Restaurant-Style Paneer Recipes You Can Make in Minutes

Quick & Easy Indian Paneer Recipe you must try !

Paneer (paneer recipe), or Indian cottage cheese, is one of the most famous vegetarian foods in the Indian kitchen. It is protein-rich, simple to prepare, and is used in the making of curries, snacks, parathas and even biryanis.

For both novice and veteran cooks, paneer recipe is flexible enough to make restaurant-quality dishes that are simple and quick to prepare at home.

I have compiled more than 50 scrumptious paneer dishes and provided step-by-step guidance for 5 of them, which are suitable for lunch, dinner or social gatherings.

What is Paneer?

Paneer is a type of non-melting cheese which can be categorized as fresh cheese. It is made by curdling milk with vinegar, curd, or lemon juice. It is quite different from cheddar and mozzarella as it does not require aging and is commonly utilized in Indian vegetarian recipes.

Nutritional benefits of paneer:

• Good source of protein (most beneficial for vegetarians)
• High in calcium which helps in having stronger bones
• Low in carbohydrates giving an added benefit for keto dieters

How to Make Paneer at Home

Ingredients:

• 1 liter full-fat milk
• 2 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
• 2 cups cold water

Steps:

• Bring the milk to a rolling boil in a heavy-bottom pot.

• Add lemon juice or vinegar while stirring.

• The milk will curdle — turn off the heat and let it sit for 2 minutes.

• Strain using a muslin cloth and rinse under cold water.

• Tie and hang the cloth for 30 minutes to remove water.

• Press under a heavy weight for 1-2 hours to set the paneer.

About Paneer Recipes

The creamy makhani and palak gravies are beloved by many people. While these two dishes are among the most popular, there are many others that are less known but equally delicious and flavorful.

My children are big fans of any paneer dish, so I make different types of paneer recipes quite frequently. I have gathered them all here so that others can access them too. So don’t forget to bookmark this article on paneer recipes for quick access!

This post also features easy to prepare snacks and many Indian sweets such as chenna (paneer). With the help of this article, you can prepare 60 paneer recipes and cook restaurant-quality meals effortlessly using staples commonly found in your pantry. Most recipes are healthy, homemade, North Indian, and South Indian.

Many people tend to prefer buying paneer from the store. However, you can make it at home by following this post on how to make paneer. No matter which you prefer, all the recipes will work with store bought and homemade paneer. If using store bought, choose the one without any starch or additives.

In case you are a vegan, extra firm Tofu can be used in place of Indian cheese in most of these recipes. Also, cream in some of the recipes can be replaced with cashew cream or any vegan cream. For your convenience, I have categorized the 60 recipes into sections.

5 Popular Paneer Recipes (Detailed)

Below are detailed step-by-step recipes for the most loved paneer dishes.

• Paneer Butter Masala Recipe

A creamy, rich, restaurant-style curry made with paneer, tomatoes, cashews, and butter.

Ingredients:

• 200g paneer (cubed)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup onions (chopped)
• 5 cups tomatoes (chopped)
• 10 cashews
• 1 (one) tsp ginger-garlic paste
• One (1) tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
• ½ tsp garam masala
• Half (½) tsp turmeric
• ½ cup cream (or ½ cup milk for a lighter version)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add onions, and sauté until golden.
• Add tomatoes, cashews, and cook until soft.
• Cool and blend this mixture into a smooth paste.
• In the same pan, add butter and the paste, sauté for 2-3 mins.
• Add chili powder, turmeric, salt, and ½ cup water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add paneer cubes and cream. Simmer for 2 minutes on low flame.
• Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with naan or jeera rice.

This paneer butter masala is a dream for fans of Indian cuisine. Taste soft paneer soaked in a blend of buttery aromatics. With my simple methods of preparing buttery paneer, you will certainly make something far better than you could ever get from a restaurant. I make it once in a while, and I know I certainly do not order it in restaurants any longer. During meals, I like to have it with butter naan, roti, or basmati rice.

