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    Home » Instant Pot Recipes

    Paneer Butter Masala | Paneer Makhani

    Published: Jul 25, 2020 · Modified: Jan 4, 2023 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 49 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe

    Paneer Butter Masala is a classic Indian dish with a creamy tomato-based sauce and luscious cubes of paneer dunked in it. This lightly spiced curry is easy to make and a crowd-pleaser, so go ahead and make it for a weeknight dinner or for your next get-together. I am also sharing some fun options to serve this finger-licking delish curry.

    paneer butter masala served with naan and raita
    Jump to:
    • What is Makhani
    • Tips
    • How to Make the Best Paneer Butter Masala (step-by-step recipe)
    • Serving
    • Paneer Makhani Pizza
    • Substitutions
    • More Indian Curry Recipes
    • Recipe

    What is Makhani

    Makhani, which translates to “with butter,” is a classic dish that can be made with a variety of proteins; in this case, paneer. With a robust garam masala scented tomato and cream-based sauce, this crowd-pleaser is quintessential Indian soul food. I like to finish the dish with dried fenugreek leaves for complex sweetness and authentic North Indian flavor.

    I often get asked how my curries always look so vibrant and bright orange. The secret? It's the mild Kashmiri red chili powder and my favorite Pomi tomatoes.

    paneer butter masala with naan and raita with a box of tomatoes next.

    In this paneer butter masala recipe, I love to add the Pomi strained tomatoes. Not only do they taste like fresh tomatoes, but they are super convenient and add a vibrant red hue to the curry. I always make sure to stock up on these tomatoes that come in BPA-free cartons. They come in handy and only need to be refrigerated after you open the carton, easily lasting up to 5 days in the fridge.

    Ingredients for paneer makhani

    Tips

    • Use Kashmiri chili powder to get a vibrant red color without too much heat
    • Store-bought tomato puree adds a nice deep orange color to the dish and I highly recommend Pomi products that are available in most grocery stores in the US
    • Homemade garam masala adds so much depth and authentic flavors. If you haven't already, do try my EASY garam masala recipe
    • Do not pressure cook Paneer as it can make it chewy. Simply allow the paneer cubes to soak in the hot sauce for 5 to 10 mins
    • You can make homemade paneer using my Indian cottage cheese (paneer) recipe
    • If you are short on time, buy Gopi brand paneer that is available at whole foods, Indian grocery stores, or Costco.

    How to Make the Best Paneer Butter Masala (step-by-step recipe)

    Step 1: Select the high Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and heat the ghee. Add the onion, ginger, garlic, chile powder, salt, and turmeric and sauté until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the tomato puree and water and stir to combine. Layer over the garam masala, but do not mix. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Press the Cancel button to reset the cooking program, then select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting and set the cooking time for 8 minutes on high pressure.

    saute onions, tomatoes and spices in Instant Pot

    Step 2: Perform a quick release by moving the Pressure Release to Venting. Open the pot and blend the sauce to a smooth consistency using an immersion blender. Stir in the paneer, cream, tomato paste, fenugreek leaves, and sugar. Select the high Sauté setting and cook until the curry comes to a gentle boil, about 5 minutes. Press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot.

    blending tha sauce and adding paneer, cream and garnish

    Serving

    Traditionally Paneer Makhani is served with warm fluffy naan, layered homemade parathas, or roti. For a delicious gluten-free Indian meal serve it with Basmati rice. A side of crunchy cucumber salad or cooling beet raita pairs well with the curry and to make the meal complete serve it with a glass of sweet and tangy mango lassi or refreshing ginger lemonade!

    paneer butter masala in a bowl

    Paneer Makhani Pizza

    And here is a fun new way to serve paneer butter masala. Serve it on naan pizza. Simply spread some sauce on the naan, top with cubed paneer, and then sprinkle some mozzarella on top. Bake, grill, or broil for 5 minutes and you have the best-tasting Indian pizza. For movie nights, game nights or kids' parties serve them on mini naan available at Costco for perfect bite-sized snacks that both kids and adults will enjoy!

    paneer makhani pizza bites

    Substitutions

    • You can substitute Kashmiri red chili powder with any mild chili powder or paprika. For spicier chili powder reduce the amount
    • There is no good substitute for fenugreek leaves. So if you don't have them, just skip
    • You can also use fresh tomatoes instead of tomato puree. Simply puree ripe tomatoes in a blender
    • Heavy cream can be substituted with unsweetened coconut cream or cashew cream. See my Dum aloo recipe to see how to make quick 5-minute homemade cashew cream
    • You can substitute ghee with any neutral oil or butter if you like
    • To make this dish vegan, use tofu instead of paneer and use the above ghee and cream substitutes
    • Sugar is optional, and you can also use your choice of sweetener or honey instead

    More Indian Curry Recipes

    Did you enjoy this mild Indian curry? Here are some more of my family's favorite curries that my boys grew up eating and are most requested for family gatherings too!

