Origin India North Indian Cuisine
Paneer Butter Masala is one of the most loved Indian dishes. It has a creamy tomato gravy soft paneer cubes and a warm buttery taste. You will find this dish in almost every Indian restaurant. It tastes a little sweet a little spicy and very smooth because of butter cream and cashews.
People enjoy this dish with naan roti or rice. Even beginners can make it at home when they follow the steps slowly. This recipe uses simple English so you can understand everything easily and make a tasty Indian paneer butter masala in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You Will Need
For the Gravy
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 tomatoes chopped
- 8 to 10 cashews
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- Half teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
For the Paneer
- 200 grams paneer cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon butter
For Creaminess
- 3 tablespoons cream
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional but gives smooth taste
For Garnish
- Fresh coriander chopped
Step by Step Method to Make Paneer Butter Masala
Step 1
Prepare the Base Gravy
- Heat oil and butter in a pan.
- Add chopped onions and cook until soft.
- Add ginger garlic paste and cook for one minute.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cashews.
- Stir for two to three minutes.
- Add turmeric red chilli powder garam masala and salt.
- Cook until tomatoes become soft.
The mixture should look smooth and well cooked.
Step 2
Blend the Gravy
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool.
- Blend everything into a smooth paste using a blender.
- Add a little water if needed.
The gravy should be creamy and lump free.
Step 3
Cook the Gravy Again
- Add the blended gravy back to the pan.
- Add a little water to adjust thickness.
- Cook on low heat for five to seven minutes.
- Add sugar if you want a slight sweet taste.
You will see the gravy bubbling slowly and becoming creamy.
Step 4
Add Paneer
- Heat one tablespoon butter in another pan.
- Add paneer cubes and cook lightly for one minute.
- Add these paneer cubes to the gravy.
- Stir gently so paneer stays soft.
Paneer should soak the gravy and become very flavorful.
Step 5
Add Cream and Finish
- Add cream to the gravy.
- Mix slowly.
- Cook for two to three minutes on low heat.
- Turn off the flame and add chopped coriander.
The gravy will look rich shiny and smooth.
Serve and Enjoy
Paneer Butter Masala tastes best with
- Butter naan
- Roti
- Paratha
- Jeera rice
- Plain rice
The creamy gravy and soft paneer make this dish perfect for lunch or dinner.
Tips for Perfect Paneer Butter Masala
- Use fresh paneer for soft texture
- Do not cook cream on high flame
- Blend the gravy very smooth
- Add a little sugar only if you like sweet taste
- Do not over fry paneer it becomes hard
Variations You Can Try
- Add kasuri methi for strong aroma
- Add a little honey instead of sugar
- Add more cream for extra richness
- Make it spicy by adding more chilli powder
Approximate Nutrition per Serving
Values may vary
- Calories 300 to 450
- Carbohydrates 12g
- Protein 12g
- Fat 30g
