10+ Paneer Recipes You’ll Love to Cook and Share

Paneer is a popular Indian cheese with a mild taste and firm texture. You’ll find it popping up in all sorts of dishes, making it a real kitchen staple.

You can make a variety of tasty meals using paneer, whether you like curries, snacks, or grilled dishes.

Once you learn to cook with paneer, you’ll have tons of easy, delicious recipes at your fingertips. You don’t need fancy ingredients to whip up something flavorful.

With just a few simple steps, you can bring a taste of Indian cuisine to your home.

1) Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala is creamy and rich, with soft paneer cubes in a buttery tomato sauce. The gravy comes together from tomatoes, onions, cashews, and mild spices.

It’s smooth and just a little sweet—amazing with naan or rice. You can tweak the spice level however you like, which is great if you’re cooking for kids or anyone who prefers milder food.

This dish is a North Indian favorite and a restaurant classic for a reason.

Ingredients

• 250 grams paneer (cubed)
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 10 cashews
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 cup cream
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak cashews in warm water for 15 minutes, then blend with tomatoes into a smooth paste.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a pan, sauté onions and ginger-garlic paste until golden.
3. Add the tomato-cashew paste and cook for 5-7 minutes until oil separates.
4. Stir in turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala.
5. Add paneer cubes, cook gently for 5 minutes.
6. Pour in cream and remaining butter, simmer for 2 minutes.
7. Garnish with coriander and serve warm.

Learn more about this creamy dish at Paneer Butter Masala Recipe.

2) Palak Paneer (Spinach Curry)

Palak Paneer is a classic dish with fresh spinach and paneer. Cook the spinach with spices and onions until soft, then toss in golden paneer cubes.

The curry is mild and creamy, perfect with rice or flatbreads. If you like it smoother, just blend the spinach before adding the paneer.

It’s a good way to sneak more greens into your meals, and you don’t need fancy skills to pull it off.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh spinach, washed
• 200 grams paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 green chili, chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 cup fresh cream or yogurt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds until they sizzle.
2. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and green chili. Cook until onions are soft.
3. Add turmeric and spinach. Cook until spinach wilts.
4. Blend the spinach mixture to a smooth paste (optional).
5. Return to the pan and add salt and garam masala.
6. Stir in paneer cubes and cream or yogurt. Cook gently for 5 minutes.
7. Serve hot with rice or bread.

For a detailed and easy palak paneer guide, visit this recipe.

3) Mattar Paneer (Peas with Paneer)

Mattar Paneer brings together soft paneer cubes and green peas in a gently spiced tomato gravy. You’ll get cozy flavors from onions, tomatoes, and a handful of spices.

This one’s simple enough for a weeknight but still feels special. Serve it with rice or roti—whatever you like.

The gravy usually has ginger, garlic, and garam masala for an extra kick. If you want it richer, add a splash of cream, but it’s totally optional.

Ingredients

• 2 cups paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 2 large tomatoes, pureed
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 3 tablespoons oil or ghee
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil or ghee in a pan on medium heat.
2. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
3. Stir in chopped onions and cook until golden.
4. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute.
5. Pour in tomato puree and cook until the oil separates.
6. Mix in turmeric, garam masala, and salt.
7. Add peas and a little water, then cover and cook for 5 minutes.
8. Gently fold in paneer cubes and simmer for 7-8 minutes.
9. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

4) Paneer Makhani

Paneer Makhani is all about that creamy, buttery sauce and soft paneer. The base is tomatoes, cashews, and butter, giving you a smooth, rich flavor.

You cook the tomatoes and cashews into a thick gravy, then add the paneer and let it soak up all those flavors. It’s cozy, not too spicy, and just plain satisfying.

Ingredients

• 400 g paneer, cut into cubes
• 3 large tomatoes
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak cashews in warm water for 15 minutes.
2. Blend tomatoes and cashews into a smooth paste.
3. Heat butter in a pan, add ginger-garlic paste; sauté for 1 minute.
4. Pour the paste into the pan and cook on medium heat until thick (about 10 minutes).
5. Add garam masala and salt, mix well.
6. Add paneer cubes and cream; simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Serve hot with naan or roti.

5) Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. You marinate paneer cubes in yogurt and spices, then grill them until they’re charred and smoky.

Traditionally, people use a tandoor, but honestly, your oven or stovetop grill does the trick. The marinade’s got yogurt, chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and more for that punchy flavor.

Bell peppers and onions add color and crunch. It’s a party favorite, especially with green chutney.

Ingredients:

• 500g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup thick yogurt
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp roasted gram flour (optional)
• 1-2 bell peppers, cut into pieces
• 2 large onions, cut into pieces
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix yogurt with spices, gram flour, lemon juice, and salt to make the marinade.
2. Add paneer, bell peppers, and onions to the marinade. Coat evenly.
3. Marinate for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or prepare a stovetop grill.
5. Thread paneer and vegetables onto skewers.
6. Grill or bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway, until edges are slightly charred.
7. Serve hot with green chutney.

