Easy And The Best Palak Paneer Recipe In Restaurant Style

Palak Paneer is a delicious and hearty restaurant style North Indian dish of spinach and paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) cooked in onion, tomato, spices and cream. Pair this restaurant style delight with any Indian bread, rice or jeera pulao..

Alhumdulillah! I have been married for 15 years now. The compliment I receive each time from my husband makes me jump up with joy.

Now, let me share an incident with you all.  It was 16 years back then, when my husband first came home to see me, before our marriage.

We invited him over lunch, I made this dish that day, he said, “no palak paneer ever fascinated me, but this”. 🙂

There were so many requests from my lovely readers to post palak paneer recipe. S0, I decided to revive this, my very old recipe blog post and repost it today.

The reason why I wanted to update the post is, an old post had such a pathetic photo.  And, that was shot by mobile back then in 2013, lol!  Well, i didnt had a camera that time to shoot my food pictures 🙂

Today, again we will talk about palak paneer recipe, a very popular North Indian dish loved by all.

What is Palak Paneer?

Palak (Saag) = Spinach. Paneer = Indian Cottage Cheese

So, as the words says, palak paneer is a vibrant green Punjabi curry of spinach (saag) cooked along with paneer in spices and cream.

It is healthy, delicious, simple and gets ready in straight 30 minutes.

There are actually two ways of making this saag paneer dish. In one method, we blanch the spinach first and then puree it. This is the Indian restaurant style method.

In the second method, spinach is directly cooked along with spices without any blanching. This is the dhaba style method.

Here, I am sharing the restaurant style process with you all today. My recipe do not require any fancy ingredients.

Some people like to add cashew nuts to the dish. You can also add a little bit of cashew paste to make the dish more rich and creamy.

Further, the addition of cream gives smooth texture and rich taste to the dish.

Also, if you like the real dhaba or Indian restaurant flavor, then consider giving the coal smoke or dhungar to the curry.

Ingredients and It’s Substitute

Palak  – Fresh spinach leaves always works the best. But, you can use frozen ones as well.

Paneer – Fresh and good quality Indian cottage cheese. You can replace it with tofu for vegan version. If paneer is not available in your part of the world, then you can also use Halloumi cheese instead.

Spices powders – Coriander powder and garam masala powder.

Whole spices – Cumin seeds, dried red chilies.

The other fresh ingredients – Garlic, onion, tomato, green chili.

Fat – Oil or ghee, Cream. you can even use little butter to enhance the taste.

If only, you want to smoke the curry – Live charcoal or lump coal and 1teaspoon of oil or ghee.

Using The Frozen Spinach

See, honestly, nothing is as good as the fresh vegetables. Same applies to the spinach here.

If you get the best quality fresh spinach, then go ahead with that.

Having said that, in case of crunch of time or non availability, frozen spinach will work fine.

Vegan Palak Paneer

Are you looking for the best vegan version of this dish?  So, here is what you need to do.

Use tofu instead of paneer. And, swap fresh cream with cashew cream or coconut cream.

Ensure to use extra firm tofu. Follow the same method mentioned below. Thus, you have the best palak tofu recipe at home.

Vegan palak tofu is right at your table.

Making Ahead and Storage Tip

You can easily make this dish ahead and certainly store it in refrigerator for 3 days.

If you plan to have a get together or party, then this works best.

At the time of serving, re-heat it and serve. You may add some more cream if you wish to.

Also, give the tadka or tempering on the top. It will be as good as the fresh.

Another small tip here that may help you. You can blanch the spinach in bulk and freeze it in portions.

Whenever you plan to make it, simply thaw the frozen pureed spinach on the counter. Quickly whip up the dish in 15 minutes.

Top Tips to make best Palak Paneer at home

While blanching the spinach, add a pinch of soda bicarb. This helps in keeping the blanched spinach greener and brighter.

I always blanch the spinach whenever I want to make it in restaurant style.

Always use fresh and good quality paneer to make the dish. If you want to use homemade paneer, then here is the link to make best malai paneer at home.

Furthermore, You can shallow fry the paneer in little oil or ghee. As I don’t like paneer to be chewy, so as much as possible I try and avoid to fry the paneer.

Always, soak the paneer in hot water for 20 minutes.This helps in keeping the paneer soft all the time. Actually, I always dip the paneer in water and microwave it for 2 minutes. This step always works best for me.

Skip using garlic and onion, if you want to make no onion no garlic palak paneer.

You can also add little curd (yogurt) or milk, if you wish to.