• Palak Paneer Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp garam masala
• 250g spinach leaves
• 1 green chili
• 2 tbsp ghee/oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 200g paneer (cubed)
• 2 tbsp cream (optional)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Blanch spinach in boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer to ice water.
• Blend spinach with green chili into a smooth puree.
• Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and onions. Sauté until golden.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add turmeric, garam masala, and spinach puree. Cook for 4-5 mins.
• Add paneer cubes and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Finish with cream and serve with roti or rice.

Palak Paneer is a delightful dish that has a burst of colors and is prepared by adding paneer to the spinach gravy. There are so many variations to the palak paneer recipe. With the recipe shared here, you will be able to enjoy palak paneer that is far superior to the dish served in most restaurants.

This recipe is ideal for those who want to preserve the brilliant color of their spinach. It is palak is not blanched which aids in retaining nutrients, taste, and the vibrant colors of your dish.

• Shahi Paneer Recipe

Shahi Paneer is a royal North Indian curry made with nuts, cream, and aromatic spices.

Ingredients:

• 200g paneer (cubed)
• 1 cup onions (sliced)
• 5 cups tomatoes (chopped)
• 10 cashews + 5 almonds (soaked)
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp ghee
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ cup cream
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Heat ghee in a pan, sauté onions until light brown.
• Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
• Blend with soaked nuts into a smooth paste.
• In the same pan, add the paste, turmeric, and garam masala. Cook for 3 mins.
• Add paneer and ½ cup water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add cream and cardamom powder. Mix and serve hot.

Shahi paneer is taken from the Mughlai cuisine. The term ‘shahi’ means royal or rich. Thus to make the dish rich, the addition of nuts, seeds, and cream makes the dish aromatic. While most paneer dishes incorporate tomatoes for the gravy base, this one uses yogurt or Indian curd for a mild tang.

• Paneer Tikka (Oven & Stovetop)

Paneer Tikka is a smoky, grilled snack with marinated paneer and veggies.

Ingredients:

• 200g paneer (cubed)
• ½ cup thick yogurt
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp oil
• Veggies: onion, capsicum, tomato

Instructions:

1. Mix yogurt, spices, lemon juice, and oil into a marinade.
2. Add paneer and veggies, coat well, and marinate for 30 mins.
3. Skewer and grill in oven at 200°C for 12-15 mins OR roast on a tawa.
4. Brush with butter and serve with mint chutney.

Paneer tikka masala is derived from the internationally acclaimed chicken tikka masala. In this vegetarian version, the meat is substituted with paneer, thereby transforming it into a vegetarian tikka masala. Tikka refers to a piece of paneer which is marinated and grilled. In this post, I have described both the stovetop and oven methods of grilling the tikka.

To make the dish, a thick creamy gravy is prepared, and the grilled paneer is added to it. In this post, you can also learn the dungar method (adhere to the post guidelines) for achieving an authentic tandoori smoked flavor to the dish.

• Paneer Paratha Recipe

Paneer Paratha is a whole wheat flatbread stuffed with spiced paneer.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• Water as needed
• 1 tsp salt

For stuffing:

• 1 cup grated paneer
• 1 green chili (chopped)
• ½ tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander

Instructions:

• Mix flour, salt, and water to make soft dough. Rest for 20 mins.
• Mix all stuffing ingredients in a bowl.
• Roll out a small portion of dough, place stuffing in the center, and seal.
• Roll out again and cook on a hot tawa with ghee.
• Serve hot with curd or pickle.

You can learn to make stuffed paneer paratha and the other where paneer is mixed in the dough. These parathas are great finger foods for toddlers and paneer paratha is wonderful for school lunches. Obviously, both types of paneer parathas are quite simple and quick to prepare, and taste best with yummy chutneys.

