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paneer butter masala recipe | quick butter paneer | restaurant style paneer butter masala | makhani paneer |

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Tarla Dalal

 06 December, 2024

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paneer butter masala recipe | quick butter paneer | restaurant style paneer butter masala | makhani paneer | with 27 amazing images.

paneer butter masala is a classic Indian recipe of paneer in a rich and spicy tomato gravy. Commonly also called as butter paneer.

One of the first items that we all tend to look for in a Punjabi restaurant menu, the paneer butter masala fits all descriptions - classic, all-time favourite, droolworthy, best of the best!

Notes on paneer butter masala recipe. 1. The recipe name itself says butter masala paneer hence the heavy usage of butter. You can use either salted or unsalted butter to make the makhani paneer. 2. Add the tomatoes. Avoid unripe tomatoes as they will affect the taste of the dish, firm tomatoes with a slightly sweet taste are ideal. 3. Add the fresh cream. If you want a creamier paneer butter masala then use more cream.

Yes, this restaurant-style Punjabi paneer butter masala gravy is a necessary addition to your culinary skillset, and it is quite easy and quick too.

You can also make a Jain version without onion or garlic. paneer butter masala is best had with parathas or phulkas. As it simmers in your kitchen, the aroma fills the house and brings the family to the table at once!

Try other recipes like Badami Paneer or Baingan Bharta.

Learn to make paneer butter masala recipe | quick butter paneer | restaurant style paneer butter masala | makhani paneer | with step by step photos and video below.

Paneer Butter Masala recipe - How to make Paneer Butter Masala

Preparation Time

15 Mins

Cooking Time

15 Mins

Total Time

30 Mins

Makes

3 servings

Ingredients

Method

For paneer butter masala
 

  1. To make paneer butter masala, heat ½ tbsp of butter and oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the onions, cloves, cardamom and sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Add the tomatoes, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the cashewnuts, coriander powder and chilli powder, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
  4. Switch of the flame and cool slightly, transfer to a mixer, add ¼ cup of water and blend till smooth. Keep aside.
  5. Heat the remaining 2 tbsp of butter in a deep non-stick pan, add the bayleaf, ginger paste and garlic paste and sauté on a medium flame for 30 seconds.
  6. Add the tomato-onion purée, milk, kashmiri red chilli powder, garam masala and salt mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
  7. Add the fresh cream and dried fenugreek leaves, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 30 seconds, while stirring occasionally.
  8. Add the paneer, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute, while stirring occasionally.
  9. Serve the paneer butter masala immediately garnished with coriander.

Paneer Butter Masala recipe, Restaurant style Paneer Butter Masala Video by Tarla Dalal

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Paneer Butter Masala recipe with step by step photos

Like Paneer Butter Masala

 

    1. We have a super restuarant style paneer butter masala recipe for you. Paneer is one of the most important sources of protein for vegetarians. It is a versatile ingredient and because of the bland taste, it can easily soak in flavours and can be used to make an array of dishes ranging from appetizers to curries. Apart from koftas, mixed vegetables and aloo, paneer is one ingredient used in most North Indian sabzi recipes. Listing down some all-time favorite paneer gravy recipes that you would like to try :
For the tomato-onion puree:

 

    1. For making the paneer butter masala, heat ½ tbsp of butter and oil in a deep non-stick pan. The recipe name itself says butter masala paneer hence the heavy usage of butter. You can use either salted or unsalted butter to make the makhani paneer. Adding oil along with butter prevents the butter from burning.
    2. Once the butter melts and oil is moderately hot, add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes.
    3. Also, add whole spices like cloves, cardamom to enhance the flavour of the restaurant style paneer butter masala and saute on a medium flame fro1 minute.
    4. Add the tomatoes. Avoid unripe tomatoes as they will affect the taste of the dish, firm tomatoes with a slightly sweet taste are ideal.
    5. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally. The tomatoes must turn soft and mushy.
    6. Add the cashew nuts. They provide a rich and creamy texture to the gravy.
    7. Add the coriander powder.
    8. Add the chilli powder. To get a bright orange red coloured gravy, make use of a good quality chilli powder.
    9. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. This recipe of paneer butter masala - restaurant style requires you to saute onions, tomatoes in butter first and then cook with cashew and spices, this step is important to make a scrumptious gravy. If at any stage, the vegetables are not cooked properly, you will feel the raw taste in the paneer makhani gravy later.
    10. Switch off the flame and cool slightly & transfer the cooked onions-tomatoes to a mixer jar.
    11. Add ¼ cup of water.
    12. Blend till smooth and our makhani gravy is ready. Keep aside. You can even strain to get a really smooth puree.
How to make paneer butter masala:

