Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (2024)

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Delicious and creamyMatar Paneer Recipe with step by step photos. A North Indian dish, one of the most popular paneer recipes across that is loved by one and all. Fresh peas and soft paneer cubes simmered in luscious creamy onion, tomato and cashew nut gravy.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (1)

Paneer! When we think about this element, there are great number of recipes that comes to our mind.

And it would not be wrong to say that paneer dishes are one of the most liked vegetarian Indian food across the country.

Or I should say, now, globally! Isn't it?

There are few recipes that are really important to me. Especially, palak paneer, Chicken tikka masala, Paneer Makhanwala, Dal makhani, Paneer butter masala and mutter paneer.

These Indian recipes are truly exceptional. Not even one occasion has passed when these recipes had disappointed me, my family or my guests.

So, today, I am sharing my fool proof matar paneer recipe with all you my readers and followers.

What Is Matar Paneer?

Matar Paneer is a beautiful medley of green peas and paneer cubes in rich creamy onion tomato cashew nut gravy.

A smooth silky fine gravy of Indian cottage cheese and peas dish indeed has a delightful flavours to hit your taste buds just right.

It is a wonderful Punjabi style smoky dish that do not require any exotic ingredients. And it tastes exactly like how we enjoy it at restaurants or dhabas.

Do you know that this simple yet tasty dish is surprisingly very easy and is ready under 30 minutes? Yes, it takes flat 30 minutes from start to finish.

Planning to serve something truly delicious and quick?

Then this dish is the hero to reach you dinner table on time. And, definitely it will be at your table more often. So, that you enjoy it with your family and friends.

I particularly love this recipe very much and it is very close to my heart.

This Matar Paneer

is great recipe to go on the menu for parties, weddings or get togethers.

tastes just like your favorite restaurant or dhabas.

is easy and can be put together in 30 minutes.

can be made vegan. (Skip paneer, ghee and cream, use tofu, plant based oil and cream)

is gluten free.

can be made easily without onion and garlic.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (2)

Tips and variations

The taste of this dish simply the best with the use of fresh peas and fresh paneer cubes. So, if possible, consider making malai paneer at home. If not, then definitely the store bought one will work fine.

Chef Tip: I usually, add fresh paneer cubes in good warm water for 20 minutes before adding it to any gravy. This helps in keeping paneer soft preventing it to become chewy or rubbery. So, do this step religiously and you will never regret, I bet!

You can use frozen peas, if the fresh ones are unavailable or are not in season.

Always use firm ripe red tomatoes for the recipe. Further, I like to add 1 tablespoon of tomato puree for intense restaurant like taste and flavor.

You can add, honey instead of sugar, if you wish to. The addition of honey or sugar in combination with lemon gives a subtle flavour of tanginess as well as sweetness to the dish.

Also, do you know that addition of little sugar enhances the appeal and taste of the dish? Yes, so do not forget to add it to the recipe of matar paneer or any other rich dishes.

I like to use cashew nuts for smooth and creamy texture and richness. But, if you are allergic, then you can usealmonds instead of cashew nuts.

For dhaba style smoky flavour, I would highly recommend you to give charcoal smoke or dhungar to the dish at the end.

An optional step of dhungar will enhance the over all aura of the dish, so consider doing it.

Freezing the gravy

One of the plus point of this recipe is, after the gravy is cooked, you can freeze them in a clean airtight container. You can store it for good 2-3 months.

When you are ready to cook, thaw the gravy on the counter and reheat it. Add blanched peas and cook for few minutes.

Finally, finish the dish by adding paneer cubes, kasuri methi, sugar, garam masala, cook for a minute and you are done.

For shahi version

you can easily turn this matar paneer intoshahi treat. While making tomato masala paste, add 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds and 1 teaspoon of melon seeds to the blender. Blend the spices to a fine paste.

Now, proceed with steps as mentioned below. While adding cream, also add 2 tablespoons of khoya (mawa) to the gravy. Then, cook for a minute or until khoya melts and mixes well.

Proceed with rest of the steps. Finally, add few strands of saffron soaked in 2-3 tablespoons of milk and a pinch of grated nutmeg.

Serving Suggestion

Serve this lip smacking curry with lachha paratha or phulka, naan or kulcha. And I bet the combo is heaven forever. Furthemore, mutter paneer pairs perfect with jeera rice, matar pulao or zafrani pulao and even steamed rice.

Preparation of Tomato Cashew Nut Masala Paste

To begin with, first, add tomatoes, green chillies, cinnamon, green and black cardamom, peppercorns, and cashew nuts.

Then, blend it to a fine paste.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (3)How To Make Matar Paneer Recipe On Stove Top -Step by Step Photos

1-Heat ghee and oil in a pan. When it's hot, add cumin seeds, cinnamon, bay leaf and fry for 15 seconds.

2- Then, add chopped onion and fry on medium heat until pink and translucent.

3- Once the onions are done, add, garlic and ginger paste, fry for a minute until raw smell goes off.