Top 10 Paneer Recipes

Restaurant Specials

A simple and delicious paneer recipe, paneer lababdar is made with boiled onions, tomatoes, spices, and red chilies to make the gravy. This boiling process gives the food a distinct flavor. Though it is a little more spicy and doesn’t contain butter, it is very similar to the butter masala. Serve this with simple basmathi, jeera rice, or phulka

Another simple but extremely delicious recipe is kadai paneer gravy, which is created with freshly ground spices called kadai masala. This dish is made especially tasty and flavorful by the use of bell pepper and kadai masala. Two kadai paneer recipes—dry and gravy—are included in this post.

A creamy and delectable malai gravy is served alongside crisp-fried paneer koftas in the well-known North Indian meal known as Malai kofta curry. Paneer, potatoes, herbs, and spices are used to make the koftas. These can be shallow-fried in a skillet, broiled in an oven, or fried.

Delicious and creamy, the malai gravy is created quite similarly to butter masala. Save this dish for a special dinner or gathering on the weekend. This recipe can be readily modified to create the white Malai kofta found in North Indian eateries. The recipe has more information.

More Paneer Gravy Recipes

Other tasty and colorful dish is Palak Paneer, which is made by combining paneer with spinach gravy. The palak paneer recipe can be prepared in a variety of ways. This recipe will produce palak paneer that is far superior to what is often provided in restaurants.

This dish is a must-try if you enjoy preserving the vivid color of your spinach. Here, palak is not blanched, preserving the nutrition, flavor, and hue of your food.

Mattar paneer is another popular North Indian restaurant-style dish. The Hindi name for green peas is matar. To make this dish, paneer and fresh or frozen peas are added to an onion tomato gravy. Once more, there are numerous methods for creating it.

I added the recipe for mutter paneer in two different methods. The first recipe is a Punjabi recipe, while the second is one of my own.

Chicken tikka masala is a popular dish that may also be made using paneer. This tikka masala is vegetarian since paneer is used in place of the beef. Tikka is a paneer piece that has been marinated and cooked. I’ve demonstrated how to grill tikka in an oven as well as on a stovetop pan in this post.

Chicken tikka masala is a popular dish that may also be made using paneer. This tikka masala is vegetarian since paneer is used in place of the beef. Tikka is a paneer piece that has been marinated and cooked. I’ve demonstrated how to grill tikka in an oven as well as on a stovetop pan in this post.

Simple dishes

Dhaba-style paneer curry is an easy, tasty, and delicious dish made by simmering marinated and fried paneer in a curry base. Nothing needs to be blended or pureed, and this recipe takes less than 45 minutes to prepare. You can serve paneer curry with roti or naan, or with plain or spiced rice.

A tasty and well-liked Punjabi paneer recipe is paneer makhani. Compared to previous paneer recipes provided here, this one is significantly easier to prepare because it doesn’t call for onions. Pureed tomatoes and cashews are cooked with spices and kasuri methi to make the makhani gravy.

One North Indian recipe with pickling spices to season the stew or gravy is Achari paneer gravy. Since the word “achar” means “pickle,” the spices used to prepare this meal are usually the same as those used to make pickles in North India. The meal is a little spicy and has a distinct flavor. Yogurt is added in place of cream in this recipe.

Paneer Appetizers

Homestyle

A tasty and quick paneer appetizer that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare is pan-fried paneer. It simply needs a few simple ingredients and is simple to prepare.

This recipe for Garlic Paneer is made at home using simple ingredients. This recipe is healthy because it doesn’t call for deep-frying, refined flour, or premade sauces. We prepare it using the handmade, fresh sauce I mentioned in the post.

It can be eaten as a snack or appetizer, or as a side dish with noodles or plain basmati rice. It can also be eaten as a paneer kathi roll by wrapping it in roti.

Restaurant Style Snacks

A popular Indo-Chinese snack, restaurant-style chilli paneer is made by tossing crisp paneer in hot, sour, and sweet chilli sauce. This meal is typically consumed with hakka noodles and is more commonly referred to be a street food.

This meal comes in three different forms: gravy, semi-dry, and dry chilli paneer recipes. Along with a ton of advice on how to make the food healthier, I have also given how to make both. Paneer can be shallow-fried, grilled, or pan-fried.

