Malai Paneer Recipe - Creamy North Indian Vegetarian Curry with Paneer
Ingredients
- Paneer - 400 grams (sliced)
- Onion - 2 medium (cubed)
- Green Chilies - 2-3 qty (split)
- Cashews - 10-12 qty
- Ginger/Garlic paste - 1 1/2 tsp
- Malai - 1/2 cup
- Cumin Seeds - 1 1/2 tsp
- Whole Black Peppercorn - 5-7 qty
- Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
- Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp
- Dried Methi Leaves (Fenugreek Leaves) - 1 Tbsp
- Salt - 1 tsp
- Cilantro - handful
- Butter/Ghee - 1 tsp
- Oil - 4 Tbsp
- Water - 1/2 cup
Malai Paneer is a rich and comforting North Indian vegetarian dish made with soft paneer slices simmered in a smooth onion-cashew and cream-based sauce. The combination of mild spices, malai, and dried methi leaves gives it a luxurious texture and depth of flavor. Each bite melts in your mouth, offering a perfect balance of creaminess and spice.
Served best with warm rotis, naan, or fragrant basmati rice, Malai Paneer is ideal for both weeknight dinners and festive meals. Whether you’re new to Indian cooking or looking for a restaurant-style recipe to impress your guests, this paneer curry recipe is simple to make yet feels truly indulgent.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Malai Paneer. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our malai paneer recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Instructions
How To Make Homemade Malai Paneer:
1) Begin by slicing the paneer into ½-inch thick pieces.
2) Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the paneer slices and pan-fry until they are golden brown on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3) In a separate pan, add 2 medium-sized onions (cut into cubes), 1 1⁄2 teaspoons cumin seeds, 5–7 whole black peppercorns, 10–12 cashews, and ½ cup of water. Cook until the onions and cashews are soft.
4) Let the onion mixture cool slightly, then transfer it to a blender or mixer jar. Blend into a smooth paste.
PRO TIP: Add 1–2 tablespoons of water if the paste is too thick.
5) Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 1½ teaspoons of ginger-garlic paste and 2–3 green chilies. Sauté until the raw smell of the ginger and garlic disappears.
6) Add the onion-cashew paste and cook for 2–3 minutes.
7) Add 1 teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala, and 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves (methi). Mix well.
8) Add ½ cup of malai (fresh cream). Mix and cook until it starts to bubble.
9) Add the fried paneer pieces and mix well to coat them with the sauce.
10) Finish with a pat of butter or ghee and garnish with chopped cilantro.
11) Serve hot with white rice or roti. Enjoy!
Malai Paneer is a rich and comforting North Indian vegetarian dish made with soft paneer slices simmered in a smooth onion-cashew and cream-based sauce. The combination of mild spices, malai, and dried methi leaves gives it a luxurious texture and depth of flavor. Each bite melts in your mouth, offering a perfect balance of creaminess and spice.
Served best with warm rotis, naan, or fragrant basmati rice, Malai Paneer is ideal for both weeknight dinners and festive meals. Whether you’re new to Indian cooking or looking for a restaurant-style recipe to impress your guests, this paneer curry recipe is simple to make yet feels truly indulgent.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Malai Paneer. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our malai paneer recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Leave a review
We value your feedback. Let us know how did you like the recipe.
Recent Recipes
Eid Special Sheer Khurma - Rich & Creamy Seviyan Kheer - Vermicelli Milk Dessert with Dates & Nuts
Celebrate Eid with this rich and creamy Sheer Khurma recipe made with full-fat milk, roasted vermicelli (seviyan), dates, condensed milk, and crunchy nuts. This traditional Eid dessert is easy to make, perfectly sweet, and flavored with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Serve it warm or chilled for a festive treat everyone will love.
Sheer Khorma is a traditional Eid dessert made with roasted vermicelli (seviyan), full-fat milk, dates, nuts, and fragrant whole spices. This rich and creamy milk pudding is especially prepared during Eid-ul-Fitr and is often served to family and guests as a symbol of celebration and togetherness.
The name “Sheer Khurma” literally means “milk with dates,” and this comforting Indian dessert combines caramelized nuts, soft vermicelli, condensed milk, and aromatic cardamom for a luxurious texture and flavor. Whether served warm or chilled, this Eid special seviyan kheer is always the highlight of the festive table.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make sheer khurma. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our sheer khurma recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Vegetarian Dahi Baingan Recipe - Fried Eggplant Layered in Spiced Yogurt Masala with Curry Leaf Tempering
This Vegetarian Dahi Baingan is a comforting Indian dish made with fried eggplant layered in a rich, spiced masala and creamy yogurt. Finished with a fragrant tempering of cumin seeds, curry leaves, and red chilies, this flavorful Eggplant with Yogurt pairs perfectly with rice or warm chapati for a satisfying meal.
Dahi Baingan ka raita is a comforting vegetarian Indian dish that beautifully combines crispy fried eggplant with creamy, spiced yogurt. Slices of eggplant are shallow-fried until golden, then layered with a rich onion-tomato masala infused with cumin, coriander, turmeric, and Kashmiri red chili powder. The yogurt adds a cooling contrast to the warm spices, creating a perfectly balanced flavor in every bite.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Dahi Baingan. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our dahi baingan recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Holi Special Malpua Recipe - Soft Indian Pancakes Soaked in Cardamom Saffron Syrup
Celebrate Holi with soft, golden Malpua soaked in fragrant saffron sugar syrup. Made with maida, milk powder, suji, and cardamom, these festive Indian pancakes are shallow fried and garnished with nuts for the perfect sweet treat.
Holi is all about vibrant colors, laughter, and sweets that bring everyone together. Malpua, the beloved Indian pancake, is a festive favorite that perfectly captures the spirit of celebration.
Made with maida, milk powder, suji, and a hint of cardamom, the batter is rested and then shallow fried until golden and lightly crisp around the edges. Each warm malpua is dipped into fragrant saffron sugar syrup, allowing it to soak up that rich sweetness.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Malpua. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our malpua recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
