
Paneer cubes in a rich buttery tomato-cream sauce
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4
4 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Paneer cubes in a rich buttery tomato-cream sauce
Soft paneer cubes swimming in a velvety, butter-enriched tomato-cream sauce with warming spices. The vegetarian counterpart to butter chicken.
10m
Prep Time
25m
Cook Time
35m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
(Updated )
Paneer butter masala delivers all the indulgence of butter chicken in a vegetarian package. The sauce is silky smooth, subtly sweet from tomatoes and cream, and enriched with a generous amount of butter that gives the dish its name.
Heat oil, sauté the onion-cashew-garlic paste until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add tomato puree, turmeric, chili powder, and salt; simmer 10 minutes until oil separates.
Blend the sauce smooth if desired, then return to pan and stir in cumin and coriander.
Add 2 tbsp butter, cream, and fried paneer cubes; simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Finish with garam masala, kasuri methi, and remaining butter; serve with naan or jeera rice.
Serve with warm naan bread or basmati rice
Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime
Pair with a cooling cucumber raita on the side
Tofu absorbs the sauce beautifully
Blend soaked cashews with water for a dairy-free alternative
Test Kitchen Pick
Garam Masala
Helpful Pantry Staple
A better spice blend gives the recipe more rounded flavor without making you buy ten separate jars first.
This is often the pantry shortcut that makes the result taste more complete.
If you are cooking Indian food more than once, garam masala is a practical pantry anchor.
Shop garam masala for this recipeA few cashews blended into the sauce add natural creaminess and body.
Do not boil the sauce vigorously after adding cream—gentle simmering prevents separation.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Best enjoyed fresh; paneer texture changes when frozen.
Warm gently on stovetop, adding a splash of cream to restore the silky consistency.
Per serving (0mg) · 4 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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