Kadai Paneer

A very well-known dish that needs little introduction! Kadhai Paneer (Panir) has the wonderful fresh ground spice aroma and flavor that compares to nothing else. This easy recipe is packed with flavor. Get ready to be amazed! Kadai is a wok and Paneer is a soft, non-matured Indian cheese.


Prep Time: 15min
Cook Time: 15 min
Serves: 6

Ingredients:

Paneer – 14oz (approx 400gm)
Whole Coriander Seeds – 1 tbsp
Fenugreek Seeds – 1/4 tsp
Whole Dry Red Chilli – 1 or to taste
Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Whole Black Peppercorns – 1/4 tsp or to taste
Oil – 1 tbsp
Onion – 1, small, finely chopped
Tomatoes – 2, med. finely chopped
Garlic – 4-5 cloves, finely chopped
Green Chillies – to taste, finely chopped
Salt – to taste
Cilantro/Coriander Leaves – for garnish

Method:

1. Put the whole spices (coriander seeds, cumin seeds, peppercorn, dry red chilli, fenugreek seeds) in a skillet, turn the heat on med to low and dry roast till you get an distinct aroma.
2. Transfer to a bowl and allow it to cool down.
3. Once it has cooled down, coarsely grind the roasted spices.
4. Meanwhile, heat the Oil in a medium skillet on medium heat.
5. Once the Oil is hot, add in the Onions and cook till they turn translucent.
6. Add in the Garlic, Green Chillies, Tomatoes, Ground Spices and Salt.
7. Mix well and cook uncovered for about 5 minutes.
8. Add in the Paneer, mix and cover and cook till the moisture has been soaked in by the paneer.
9. Stir in between to make sure it does not burn.
10. Once done, remove cover, turn off the flame and garnish with Cilantro.
11. Serve hot with chapatis, naans, tandoori rotis.

Tips:

1. Make Paneer at home

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0 thoughts on “Kadai Paneer

  1. Hi,

    I just moved to US and have been looking for a good grinder for making my own garam masala, sambhar masala etc.Which grinder are you using.Please let me know the exact brand.

    It will be a huge help.

    Thanks in advance

    1. Hi Ratna,

      With regarding to grinding spices, an Indian style mixie grinder with a spice attachment works the best. Sumeet or Premier makes pretty good ones. You can find them at larger Indian grocery stores or look for them online.

  2. Love this recipe! I’m new to Indian cooking and was wondering if you can tell me a couple of dishes that would go good with this. It would be a great addition to your site if you had what certain recipe’s go well with, so us newbies can make a dinner with things that compliment each other. Thank you, Dave

    1. Hi Dave,

      Kadai paneer will go well with any of the Indian flatbreads (roti, naan, chapati, etc) and even with rice. The way most North Indian cuisine works is that you have an item from each of 4 groups: Bread, Daal, Vegetable and Rice. Though there are some exceptions, this rule will help you think through the recipe list. It is very hard for us to narrow down what exactly will work with each other because there are so many possibilities.

  3. guys

    can you let me where to purchase the exact measuring cups as the same you are using as it would make the whole process even more easier

    shobana

  4. Hey Hetal and Anuja…your works are wonderful, Am i beginner in cooking, and your recipes has come to good use to me. Thank you very much!

    You mention how you can purchase the blender from your home kitchen store? Just wanted further information on how to purchase it. Thank you! And keep the good work 😀

    1. Hi Shanaz,
      We noticed that you are in UK, unfortunately, we don’t know the names of the stores there. Here in US, there is Bed, Bath & Beyond and others that sell kitchen items and gadgets. Maybe the viewers can help you out…

  5. To dry roast the whole spices.. place them on a flat dish in the microwave and microwave for about 1.5 minutes till they change color… roasts well and you don’t need to worry about burning it on the stove!

  6. i happened to see this site.feel fortunate ,everything is here and so simply described and taste delicious when prepared.thanks

  7. I have to say…I am going to be getting engaged soon and it is a sheer joy to be able to make dishes for my family and my future family thanks to your help. My Mom sent me a link to your website and my family and I love your recipes. Please know you both are appreciated in the Midwest!

  8. i followed the recipe to the tee. added some capsicum. a whole lot actually.
    its delicious.
    its mouth watering.
    thank you.
    it tastes better than any of the restaurants in mumbai.
    and its so easy to cook.

  9. I LOVE your website!!! Its the BEST cooking website i have come across…Thank you so much for taking the time and making it…its really helping me!

  10. Hi Hetal and Anuja,
    I love your recipes and your way of presenting makes us want to cook.

    Don’t we add capsicum(green bell peppers) to this recipe? In all the restaurants I’ve had kadai panneer,I’ve never seen one without capsicums. I was surprised that you did not add them. Any special reason?

    1. Hi Narmada,

      We tend to use a lot of bell pepper in a lot of our paneer dishes so chose not to use it here. You can definitely add it in if you like.

    1. We’ve had bad experiences while pureeing onions. Sometimes, when the cell membranes of onions are ruptured, it releases a bitter substance making the entire puree bitter.

      1. A better way I found is to cook the onions and tomatoes in the oil and then puree them (though it increases the cooking time). This makes a wonderful gravy and works best for people who do not want to feel pieces of onion or tomato while eating. Then the paste can be returned to the same pan and spices can be added.

  11. Hi Hetal & Anuja,
    another great receipe!!!
    I use to make veg.kadai with the same receipe..jst need to add veggies like green pepper, onions & tomatoes cutted in cubes.

  12. you mention great things about your food processor, can you please share what kind is good to get especially for indian pastes and spices.

  13. hi hetal and anuja,

    turned out good. could u tell me what needs to be done for the gravy version for kadai paneer. also could u post the recipe of kadai chicken.

  14. this one is stillon the stove and i can smell it …its wonderfull….infact i tried another recipie from ur sweet section….im actualy eating it right now……….yummyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

  15. Hi guys,
    I would like to try this recipe, but I am allergic to tomatoes. What can I use as a substitute?
    Thanks

    1. Unfortunately, for this recipe, the tomatoes not only add flavor, but also the substance for the sauce. You could try achieving the same texture using onions with some lime or lemon juice for the tartness, but the flavor will be different.

  16. Hi,
    Hetal /Anuja
    may i know which food processor,idli maker and blender/grinder is good to purchase?
    thanks
    nupur

  17. Yummy!!! I was getting impatient to not see a new recipe on your website!! This sounds promising for paneer lovers… for non paneer lovers (weight watchers)- replacing it with tofu works great too!!

    Thanks for posting this recipe!

  18. That’s an easy and gud one!!!

    By the way, the link given in tips should be the one for making paneer. I think by mistake, the link for kadai paneer itself is posted!!

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