Paneer Butter Masala (Paneer Makhani) Recipe, Popular restaurant style paneer butter masala made easily at home. Paneer butter masala also known as butter paneer is a thick, rich and creamy tomato based curry in which paneer cubes is fried and soaked. You can serve it with naan, roti, pulao or jeera pulao.
Paneer Butter Masala
This is a simple recipe which I go for all the time. It is a very popular recipe in my home. My kids love it so much and I make it very often.
Jump to:
Paneer butter masala take a major part in my dinner menu. Since paneer butter masala is little sweet, I like to pair it with roti, naan or pulao.
What is paneer butter masala?
Paneer butter masala also known as butter paneer is a thick, rich and creamy tomato based curry in which paneer cubes is fried and soaked. This curry is little sweet and not that spicy at all.
This is a popular recipe in any restaurants similar to kadai paneer, shahi paneer, palak paneer and malai kofta.
About Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer butter masala is favourite recipe of many people. It may be butter chicken for non veg lovers, but paneer butter masala has a special place in many peoples heart.
This is my favourite recipe for paneer butter masala. I make it very often for my family. It taste amazing and is easy to make as well. Making butter paneer is pretty easy too. First make a paste out of onions and tomatoes. Then fry cubed paneer in oil till golden.
Similar Recipes,
Now prepare a masala in butter. Sizzle some cumin seeds and cook the onion tomato masala along with spice powders, salt and sugar. Cook till oil separates.
Add paneer cubes and toss well in the masala. Add in cream, kasuri methi leaves and coriander leaves.
Rich, thick, creamy butter paneer is ready to serve with some hot naan or parathas. I get many queries of making this recipe in instant pot. It is very simple to make it in instant pot.
Ingredients
- Paneer - A great tasting paneer butter masala needs soft paneer. I like to use homemade paneer in my paneer butter masala for best taste. Paneer made in home is so soft and moist than store bought ones.
- Onion & Tomatoes - You can entirely skip the addition of onion in this recipe. But I love the flavour of onions. You can chop the onions very finely and saute them first instead of grinding with tomatoes. You can use store bought tomato puree instead of fresh tomatoes in which case you might need to add little extra sugar to balance the taste.
- Butter- You can use salted or unsalted butter in the gravy. Finishing the gravy with a knob of butter adds a buttery taste to your end product.
- Cream vs Milk - Cream gives the richness to the gravy, usually i have homemade cream in the freezer which I use for gravies like this. You can use milk which is mixed with little cornstarch for a little thickness.
- Cashew - for me the secret ingredient is cashews. it adds the creamy texture.
- Kasuri Methi Leaves - Dried fenugreek leaves or kasuri methi leaves is prominent aroma for any north indian gravies. Make sure you don't over do, else your gravy may taste bitter.
Step by Step Pictures
Grinding Masala
1)Heat oil in a pan. Add in peeled and sliced onions and saute for 2 mins until the raw smell leaves from the onions.
2)Now add in tomatoes and cashews into the sauted onions. No need to cut them into small pieces, big chunks is fine. Since we are going to grind them anyway. Also instead of cashews you can use almonds too.
3)Saute until onions, tomatoes gets slightly mushy and cooked. It will take around 5 minutes. Once it is cooked, turn off the heat and allow this mixture to cool completely.
4)Take the mix in a blender jar and make it into a smooth puree. You can add some water if needed.
Make Base Sauce
5)Now we are going to make the base. Heat butter in a pan.
6)Add in cumin seeds and let them splatter.
7)Add in ginger garlic paste and green chillies. Saute until the raw smell leaves from it.
8)Add in the pureed tomato masala. Mix that with the spices.
9)Add in Kashmiri chilli powder, cumin powder and garam masala powder.
10)Cook for couple of minutes until the raw smell leaves from the mix.
11)Now pour some water to form a gravy.
12)Season the gravy with salt.
13)Add sugar to taste. paneer butter masala tends to be on the sweeter side. So taste and add required amount of sugar.
Adding Paneer
14)Add in cubed paneer. I used fresh paneer, so I didn't fry it. If you prefer, you can fry the paneer separately in oil before adding into the sauce.
15)Mix the paneer into the sauce and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
Finishing Touches
16)Add in kasuri methi leaves, which adds wonderful flavour to the gravy.
17)Add in butter and mix well.
18)Pour in cream. This is optional, but for restaurant style taste, you need to add cream.
19)Mix in coriander leaves.
20)Serve paneer butter masala with rice or naan.
Expert Tips
Paneer vs Tofu - Instead of paneer you can use tofu as well.
Take your time - Make sure you cook the onions and tomatoes till it is well cooked. It enhances the flavour.