Always, add few drops of lemon juice to the curry. This will help in proper absorption of iron from the spinach.

Be it a dhaba style or restaurant style, the tadka or tempering always elevates the dish a notch higher. So, for the best taste, do not skip it.

Do you love smoky palak paneer?  Then give the coal smoke or dhungar to the dish at the end.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve palak paneer with parathas, phulkas, roti naan. It tastes delicious with pulao, rice or jeera rice as well. Serve some onion rings or salad on the side.

How to blanch the spinach perfectly?

Many of my dear readers have asked me about how to blanch spinach perfectly. It’s not only about the palak paneer, but many other spinach recipes calls for the process of blanching.

So, here is how to do it perfectly.

First, trim and wash the spinach well. Boil enough water in a pot. Then, add a pinch of soda into it. Add spinach leaves and let it cook for 2 minutes ONLY. (photo 1)

Immediately, take out the blanched spinach and put it into the bowl with ice cubes and cold water. This step will help to cease the cooking of spinach, and seals its colour and nutrition both. Therefore, do not skip this step at all.  (photo 2)

Let it rest for 1-2 minutes. Now, add strained and blanched spinach into the blender. Blend it to a puree. Bright green palak puree is ready to go into the curries. (photo 3 and 4)

Step by Step Photos – How to make Palak Paneer Recipe

To begin with, dip the paneer cubes in hot water for 3 to 4 minutes or microwave it for 2 mins.

Pro-tip:  This will not only enable the paneer to retain softness but also prevents it from getting chewy.

Now, in a heavy bottom pan or kadhai, heat oil. Once the oil heats up, add cumin seeds, allow it to crackle. (photo 1)

Then, add crushed garlic and fry till its golden brown. Now, add broken whole red chilies and green chillies. Fry for another 15 seconds. (photo 2)

Add chopped onions, and saute till it turns translucent. (photo 3)

Now, add chopped tomatoes and saute on high heat for 2 minutes. (photo 4)

Then, add coriander powder, garam masala powder, salt.  Mix well.  Cover and cook the tomatoes on medium heat until soft. (photo 5)

Turn the heat to high, add blanched spinach puree and sauté it for 1 minute. (photo 6)

Now, add the paneer, cream, mix and saute for another 1-2 minute. (photo 7)

Add lemon juice, mix and immediately take it off the stove.

For tadka, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a small pan. Then, add cumin seeds and let it crackle. (photo 8)

Pour the tadka or tempering over the curry. (photo 9)

For the smoky flavour, go ahead with charcoal dhungar. Place the small bowl or a piece of foil over the curry. Put the live charcoal into it. Pour a teaspoon of ghee or oil over the live coal. (photo 10)

Cover the pot and let it rest for 5-7 minutes. Discard the coal.

Steps Photos of Making Palak Paneer in Instant Pot

Switch on the IP and place the inner pot. Heat oil or ghee. Add cumin seeds and chopped garlic, let it crackle. (photo 1)

Now, add garlic and dried red chilies, sauté until garlic turns golden and aromatic. (photo 2)

Then, add green chilies and chopped onions and mix. Sauté until onions are soft. (photo 3)

Then, add chopped tomatoes and sauté for 1 minute. (photo 4)

Now, add 1/4 water and deglaze the pot. Then, add coriander powder and spinach. (photo 5)

Now, cancel the ‘sauté’ mode, close the pot with IP lid with vent in sealing position. Set to Manual or Pressure Cook for ‘0’ minute. (photo 6)

Once the IP beeps, quickly release the pressure. Also, press the ‘Keep Warm’ button to avoid overcooking of spinach.

Open the pot. Now, here you can discard the dried chilies or blend everything together, I have discarded it. (photo 7)

Using the immersion blender, blend everything to a smooth creamy texture. Add cream and paneer cubes, switch on the ‘sauté’ mode and let it simmer on low for 1 minute. Finally, add lemon juice and mix. (photo 8)

Optional :

Go ahead with the tadka or tempering and smoke to the curry, if you wish to.

Some of the best restaurant style recipes you may like to try:

Dal Makhani

Matar Paneer

Pav Bhaji

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This post has been updated from the archives, was first published in 2013.

4.92 from 12 votes

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Palak Paneer Recipe

Palak Paneer is a delicious and hearty restaurant style North Indian dish of spinach and paneer cooked in onion, tomato, spices and cream. Pair this restaurant style delight with any Indian bread, rice or jeera pulao.. 