4- Then add, ground masala paste and saute on high for 3-4 minutes.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (4)

5- Now, add chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt and cook until masalas leaves oil.

6- Add tomato puree and mix.

7- Then, add peas and saute for a minute.

8- Now, add warm water and bring it to a boil, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or until peas are cooked.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (5)

9- Then add cream, lemon juice, garam masala powder, kasuri methi and sugar, and cook for 2-3 minutes.

10- Finally, add the paneer cubes and mix, cook for a minute. Dish out matar paneer, garnish with coriander leaves and serve with naan or tandoori rotis, parathas or pulao.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (6)

Instant Pot Method

1- Switch on the IP. place the inner pot and press Sauté mode. Once IP displays 'Hot', add oil and ghee. Add cumin seeds, bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Fry for few seconds.

2- Add finely chopped onion and fry until soft and pink.

3- Now, add garlic paste and ginger paste and sauté for 1 minute or until raw smell goes off.

4- Add ground tomato cashew masala paste, coriander powder, red chilli powder, salt and cumin powder. Fry for 1 minute.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (7)

5- Then, add tomato puree, peas, and ½ cup of water and mix.

6- Close the lid with pressure valve in sealing position. Switch off the sauté mode and press manual/pressure cook mode. Set the timer to 3 minutes on high pressure.

7- Once the IP beeps, quick release the pressure and open the pot. Press Sauté mode on low, add cream, garam masala powder, sugar, Kasuri Methi and cook for 1 minute. You can add more water for thinner gravy consistency.

8- Add paneer cubes, gently mix and cook for another 1 minute.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (8)

Delicious creamy matar paneer is ready to serve.

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (9)

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Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (10)

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Matar Paneer

Creamy Matar Paneeris one of the most popular paneer dish across that is loved by one and all. Fresh peas and soft paneer cubes simmered with spices in onion tomato and cashew nut gravy. Tastes best with warm roti, naan or pulao rice.

Course Curries, Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Diet Egg-Free, Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

IP cooking Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 395kcal

Author Farrukh Aziz

Ingredients

To make tomato cashew nut masala paste

  • 2 Tomatoes (large sized, cubed)
  • 2-3 Green chillies
  • ½ inch Cinnamon Stick
  • 2-3 Green Cardamom
  • 1 Black Cardamom
  • 5-6 Black Peppercorns
  • 6-8 Cashew Nuts

For matar paneer gravy

  • 1 tablespoons Ghee
  • 3 tablespoons Oil
  • ¾ teaspoon Cumin Seeds
  • 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 Onion (large sized, very finely chopped or grated)
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Paste
  • ¾ teaspoon Ginger Paste
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
  • ¾ teaspoon Cumin Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • Salt To Taste
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato Puree
  • 1 ¼ cup Green Peas (fresh or frozen)
  • Water as needed
  • 3 tablespoons Cream
  • ¾ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kasuri Methi
  • ¾ teaspoon Sugar
  • 250 grams Paneer ((Indian Cottage cheese) or tofu for vegan version)

Instructions

Preparation

  • In a blender, add tomatoes, green chillies, cinnamon, green and black cardamom, peppercorns, and cashew nuts.

  • Blend it to a fine paste, set it aside.

  • Soak paneer cubes in warm water for 20 minutes and set it aside. The temperature of the water should be more that the luke warm water.

How to make matar paneer recipe on stove top

  • Heat ghee and oil in pan.

  • Then, add cumin seeds, cinnamon, bay leaf and fry for 15 seconds.

  • Add chopped onion and fry on medium heat until pink and translucent.

  • Now, add, garlic and ginger paste, fry for a minute until raw smell goes off.

  • Add ground masala paste and saute on high for 3-4 minutes.

  • Add chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt and cook until masalas leaves oil.

  • Then, tomato puree, green peas and saute for a minute.

  • Add water and bring it to a boil, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or until peas are cooked.

  • Add cream, garam masala powder, kasuri methi and sugar, and cook for 2-3 minutes.

  • Finally, add paneer cubes and mix, cook for a minute.

  • Dish out, garnish with coriander leaves and serve with naan or tandoori rotis, parathas or pulao.

Matar Paneer In Instant Pot

  • Switch on the IP. place the inner pot and press Sauté mode. Once IP displays 'Hot', add ghee and oil.

  • Add cumin seeds, cinnamon and bay leaf . Fry for few seconds.

  • Add finely chopped onion and fry until soft and pink.

  • Now, add garlic paste and ginger paste and sauté for 1 minute or until raw smell goes off.

  • Add ground tomato cashew masala paste, chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt. Fry for 1 minute.

  • Then add tomato puree, peas, and ½ cup of water and mix.

  • Close the lid with pressure valve in sealing position. Switch off the sauté mode and press manual/pressure cook mode. Set the timer to 3 minutes on high pressure.

  • Once the IP beeps, quick release the pressure and open the pot.