Butter in your Paneer Masala - If you don't want to use too much butter in this curry, start by cooking the curry in oil and add a knob of butter in the end. I prefer using unsalted butter in the curry. You could use any butter you prefer. Traditionally white butter (makhan) is used.
Finishing Touches - Instead of cream, You can use milk which is mixed with little cornstarch for a little thickness. Don't be stingy in kasuri methi leaves. It adds the aroma which a paneer butter masala needs.
Serving Suggestions- Paneer butter masala is best served with rice, pulao and any indian bread. Pulao Recipes, Naan Recipes and Roti Recipes
Instant Pot Butter Paneer
- Set instant pot to saute mode.Add in oil and fry paneer till light golden. Drain and set aside in a bowl.
- Heat butter and add cumin seeds. Let them sizzle.
- Pour in ground onion tomato masala. Cook till raw smell leaves. it will take around 10 mins or so. If the masala gets stuck to the bottom, add little hot water and scrape the pan.
- In goes spice powders and mix well. Add salt and sugar. Mix well.
- Add in the paneer cubes and water. Cover and cook for 10 mins.
- Lastly you can add cream and kasuri methi leaves. mix well and add coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with roti or naan.
FAQ
One of the question which I get often "should I fry paneer or not?. Personally I think homemade fresh paneer needs no frying, you can slice them up and use them directly in curries. Some store bought paneer has weird smell which can be eliminated through frying. In case you want to fry your paneer, this is how you do it.
Cube paneer into small pieces. Heat oil for frying, add paneer cubes and shallow fry them till light golden. Make sure you stir them in between for even colour. Strain the fried paneer and immerse them in warm water till use. When adding to gravy, strain the paneer and add to curries.
Paneer tikka masala is on the spicier side and butter paneer is more mild and sweet. I prefer tikka masala to be served with roti and on the other hand this can be served with naan. Here is the recipe for paneer tikka masala.
Variations & Alternatives
Cream adds the rich creamy texture in this recipe. You can use low fat cream or milk in this recipe.
Reduce butter and cream quantity to make this healthy. Also instead of cream you can use milk.
Substitute paneer with tofu to make this vegan. Use firm tofu or extra firm tofu. Don't use silken tofu. You can deep the tofu before using.
Yes you can skip butter with ghee, oil or any fat as you prefer. But butter is what adds flavour to the curry.
📖 Get Recipe
Paneer Butter Masala Recipe (Restaurant Style)
Ingredients
- 200 grams Paneer
To Saute & Grind
- 1 large Onion chopped
- 4 large Tomato chopped
- 10 Cashews
- 1 tablespoon Oil
To Make Gravy
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 teaspoon Shahi jeera
- 2 teaspoon Ginger garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon Kashmiri chilli powder
- 2 teaspoon Cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon Garam masala powder
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- Salt to taste
Finishing touches for gravy
- ¼ cup Cream
- 1 tablespoon Kasuri methi leaves
- 3 tablespoon Coriander leaves finely chopped
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan. Add in onions and saute for 2 mins. Add in cashews and tomatoes and cook till mushy. Take this in a blender and puree till smooth.
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter and Add in cumin seeds, ginger garlic paste and let them sizzle. Add in pureed onion tomato masala and saute till oil separates.
- Sprinkle in spice powders, salt, sugar and mix well.
- Add in cubed paneer and water and bring it to a boil. Simmer for 5 mins.
- Drizzle in fresh cream, kasuri methi leaves and coriander leaves. Finally add in 1 tablespoon butter and mix well and Serve.
Video
Notes
Instant Pot Butter Paneer
- Set instant pot to saute mode.Add in oil and fry paneer till light golden. Drain and set aside in a bowl.
- Heat butter and add cumin seeds. Let them sizzle.
- Pour in ground onion tomato masala. Cook till raw smell leaves. it will take around 10 mins or so. If the masala gets stuck to the bottom, add little hot water and scrape the pan.
- In goes spice powders and mix well. Add salt and sugar. Mix well.
- Add in the paneer cubes and water. Cover and cook for 10 mins.
- Lastly you can add cream and kasuri methi leaves. mix well and add coriander leaves. Serve hot with roti or naan.
Serving Suggestions
Paneer butter masala is best served with rice, pulao and any indian bread.Nutrition
Tried this Recipe
Mention @yummytummyaarthi or tag #yummytummyaarthi!If you have any questions not covered in this post and if you need help, leave me a comment or mail me @aarthi198689@gmail.com and I'll help as soon as I can.
Follow me on Instagram, Facebook,Pinterest ,Youtube for more Yummy Tummy inspiration.