Course Curries, Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword Instant Pot, Palak Paneer

Diet Gluten Free, Keto, Low Carb, Nut-free, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 254kcal

Author Farrukh Aziz

Ingredients

To blanch the spinach (for stove top method)

• 250 grams Spinach
• Water to Blanch Spinach
• 1/4 tsp Soda Bicarb
• Ice cold Water with Some Ice Cubes

For Palak Paneer

• 200 grams Paneer cut in cubes
• 5 tbsp Oil or Ghee or Butter
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 6 cloves Garlic crushed or chopped
• 3-4 Dried Red Chillies
• 2-3 Green Chilies finely chopped
• 1 Onion medium size, finely chopped
• 1 Tomato medium size, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Coriander Powder
• 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
• Salt as per taste
• 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice
• 2 tbsp Cream plus for garnishing

For the tadka (tempering)

• 1 tbsp Ghee or Oil or Butter
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds

For dhungar or smoke (optional)

• Live charcoal or lump coal
• Small bowl or a piece of foil.
• 1 tsp Ghee or oil

Instructions

Preparation Of Palak Paneer

• Trim the stem , clean and wash the spinach well.
• Boil enough of water in a large pot, add soda and spinach.
• Let the spinach blanch for 2 minutes.
• Take the blanched spinach out and immediately put it into ice cold water. Let it sit in the water for 2-3 minutes.
• Put the blanched spinach in a blender and blend it to a puree.

Making The Palak Paneer

• Dip the paneer cubes in hot water for 3 to 4 minutes or microwave it for 2 mins. Set it aside.
• In a heavy bottom pan or kadhai, heat oil or ghee.
• Add cumin seeds, allow it to crackle. Add crushed garlic and fry till its golden brown.
• Add broken whole red chilies and green chillies. Fry for 15 seconds.
• Add chopped onions, and saute till it turns translucent.
• Now, add chopped tomatoes and cook for 1 minute on high heat.
• Add coriander powder, garam masala powder, salt.  Mix well.  
• Cover and cook till the water of the tomatoes dries up and it becomes very soft.
• Increase the heat to high, add pureed spinach and saute it for a minute.
• Add Paneer, cream, mix and saute for another minute.
• Add lemon juice, mix and immediately take it off the stove.

To Give Tadka or Tempering (optional)

• Heat 1 tablepsoon of oil in a small pan. Add cumin seeds and allow it to crackle.
• Pour the tadka over the Palak Paneer
• Dish out and garnish with cream. Serve.

To Give Charcoal Smoke or Dhungar (optional)

• Burn a small piece of charcoal or lump coal on stove top until red hot. (be careful and use tongs  while burning it)
• Then, with the help of tongs, carefully place the live charcoal over the foil or in the bowl. Top it with 1/2 teaspoon of ghee and immediately close the lid.
• Now, place a small bowl or small pieces aluminium foil on the palak paneer curry.
• With lid closed, leave the spinach paneer gravy undisturbed for 5-7 minutes to infuse the dhungar well.

Notes

Modify the chilies as per your taste.

If you are looking for vegan version, then use extra firm tofu instead of paneer and cashew cream or coconut cream instead of cream.

You can add little yogurt or even milk, if you want to.

To make palak paneer recipe in Instant Pot : 

Switch on the IP and place the inner pot. Heat oil or ghee. Add cumin seeds and chopped garlic, let it crackle.

Now, add garlic and dried red chilies, sauté until garlic turns golden and aromatic.

Then, add green chilies and chopped onions and mix. Sauté until onions are soft.

Add chopped tomatoes and sauté for 1 minute

Now, add 1/4 water and deglaze the pot. Then, add coriander powder and spinach.

Cancel the ‘sauté’ mode, close the pot with IP lid with vent in sealing position. Set to Manual or Pressure Cook for '0' minute.

Once the IP beeps, quickly release the pressure. Also, press the ‘Keep Warm’ button to avoid overcooking of spinach.

Open the pot. Now, here you can discard the dried chilies or blend everything together, I have discarded it.

Using the immersion blender, blend everything to a smooth creamy texture. Add cream and paneer cubes, switch on the ‘sauté’ mode and let it simmer on low for 1 minute.

Finally, add lemon juice and mix.

Take the steel insert pot out of the IP to stop the further cooking of palak paneer. This helps in retaining the bright green colour of the dish.

Proceed with the tadka and dhungar if you wish to. Serve.

Nutrition Facts

Palak Paneer Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 254 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 28mg9%

Sodium 160mg7%

Potassium 422mg12%

Carbohydrates 8g3%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 5560IU111%

Vitamin C 27.6mg33%

Calcium 239mg24%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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