Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (2024)

by VegeCravings

Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (1)

4.80 from 105 votes

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Paneer Butter MasalaorButter Paneeris a traditional Punjabi recipe in which soft pieces of Paneer are cooked in rich creamy butter & tomato gravy.

Paneer is a type of fresh cheese common in Indian subcontinent, and Paneer butter masala is one of the most popular Paneer recipes in Indian cuisine. It is one of the most ordered dishes in Indian restaurants and has gained much popularity throughout the world.

The dish is characterized by rich and aromatic gravy made by using tomato puree, onion paste, cashew paste, and some essential Indian spices. The near perfect combination of spiciness and creaminess of its gravy coupled with lightly fried Paneer cubes makes this dish sumptuous.

The looks of the dish are exotic and its tastes yummy. Paneer Butter Masala though very popular in restaurants is not a dish which is made frequently in Indian homes as it is bit higher on the calorie scale. This makes this dish more appropriate for occasional treats, special events, celebrations, gathering and parties.

Paneer Butter Masala pairs very well with most Indian Breads like Rotis, Naan, Tandoori Roti, Paratha etc. as well as with Rice varieties likeVeg Pulao,Jeera Riceor even plain rice.

To make Paneer Butter Masala at home take a look at the video or follow the detailed step by step recipe posted below.

See more related recipes like:

  • Kadai Paneer Gravy– paneer cooked in spicy gravy
  • Dry Kadai Paneer– dry version of kadai paneer
  • Paneer Tikka Masala– marinated & grilled paneer in gravy
  • Matar Paneer– peas & paneer curry
  • Paneer Makhani– paneer cooked in buttery tomato gravy
  • Paneer Capsicum Masala– panner & capsicum in gravy
  • Methi Malai Paneer– fenugreek & paneer curry
  • Palak Paneer– paneer in spinach curry
  • Malai Kofta– fried paneer dumplings in gravy
  • Stuffed Tomato– paneer stuffed tomatoes in gravy

Suggested recipe collections :

  • Paneer Recipes | 25 Easy Indian Paneer Recipes
  • Indian Curry Recipes | List of 36 Indian Vegetarian Gravies
  • Indian Sabzi Recipes | 20 Dry Vegetables | Sookhi Sabji

Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (2)

Paneer Butter Masala Recipe

Paneer Butter Masala is made by cooking soft pieces of Paneer in a rich, creamy and aromatic gravy made of butter, onions & tomatoes.

4.80 from 105 votes

Recipe Info

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 4

Category Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Video

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Ingredients For Paneer Butter Masala Recipe

  • 1 Large Onion
  • 2 Large Tomatoes
  • 250 Gram Paneer
  • 4-5 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Inch Piece of Ginger
  • 15-20 Cashew Nuts (Kaju)
  • 1 Tablespoon Cream
  • 1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
  • 2-3 Green Cardamom (Hari Elaichi)
  • 1 Inch Dalchini (Cinnamon Stick)
  • 3-4 Laung (Cloves)
  • 1 Bay Leaf (Tej Patta)
  • 1 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
  • 2 Teaspoons Coriander Powder (Dhaniya Powder)
  • 1 Teaspoon Garam Masala
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
  • 1 Teaspoon Sugar or 1 Teaspoon Honey, optional
  • 1 Tablespoon Kasoori Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves)
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter

Step By Step Instructions for Paneer Butter Masala Recipe

  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a pan. Add cumin seeds and fry them on low heat till they start to splutter.

    1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera)

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (3)

  • Add green cardamom (choti elaichi), cinnamon (dalchini) and cloves (laung) to butter. Fry on low flame them for a minute.

    2-3 Green Cardamom (Hari Elaichi), 1 Inch Dalchini (Cinnamon Stick), 3-4 Laung (Cloves)

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  • Add chopped ginger and garlic cloves to the pan and cook for a minute.

    1 Inch Piece of Ginger, 4-5 Garlic Cloves

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  • Add chopped onions and fry them till they turn translucent. There is no need to brown the onions.

    1 Large Onion

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  • Add chopped tomatoes and cook them till they become soft.

    2 Large Tomatoes

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  • Add cashews to the mixture. If you want you can roast the cashews separately before adding them.

    15-20 Cashew Nuts (Kaju)

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  • Add 1 teaspoon salt along with 1 cup of water.

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (9)

  • Cover with a lid and cook for 15-20 minutes till the mixture becomes soft.

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (10)

  • Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and make a smooth fine paste. You can pass the paste through a sieve to remove the skin of the tomatoes and any other chunks.

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (11)

  • Again heat 1 tablespoon butter in a pan and add bay leaf (tej patta) and red chilli powder to it. Fry it for a few seconds. This will give a nice color to the gravy.

    1 Bay Leaf (Tej Patta), 1 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (12)

  • Add the onion tomato paste to the pan and mix it with the red chilli powder. Cook for a couple of minutes.

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (13)

  • Add garam masala, coriander powder (dhania powder) and turmeric powder (haldi) to the mixture.

    2 Teaspoons Coriander Powder (Dhaniya Powder), 1 Teaspoon Garam Masala, 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi)

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (14)

  • Also add some sugar to the gravy. Adding sugar is optional but it gives a nice taste to the gravy. You can also replace sugar with honey.

    1 Teaspoon Sugar or 1 Teaspoon Honey, optional

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  • Now add cream to the gravy and mix everything well. The cream will give a richness to the gravy. If you want to skip it you can use a little bit of milk instead.

    1 Tablespoon Cream

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (16)

  • Sprinkle some crushed dry fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi). Finally add the paneer cubes and cook everything for 3-4 minutes. If you want you can fry the paneer cubes very slightly before adding them.