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE OR ANYTHING FROM YUMMY TUMMY, MAKE SURE TO POST IT AND TAG ME SO I CAN SEE ALL OF YOUR CREATIONS!! #YUMMYTUMMYAARTHI AND @YUMMYTUMMYAARTHI ON INSTAGRAM!
mubeen
Is the cream used sour cream..can you name exactly the cream..
Aarthi
No dear that is not sour cream,it is fresh cream or also known as whipping cream...You could also use full fat milk in this...
Deeksha
looks very inviting. yummy!
Chitra
yummy paneer butter masala....
Laney
Ohhh I love paneer! This looks amazing and its actually a little easier to make than I thought (I always imagine that a million different types of spices go into Indian food). Hopefully I can find a store to get all the ingredients so I can try to make it at home!!
MyKitchen Flavors-BonAppetit!.
Paneer Butter Masala luks super-delicious and mouthwatering dear.Luv the recipe too.
Emily of The Best of this Life
Oh my goodness! So glad you all survived the fire!
This looks like an appetizing dish - lovely photos!
Rekha shoban
healthy n delicious paneer butter masala!!
Rekha shoban
healthy n delicious paneer butter masala!!
Nalini's Kitchen
One of my fav...looks so flavorful and tempting.
Sharmilee! :)
Creamy and yummy curry, perfect with rotis
SavithaRaj's Spice Land
Nice presentation..
Nisa Homey
Aarthi, thanks for dropping by...and for the lovely thought..what a wonderful space u have dear...and this tempting one is bookmarked!! happy to follow u dear.
Anonymous
I tried your recipe. I got a lot of compliments. Thanks.
kailash
yr pictorial is really superb
Sujitha
Thanks for this recipe ..I tried this today , but noticed that milk curdled at the end..Am I missing something here? Thanks !
Aarthi
@Sujitha I think you must have boiled it for a little longer. After adding milk just boil it for 5 mins.
Anonymous
Hi,tried ur recipe.is the milk should be boiled and cooled before adding.we found a bit sour taste in the dish.need to add more sugar r anything else.girija
Rakshith M
It serves for two people or three people
Aarthi
@Rakshith Mit will serve upto 3 people
Unknown
We had a get together in our church today.. I made this for nearly 20 ppl and the result was awesome. . Everyone appreciated me. Thanks a lot for d nice recipe.. god bless u
Anonymous
It is mouth watering will try it on sunday. Is it possible to skip milk
Aarthi
@AnonymousYou can add cream instead, but you cannot skip both. Because that what gives the creaminess.
priya s
Wer can v find tis kasuri methi leaves... Actually wat is tat..
Aarthi
@priya sU can find this any indian supermarket
Anonymous
Hi I have tried this recipe, really it is awesome keep go! Looking for other recipes with same explanation method. Pictures with comment for each step is very gud and clear. It is more and more useful for persons who is new to kitchen!
Thank you
shoba bala
Hi. Tried your recipe today. Very nice!
Anonymous
Ur recipes are as usual so yummy....keep it up aarti....I tried this....it came out yummy....
Anonymous
Hi aarthi, all ur recipes are yumm... well just want to make a suggestion. This recipe s yummier with tomato puree instead of onion n tomato
Anonymous
Is it necessary to add Cream?Without cream will it be tasty?
Anonymous
What will be the taste type?Is it sweet or spicy...Why because we are adding tomato,milk and butter....all are different in taste...
Aarthi
@AnonymousIt will be sweet, spicy tangy all in one..
Aarthi
@Anonymouscream makes it more rich, you can add milk mixed with some cornflour instead of cream
Anonymous
Hai arthi sister,
I'm very interest to cooking new receipes.this website very useful for me.
Unknown
Coconut milk can be used instead of cream????
Aarthi
@UnknownCoconut milk will totally change the taste completely
Anonymous
Hiii Aarthi... Thanks for ur recipes..☺ U r doing a gr8 job.. Could u pls tell d exact quantity of paneer u had added. I hv a pckt of 400g with me. Pls tell how much should I take for d abv recipe...
Anonymous
Thanks a lot for ur detailed recipes with pictures Aarthi...
Is kasurimethi leaves a must for d recipe. Can I add basil leaves, curry leaves or bay leaves instead of it.
Aarthi
@AnonymousNo kasuri methi is must. It gives the unique flavour
Anonymous
Hii Aarthi.. Thanks for your recipes.. Pls mention the exact quantity of paneer (number of cubes) used in the recipe..
Aarthi
@AnonymousIt is around 200 grams
Anonymous
Tried it today . This is a easy one and also yummy. Thanks Aarthi for this wondeful recipe.
Rajesh Kumar
Great recipe...thanks for sharing. I tired it few weeks back it came out really great. My hubby liked it the most, this one surely goes to my favorite recipes 🙂
restaurants in south delhi
sarjana
Ooolalala....very tastety and flavour full its same luk we get in Punjabi hotel ..