  • Press Sauté mode on low, add cream, garam masala powder, kasuri methi and sugar and cook for 1 minute. You can add more water for thinner gravy consistency.

  • Add paneer cubes, gently mix and cook for another 1 minute. Delicious creamy matar paneer is ready to serve.

Notes

You can add water as per the consistency of the gravy required. I prefer it to be little thick so added water accordingly.

Adjust the spiciness to suit to your taste.

For smoky dhaba style flavour, give charcoal dhunghar to the dish at the end.

For vegan version, swap paneer with tofu, skip ghee and swap cream with coconut cream or cashew cream

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 955IU | Vitamin C: 28.3mg | Calcium: 283mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Tried this recipe?Tag @cubesnjuliennes on Instagramand hashtag it #cubesnjuliennes!

Matar Paneer Recipe - Homemade Matar Paneer - Cubes N Juliennes (2024)

FAQs

Do 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.

Should paneer be fried before cooking? ›

Whether or not you need to fry paneer before cooking depends on the specific recipe you are following. Frying paneer can enhance its texture, add a crispy outer layer, and help it hold its shape during cooking. However, it is not always necessary, and some recipes may call for using paneer as is, without frying.

How to thicken matar paneer gravy? ›

The way you can thicken your paneer gravy is by adding either of the following:
  1. Cashew Paste.
  2. Onion/Tomato gravy.
  3. Cream.
  4. Scrubmled paneer.
Feb 5, 2021

What is matar paneer called in English? ›

Matar Paneer is a popular North Indian dish of Indian cottage cheese aka Paneer and peas cooked in a spicy and flavorsome curry. Matar Paneer translates to peas paneer where 'Matar' is the Hindi word for 'peas' and 'paneer' for “Indian cheese”.

Should you brown paneer before adding to curry? ›

Do you have to fry the paneer? Absolutely not! The thing is, raw paneer has a tendency to fall apart when added to a sauce. By frying the cubed paneer, you create a crispy crust to the cheese which helps it retain its shape when cooked into a hot curry sauce.

Why does paneer become hard after frying? ›

Paneer cooking mistakes: Over cooking paneer, that too in high temperature, may affect the fat molecules in paneer, resulting in its tough and chewy texture.

Why put paneer in water after frying? ›

After frying, if the paneer becomes hard, let the raw paneer soak in normal water for 10 minutes. This is because cooking extracts the paneer moisture making it hard or rubbery to eat. On the other hand, putting the paneer in water keeps it soft and gives the necessary moisture (if lost while cooking).

How to fry paneer and keep it soft? ›

Steps To Follow To Make Paneer Soft And Fluffy After Frying:

Shift the high flame to low flame and add paneer cubes. Keep stirring to avoid burning and sticking. Once the paneer cubes are fried until perfection, shift them into a bowlful of cold water. Keep the paneer cubes inside the bowl for about 7-8 minutes.

Is matar paneer healthy? ›

Matar paneer is very healthy.it contains lot of protein and vitamins which make you stronger. It's best made at lunch and dinner. It's a must make receipe.

What can we use instead of cream in paneer butter masala? ›

Instead of using butter and cream in this dish, I simply soaked some cashews and blended them with onions, ginger, garlic, green chilies, and a few aromatic spices. Instead of cream, I used whole milk, but you can totally use 2% reduced-fat or even 1% low-fat milk.

What is paneer in English? ›

Likely originating in India, paneer is also known as Indian cottage cheese. You might find that the mild taste of paneer reminds you of American cottage cheese.

What is paneer called in USA? ›

Although many Indians translate "paneer" into "cottage cheese", cottage cheese is made using rennet extracted from the stomach of ruminants, and cow's skim milk. Queso blanco or queso fresco are often recommended as substitutes in the Americas and Spain as they are more commercially available in many American markets.

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

Matar Paneer vs Butter Paneer

Matar Paneer is onion-tomato masala based. Butter Paneer, or Paneer Butter Masala, uses the Makhni Sauce that restaurants use for Butter Chicken and the like.

What is the difference between masala and Matar paneer? ›

Paneer butter masala taste less sweet, little spicy and having a thick smooth gravy. It is light red in colour. And mutter paneer is a no sweet, spicy in taste dish,which is not thick smooth gravy in texture. It is light brown in colour.

Do you cook paneer before adding to sauce? ›

Simply chop up your paneer into cubes and add to your curry sauce. Allow to simmer so it can soak up all the lovely flavours. You can even fry it off before adding for an extra crunchy texture.

Do you cook paneer first? ›

Frying paneer: Usually paneer is added raw while making paneer butter masala. But you can also fry it first and then add it to the gravy. But if you are frying it inappropriately, then it will turn hard and chewy. Fry them on a medium heat in little oil until golden and drop them to a bowl of water.

Does paneer melt in curry? ›

Paneer has a mild, milky flavour and a dense crumbly texture that goes beautifully well with strong spicy flavours used in many classic Indian dishes. Because it won't melt like other cheeses, chunks of it can be stirred into soups or curries and remain intact.

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