 

    1. For preparing the paneer butter masala recipe | quick butter paneer | restaurant style paneer butter masala | makhani paneer |  heat the remaining 2 tbsp of butter in a deep non-stick pan.
    2. Add the bayleaf.
    3. Add the ginger paste and garlic paste. Alternatively, you can even add finely chopped ginger-garlic. If you are Jain, then you can avoid the onions and garlic, but the overall yield will be less and you will have to add extra cream or cashews to balance the texture and flavours.
    4. Sauté on a medium flame for 30 seconds.
    5. Add the prepared tomato-onion purée.
    6. Add the milk. Water can also be used but, milk helps in giving a rich texture to the restaurant style paneer butter masala.
    7. Add the kashmiri red chilli powder. This also helps in giving a nice colour to the gravy.
    8. Add the garam masala and salt. I have used homemade garam masala spice-mix made using this recipe of garam masala.
    9. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
    10. Add the fresh cream. If you want a creamier paneer butter masala then use more cream. If you do not like the creamy taste, then avoid adding cream.
    11. Add the dried fenugreek leaves. Always roast and lightly crush the kasuri methi in your palms before adding to get maximum flavours.
    12. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 30 seconds, while stirring occasionally.
    13. Add the paneer. If you like the paneer crispy, shallow fry them lightly before adding to the gravy. For vegan alternative, use tofu instead of paneer. I mostly make use of homemade cottage cheese made using this detailed recipe for paneer.
    14. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute, while stirring occasionally. If over-cooked the paneer will become tough so, if you are not serving immediately then do not add the paneer cubes.
    15. Serve the restaurant style paneer butter masala immediately garnished with coriander. Enjoy the paneer butter masala hot with tandoori roti, kulcha, butter garlic naan or jeera rice for a satisfactory meal.
    16. Also you can try other Punjabi paneer sabzi recipes like : Paneer Tikka Masala, Paneer and Corn Curry and Paneer and Tomato in Green Gravy
Tips for paneer butter masala

 

    1. The recipe name itself says butter masala paneer hence the heavy usage of butter. You can use either salted or unsalted butter to make the makhani paneer.
    2. Add the tomatoes. Avoid unripe tomatoes as they will affect the taste of the dish, firm tomatoes with a slightly sweet taste are ideal.
    3. Add the fresh cream. If you want a creamier paneer butter masala then use more cream.
Nutrient values (Abbrv)per plate
Nutrient values (Abbrv) per serving
Energy476 cal
Protein15.3 g
Carbohydrates22.2 g
Fiber2.3 g
Fat36.2 g
Cholesterol17 mg
Sodium73.8 mg

Click here to view Calories for Paneer Butter Masala

The Nutrient info is complete

Your Rating*

user
Foodie #651758

March 13, 2025, midnight

delicious recipe... just loved it ma?am

user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hello, Thank you for your kind words. Do try more and more recipes and let us know how you enjoyed it. Happy cooking !!?

user
Foodie #644388

March 13, 2025, midnight

Amazing recipe! I also added a pinch of kasuri methi powdeer...it gave a good aroma. Great taste ....Everyone liked it.

user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Kasuri methi is essential.

user
Monika Jareth

March 13, 2025, midnight

A very good main course dish. The taste and looks are both appealing and texture of gravy is very rich. It was a delicacy of the party when served. Extraordinary !!

user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Monika, We are very happy to know you loved the recipe. Do try more and more recipes and let us know how you liked it. Happy Cooking !!

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Sonia Paul

March 13, 2025, midnight

I made this recipe yesterday.It was sooooooo tasty.My husband was licking his fingers and he ate 12 rotis!!!!I never expected it to turn out this well.You are fabulous and thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.I am an Indian living in Ireland and your recipes are a life saver. Thank you so much.

user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Thanks so much for trying our recipe, it means a lot to us. Keep trying more recipes and sharing your feedback with us.

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vinay parikh

March 13, 2025, midnight

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gayatri

March 13, 2025, midnight

Its delicious, tasty. make for servings is the great option which gives perfect portion to count when guests are inn. thanks for sharing....

user
nikita yash soni

March 13, 2025, midnight

its so yummy everyone liked it

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Swati Gupta

March 13, 2025, midnight

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annuu bhadoriya

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hii i am annu, your way of expalaining recipe and ingredients is very good. i am also starting a blog and i also making the blog on the same topin butter paneer masala . soo you please check this blog and tell this how is this . REcipees by annuu

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