Anonymous
hi can you please tell me how to make cream with milk and cornflour with exact quantity.please
Aarthi
@AnonymousTake 1/2 cup of milk and add 1 tsp of corn flour in it.
aparna kalyanam
Hi Aarthi, i tried this recipe now. It came out well, but i added milk without boiling. Will the curry spoil after a while?
Thank u 🙂
Aarthi
@aparna kalyanamno it wont spoil.
Anonymous
Hello Aarthiji instead of milk can I use yogurt?
Aarthi
@Anonymousyogurt may get separated. So use milk or cream
Dhiraj Kumar
Lovely Receipe, such a pleaser this recipe is 🙂
Chowringhee Kathi Roll
Chinese Restaurants
I have never tasted this roti. Looks really yummy and bookmarked right away. will be trying..
Chinese Restaurants in Rajendra Nagar
Mona Jha
Kathiroll is one of my favourites! Yours looks great 🙂 I make it often as i never manage to set paneer properly and get a crumbled one, making it perfect for this! chowringhee kathi roll
chowringhee
Simply awesome and delicious looking Wonderfully prepared.
restaurant in laxmi nagar
Zahra Fazna
Hi dear I tried ur recipe today...it was came out well..my husband love it..thnku aarthi..pls update more...
Anushka Sharma
I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog!….. I’ll be checking in on a regularly now….Keep up the good work restaurant in rajendra nagar
Bhagyashree
Aarthi i tried your recipe... and it was really yummy ... my family loved it tooo.. as am a beginner.. it was a grt experience... i insist every1 should try this... thank you soo much aarthi...
Anu Priya
Best Recipe. I loved it. Thanks for sharing the wonderful recipe with us. Buy Spices Online
Anonymous
Is it necessary to add methi leaves? What is the use of it?- jeni
Aarthi
@Anonymousmethi gives that nice flavour
hemaxi
which particular brand garam masala should i use to get tahat perfect taste. as there are various brandsellers....
Aarthi
@hemaxiu can use aachi
Anonymous
Tried this recipe twice and it came out very well..keep rocking Arthi..
Anonymous
@Aarthi
"add in fried paneer pieces and mix well..Ass fresh cream and chopped coriander leaves
"
@aarthi, there was a typo in the above description. "Add"
Aarthi
@Anonymousthank you, edited it
Ayshwarya Singh
Congratulations! I love the way you introduce your recipes with the people. I love to cook but I´m learning with my new camera and with my laptop. whatever thanks for sharing the beautiful food details i will try to prepare that king of food.fresh food delivery services
Anonymous
Is it fried or boiled paneer
Anonymous
One more doubt can v make any substitute for paneer
Unknown
hi aarthi.....thnx for being there..i use to follow ur recipes and thnx to u all comes out so perfect...thnku
madhu
Awesome recipe....perfect taste...happy happy.....tummy happy....👌👍
Tanisha Singh
Thanks, this year you get lot of opportunity and share more foodie blog and its recipe.restaurant in satya niketan delhi
darkinspiration
Hi, I really like your site. seeing pictures and cooking is easy. Keep it up.
I made the butter paneer. I used the puree instead of making it from the tomato, so it became tangy. how to remove the tanginess? Also I added milk instead of cream as I didn't have cream. Its a bit sweet. So don't want to add sugar more.
Sumathy
Thank you. Let me try this. Will get back to u.
Deepa V
This is the first time am preparing paneer receips and it came out yummy and delicious arthi. Thanku arthi..
Arul
Thanks for this yummy recipe! Gives a restaurant authentic taste indeed! Was mouth watering
Arjun
This paneer butter masala is looking very delicious and very tasty, thanks for sharing your amazing recipe.
Kalpana
Awesome and easy
Sahana
What cream is this? Is it whipping cream means?
How to make cream.....
And how to make (milk with cour flour) in this we want to boil the milk ?
Pallavi crm
Hi mam u r all recipes are so simple I like that, and so simple ingredients make it easy for cooking mam lots of thanks for u mam thanku so much
srimayyia
Thank you so much for the much awaited recepie. been waiting for it so long. keep going on with the amazing recepies.Sri mayyia caterers are the most trusted online platform where you will find only verified and most popular veg catering services listing. A wedding or any occasion that celebrates a family requires the best services as you share your joy with your nearest and dearest ones. Only Sri mayyia caterers connect you with the best service providers who can make any occasion more special. choose the best one, who is most suited for you.
Brigida Franklin
Very clear explanation
9mantra.com
I appreciate the deliciously detailed article on Paneer Butter Masala on your website. It not only tantalized my taste buds but also gave me valuable insights into the rich history and preparation of this beloved dish.