Learn more about making paneer tikka on the indianhealthyrecipes.com site.

6) Paneer Stir-Fry with Spices

For a quick meal, try a paneer stir-fry with spices. Fry paneer cubes until golden and crispy on all sides.

Add garlic, ginger, and chili for a kick, then toss in bell peppers and onions. Cook until the veggies are just soft but still colorful.

You get a nice mix of mild paneer and warm spices. It’s light, flavorful, and doesn’t take much time.

Ingredients:

• 500 g paneer, cubed
• 1 medium red onion, sliced
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 1-2 green chilies, sliced
• 2 tablespoons oil (olive or avocado)
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat.
2. Fry paneer cubes until golden on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Add garlic, ginger, and green chilies to the pan. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add sliced onions and bell peppers. Stir-fry until slightly soft, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Mix in cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook for another minute.
6. Return paneer to the pan and toss well to coat with spices.
7. Cook for 2 more minutes. Serve warm.

7) Paneer Chilli

Paneer Chilli is a bold Indo-Chinese snack or side. You fry paneer cubes until crispy, then toss them in a spicy, tangy, slightly sweet sauce.

The sauce usually has soy sauce, vinegar, and chili sauce. You can make it dry or with a bit of gravy—totally up to you.

It’s simple, packs a punch, and goes great with fried rice or noodles.

Ingredients

• 12 oz paneer, cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup corn starch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1-2 tbsp chili sauce
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 green chili, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, corn starch, salt, pepper, and water to make a batter.
2. Dip paneer cubes in the batter.
3. Deep fry them at 350°F (175°C) until golden and crispy.
4. Heat oil in a pan.
5. Sauté onions, green chili, and bell pepper until they soften.
6. Add soy sauce, vinegar, and chili sauce.
7. Stir well to make the sauce.
8. Toss the fried paneer cubes in the sauce until they’re coated all over.
9. Serve hot as a snack or with rice or noodles.

Find more details on making Paneer Chilli at Cook With Manali.

8) Paneer Pakora

Paneer Pakora is a snack where you coat paneer cubes in a spiced chickpea flour batter. It’s crispy outside, soft inside, and goes great with chutney or ketchup.

The batter has besan (gram flour), spices like red chili powder, ajwain, and salt. Some folks toss in rice flour for more crunch.

Fry the pakoras in hot oil until they’re golden brown. If you want, try sandwich-style pakoras by putting veggies between two paneer slices before frying.

Ingredients

• 250g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 cup besan (chickpea flour)
• 2 tbsp rice flour (optional)
• 1 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for deep frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix besan, rice flour, ajwain, chili powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add water bit by bit to make a thick batter.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan.
4. Dip paneer cubes in the batter.
5. Drop them gently into the hot oil.
6. Fry until they’re golden and crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
7. Remove and drain on paper towels.
8. Serve hot with chutney or ketchup.

9) Grilled Paneer Skewers

Grilled paneer skewers are a fun, easy way to enjoy paneer. You marinate paneer cubes in yogurt and spices, then thread them onto skewers with veggies.

You can grill, bake, or even air fry them. The grilling adds a smoky flavor and a bit of char.

This dish is great for a quick snack or when you’ve got friends over. Switch up the spices if you want.

Bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes work really well here. Serve with green chutney or a squeeze of lemon for a fresh kick.

Ingredients

• 250g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 1 bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 onion, cut into chunks
• 1 tomato, cut into chunks
• Skewers (wooden or metal)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yogurt, spices, lemon juice, and salt.
2. Marinate paneer and veggies for at least 30 minutes.
3. Thread paneer and veggies onto skewers, alternating as you go.
4. Preheat grill or oven to 400°F (200°C).
5. Grill or bake for 15-20 minutes until edges get a little charred.
6. Turn skewers halfway through.
7. Serve hot with chutney or lemon wedges.

10) Paneer Bhurji (Scrambled Paneer)

Paneer Bhurji is a simple, tasty dish made from crumbled paneer. You cook it with onions, tomatoes, and a few mild spices.

It’s quick to whip up, so it’s perfect for breakfast or a light meal. Serve it with roti, paratha, or even toast.

The mix of creamy paneer and fresh veggies just works. You don’t need a bunch of ingredients, and it comes together fast.

Ingredients

• 200 grams paneer (crumbled)
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 1 medium tomato (finely chopped)
• 1 green chili (optional, chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Fresh coriander leaves (chopped)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Toss in the cumin seeds and let them crackle for a few seconds.

3. Throw in the onions and green chili. Sauté until the onions turn soft—don’t rush it.

4. Add the tomatoes next. Let them cook down until they’re soft and a bit jammy.

5. Sprinkle in turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Give everything a good stir.

6. Crumble the paneer and add it to the mix. Stir it all together and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

7. Finish with a handful of fresh coriander leaves on top before serving.