Homemade Paneer Recipe: 6 Popular Paneer Dishes

Paneer is a fresh, farmer-style cheese made by draining fresh milk curds (usually formed with citric acid like lemon juice) and weighing them down for a few hours to make a compact cheese block, which then holds its shape. Paneer does not melt when cubed and cooked and has a mild character that complements the spice-forward profile of Indian cuisine.

Homemade paneer cheese is made by curdling full-fat milk with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, without the use of rennet, a mixture of enzymes that thickens milk in the process of cheesemaking. The curdled milk is then strained through muslin or cheesecloth to separate the whey from the fresh curds, which are gathered on a dinner plate and pressed for an hour or two using a few heavy cans or a heavy object.

You can add fresh paneer cubes to most dishes, either for additional protein, textural effect (like all cheese curds, it squeaks with each bite), or flavor. It is most frequently simmered in a sauce as the last step before serving, but cooks can also grate or crumble it for use in desserts like gulab jamun and paneer bhurji/burfi. Here are some other uses of paneer:

1. 1. Matar paneer: Loosely translated as “peas and cheese,” this North Indian Punjabi-style dish features paneer and shelled green peas in a spiced tomato sauce made bright with ground turmeric and cardamom. Restaurant-style matar paneer is usually served with naan and steamed rice.
2. 2. Paneer butter masala: Paneer cubes are tossed in a tomato-based butter sauce with whole spices to make this vegetarian-friendly version of Indian butter chicken (murgh makhani).
3. 3. Paneer paratha: Grated paneer, mixed with chopped onions, green chilies, and spices like ground coriander or garam masala, forms the filling for this popular variety of stuffed paratha, a layered flatbread made by encasing various fillings between folds of roti dough.
4. 4. Paneer tikka masala: Like chicken tikka masala, paneer pieces are marinated in a blend of spices, threaded onto skewers with various complementary vegetables, and grilled for this dish. Learn how to make your own chicken tikka masala with our recipe.
5. 5. Saag paneer: Saag paneer, also known as palak paneer, is a standard item on the menu of most Indian restaurants and features the cheese in a thick, aromatic gravy made with cooked spinach or mustard greens. Try our palak paneer recipe.
6. 6. Shahi paneer curry: This restaurant-style vegetarian paneer dish features a velvety, filling sauce made from ground cashews and heavy cream.