In Indian restaurants, Paneer Tikka is the most popular vegetarian appetizer or starter. Indian cheese is coated in spicy yogurt and then expertly grilled to create this meal. Originally, tikkas were cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor, which gives the meal a smokey scent. This dish may be made at home, though, by grilling it on a skillet or baking it in an oven.

Indo-Chinese chili paneer and paneer manchurian are very similar. To give the paneer a crisp texture, it is first batter-fried. After that, they are mixed with a delectable Manchurian sauce. Typically, paneer manchurian is served alongside fried rice or vegetable noodles. In this post, I have shared the sultry version. The cheese can also be grilled or pan-fried for a healthy option.

with paneer and schezwan sauce, another popular Indian-Chinese dish is Spicy Schezwan Paneer. Although schezwan sauce is used, this dish is prepared quite similarly to chilli paneer and paneer manchurian. Schezwan peppers are used to make the tasty and fiery schezwan sauce.

You don’t need any prepared schezwan sauce to create this recipe. For this dish, I’ve explained how to prepare the sauce from scratch.

South Indian Special

A tasty, crispy, and mildly spiced snack, paneer 65 is created by combining curry leaves, curd, and tempering spices with crispy paneer. It is an adaptation of the well-known chicken 65 from South India. This meal has a distinct curry leaf scent and is quite tasty.

This is something you should definitely try if you’re looking for new paneer recipes. Serve it with any South Indian dish as a side dish.

Paneer Snacks & Sides

These snacks are great to serve as an evening tea time snack along with your masala tea or filter coffee.

Fried snacks

Indian cheese, spices, and gram flour are used to make paneer pakora, a snack. These Indian cottage cheeses are made by deep-frying them after dipping them in a spicy gram flour batter. These crispy fried pakoras have a tender inside and go well with red garlic or mint chutney. For your evening snack, try this easy paneer recipe, which takes less than twenty-five minutes to prepare.

A vegetarian snack from North India, dahi kabab is made with yogurt, paneer, gram flour, and spices. The texture of these dahi kababs is melt-in-your-mouth soft on the inside and extremely crisp on the outside. The greatest accompaniment to these delectable treats is mint chutney.

Little pieces of Indian cheese are battered, breaded, and fried to create golden, crisp, and delectable popcorn in this entertaining, kid-friendly paneer recipe. These make a great party snack and are mildly spicy. It tastes best with yogurt sauce, ketchup, or green chutney.

Non-fried Paneer Dishes

• If you want cheesy snacks, you must try this recipe for Paneer Cheese Toast. These make a fantastic party snack and are quite tasty. Paneer, mozzarella cheese, Indian spices, and herbs are used to make these. They can be prepared in an oven or on a stovetop pan. Sandwiches can be made with the same recipe.
• Make a paneer sandwich in three different ways. My children prefer sandwiches with paneer. I usually  prepare them for their snack and breakfast. In the post, I’ve included three simple paneer dishes that are kid-friendly. Even toddlers will enjoy these; you can skip the sauce or substitute pesto or green chutney.
• sandwich with paneer bhurji in ten minutes. What may be prepared using paneer in less than ten minutes, you ask? Then you must try this paneer recipe. The simplicity and sweetness of this recipe, which is made with common cupboard items, will wow you.
• As a kid-friendly snack, paneer cutlet is one of the first paneer dishes I shared on the blog. These pan-fried patties are crispy, cheesy, and golden brown. In addition, this dish calls for fresh herbs, spices, and veggies.
• These are most effective warm or hot, either plain or with green chutney. These also work well in the school box for the youngsters. They can also be grilled in an oven.
• Crumbled paneer, peas, spices, and herbs are used to make bread paneer rolls. These spiced paneer cigars are made by stuffing it inside bread. These can be baked, deep-fried till crisp, pan-fried, or shallow-fried. The best way to enjoy these is hot, with chutney or tea. The recipe is suitable for children and can be modified for adults.

If you enjoyed the rich flavors of this paneer dish, you can take it to the next level by pairing it with freshly baked naan.

Click here for the perfect naan recipe