    1 Tablespoon Kasoori Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves)

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  • Paneer Butter Masala is ready. You can garnish it with chopped coriander, shredded paneer or a drizzle of cream. Serve it hot with any Indian bread like naan, missi roti, lachha paratha or with some rice preparation like jeera rice.

    Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (18)

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Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - VegeCravings (2024)

FAQs

Is paneer butter masala good for diet? ›

Since paneer is low in carbs and high in protein it gets digested slowly and hence good for diabetes. Potassium in paneer helps to reduce the effect of high sodium, by lowering blood pressure and contraction of blood vessels, resulting in improved heart health and reduced risk of heart attack.

What is the difference between paneer masala and paneer butter masala? ›

What is the difference between paneer butter masala and paneer tikka masala? Paneer butter masala is essentially cooked in butter, has a smooth silky curry to which raw paneer is added. But paneer tikka masala is made with grilled paneer and is predominantly spicy and has some texture in the curry.

What to use instead of cashews in paneer butter masala? ›

Butter: Use good quality butter. You can use either unsalted or salted, yellow or white butter so long as it is fresh and of good quality. Replacement for cashews: If you don't have cashews, then the best alternative is almonds.

How to reduce sweetness in paneer butter masala? ›

Here're A Few Tips To Reduce Sweetness From Curries:
  1. Add Lime Juice. Adding a sour tasting ingredient such as lime juice helps add another layer of flavour to the dish. ...
  2. Increase The Quantity. You can dilute the sweetness of your curry by increasing the ratio of other ingredients. ...
  3. Add Yogurt. ...
  4. Make It Spicy.
Oct 4, 2022

Is it okay to eat paneer every day? ›

I advise consuming approximately 100 grams of paneer (cottage cheese) daily. However, it is important to avoid excessive consumption as it may lead to abdominal issues. Paneer contains micronutrients that play major biological activities necessary for our healthy growth.

Is paneer healthier than tofu? ›

Tofu takes the upper hand in the tofu vs paneer comparison as a beneficial source of plant compounds (e.g. isoflavones), which cannot be provided with paneer. In addition, it is a healthier option for two main reasons: Health benefits: The isoflavones-rich protein is considered to help prevent certain diseases.

Should you fry paneer before adding to curry? ›

Paneer is already cooked.

So it's not essential that you cook it prior to adding to curry. Some people like a golden brown colour on the outside. If you like, you can shallow fry, deep fry, or grill paneer before adding it to a curry. This will create a golden crust on the outside.

What is the substitute for cream in paneer butter masala? ›

How do I make paneer butter masala vegan? It's important to use canned coconut milk (preferably full fat) to add the right thick creaminess to this dish. The coconut cream that I mentioned earlier will be the perfect vegan substitute for regular cream; and, paneer can be substituted with baked tofu.

How many people can eat 1 kg paneer butter masala? ›

Normally, 1 kg of Paneer butter masala curry is sufficient for 4–5 people.

How much paneer for 4 people? ›

For four people paneer required is —200 gm. For 50 people paneer required will be 2 kg.

What is a vegetarian substitute for paneer? ›

Tofu. Made from soybeans, Tofu is the Best Vegan substitute for Paneer. Tofu doesn't taste like paneer though, it has a similar crumbly texture and is mildly flavored.

What is the closest nut to a cashew? ›

Almonds are the most similar to cashews. They can be used in trail mix, granola, vegan cheese recipes, cream sauces, and made into milk. What is the best way to replace cashews in vegan cream sauces? If you're going for a nut-free alternative, try silken tofu or cauliflower for a cream sauce.

What is the difference between Kadai paneer and paneer butter masala? ›

Kadai paneer is spicier than the other two as there is the addition of freshly prepared kadai masala in it. Whereas shahi paneer and paneer butter masala are more rich and creamy and sweet in taste. Also, shahi paneer is prepared with dry fruits like cashew and almonds without having any tomatoes in it.

What to do if paneer butter masala is too spicy? ›

Top five ways to make a curry or chilli less spicy
  1. More vegetables. ...
  2. Coconut milk or cream. ...
  3. Lemon, lime or vinegar. ...
  4. Yogurt or soured cream. ...
  5. Sugar or ketchup.
Dec 21, 2020

What to do if salt is more in paneer butter masala? ›

Fresh cream: Add cream to your dish to neutralize the effect of salt. It it will make the curry creamier and you won't feel the taste of excessive salt. 4. Boiled potato: You can also add boiled potatoes to your curry and leave it as it is in the curry.

Is it OK to eat paneer during weight loss? ›

A diet high in protein can benefit from paneer instead of meat. Because of its high protein and low carbohydrate content, paneer is an ideal diet food for weight loss. Salads, curries, vegetable dishes, and snacks can all be prepared using paneer.

Is paneer tikka masala good for weight loss? ›

Paneer, although high in fats and calories, is also a high-protein and low-carb food that could work well for weight loss if consumed the right way. Paneer tikka is a popular starter wherein cottage cheese is marinated in curd and spices and cooked inside a tandoor without any oil with some roasted capsicum and onions.

How many calories are in paneer masala? ›

One serving of Paneer Masala gives 298 calories. Out of which carbohydrates comprise 38 calories, proteins account for 34 calories and remaining calories come from fat which is 226 calories.

How many calories are in 1 cup of paneer butter masala? ›

Homemade Paneer Butter Masala (1 cup) contains 29g total carbs, 26g net carbs, 27g fat, 12g protein, and 389 calories.

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