    • Butter Chicken - A healthier take on the Dhaba-Style butter chicken
    • Malai Kofta - A quick and delicious curry with store-bought veggie meatballs
    • Chicken Tikka Masala - Restaurant favorite curry with Slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes
    • Palak Paneer - Mildly spiced creamed spinach with paneer
    • Paneer Kathi Rolls - A kid-friendly recipe that is easy to make and will impress your guests

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    paneer butter masala served with naan and raita
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.81 from 63 votes

    Butter Paneer {Paneer Makhani}

    A classic Indian dish cooked with paneer in a tomato and cream based sauce.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Brunch, dinner, Lunch, Main dish
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 372kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons ghee
    • 1 large yellow onion finely diced
    • 1 tablespoon ginger grated
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
    • 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chilli powder or another mild red chili powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 cup canned tomato puree
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 pound paneer cut into ½-inch cubes
    • ½ cup heavy cream **
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves optional
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

    Optional Ingredients to serve as Naan Pizza

    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    • 8 Naan

    Instructions

    • Select the high Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and heat the ghee. Add the onion, ginger, garlic, chile powder, salt, and turmeric and sauté until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the tomato puree and water and stir to combine. Layer over the garam masala, but do not mix.
    • Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Press the Cancel button to reset the cooking program, then select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting and set the cooking time for 8 minutes on high pressure.
    • Perform a quick release by moving the Pressure Release Valve to Venting. Open the pot and blend the sauce to a smooth consistency using an immersion blender. Stir in the paneer, cream, tomato paste, fenugreek leaves, and sugar. Select the high Sauté setting and cook until the curry comes to a gentle boil, about 5 minutes. Press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot. Garnish with cilantro & serve.

    Serving

    • Serve with basmati rice and parathas. For a low carb meal serve with turmeric cauliflower rice or lemon cauliflower rice
    • To serve it as Paneer Makhani Naan Pizza: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spread 3 to 4 tablespoons of makhani sauce on the naan, spread mozzarella cheese, and paneer cubes on top. Bake, grill or broil for 5 to 10 minutes or until the naan pizza comes out crisp.

    Video

    Notes

    Notes:
    • There is no good substitute for fenugreek leaves. So if you don't have them, just skip
    • You can also use fresh tomatoes instead of tomato puree. Simply puree ripe tomatoes in a blender
    • Heavy cream can be substituted with unsweetened coconut cream or cashew cream. See my Dum aloo recipe to see how to make quick 5-minute homemade cashew cream
    • You can substitute ghee with any neutral oil or butter if you like
    • To make this dish vegan, use tofu instead of paneer and use the above ghee and cream substitutes
    • Do not pressure cook Paneer as it can make it chewy. Simply allow the paneer cubes to soak in the hot sauce for 5 to 10 mins

    Nutrition

    Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 2226mg | Potassium: 307mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 883IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 394mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Neha says

      November 10, 2021 at 10:05 pm

      Just tried this recipe for the first time tonight, the whole family loved it and it was super quick and easy! Thanks for a recipe that for sure is going to become a regular at our house!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 12, 2021 at 10:01 am

        Thank you! Always a winner when the whole family loves it 🙂

        Reply
    2. Lauren says

      February 22, 2022 at 8:05 pm

      So delicious! Made this tonight with coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Still came out very dreamy and rich!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 22, 2022 at 9:00 pm

        Thank you Lauren!

        Reply
    3. Sharmeeta says

      April 10, 2022 at 11:59 am

      Will the Instant Pot give you a ‘burn’ message with the tomato purée? I haven’t tried the recipe yet but will this week.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 10, 2022 at 7:32 pm

        Follow exact recipe and you wont get a burn 🙂

        Reply
        • Sharmeeta says

          April 12, 2022 at 11:13 am

          Thanks! How come the pressure cook time is so long? I’m making this today!

          Reply
          • Archana says

            April 13, 2022 at 1:53 pm

            Hi Sharmeeta, in eight minutes the onions really cook down resulting in a creamy delicious curry.

            Reply
    4. Fatimah says

      December 03, 2022 at 2:53 pm

      The best recipe, my first time making this at home and it tasted just like the restaurant(even better) My favorite blog to come to for indian recipes, her recipes never fail. Do try ♥️5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 06, 2022 at 5:09 pm

        Thank you, Fatimah!

        Reply
    5. Anjali says

      December 07, 2022 at 9:11 am

      I made your IP paneer butter masala and tater tots chaat for a work party yesterday. They were HUGE hits!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 07, 2022 at 5:24 pm

        Thank you for the lovely feedback. Great choice of recipes for a work party!

        Reply
    6. Priya says

      December 12, 2022 at 3:59 pm

      What is the pink thing next to the mattar paneer? Is it a raita? A lassi? It looks so pretty!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 13, 2022 at 2:32 pm

        That is beet raita - https://ministryofcurry.com/roasted-beetroot-and-cucumber-salad/

        Reply
    7. Nikki Kanji says

      February 07, 2023 at 4:45 am

      Hi there! Can this be made on the stove? How should I adapt it? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 07, 2023 at 9:54 am

        Hi Nikki, to make this recipe on the stovetop saute the onions in ghee until they are translucent and light brown, about 10 minutes on medium heat. Then add the ginger garlic, spices, and tomatoes and saute another 2 to 3 minutes. Add water and cook covered for 5 minutes on low heat. Then blend the sauce and follow the remaining step 3 on the recipe card.

        Reply
    8. Wendy says

      February 19, 2023 at 11:58 am

      Hello Archana!

      Thank you for your hard work in posting so many amazing recipes.

      I have goats and we always have extra milk. I got daring and made some paneer cheese, which turned out pretty OK - taste is wonderful and texture if almost-right. So I made my favorite, which is palak paneer, but had half the cheese leftover and no more spinach.

      I found this Butter Masala recipe and had all the ingredients (except fenugreek leaves) and made this last night.

      Food HEAVEN. I may h ave a new favorite paneer dish, and I've been a palak paneer fan for a decade. WOW is this amazing.

      I have seen other iterations on the web of this recipe and have never been inspired to try it. I have been missing out.

      Thank you thank you thank you.

      Happy cooking and may the blog-gods shine upon you and yours. 🙂

      Wendy5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 20, 2023 at 10:42 pm

        Thank you, Wendy for such a lovely and detailed feedback. I am humbled.

        Reply
    9. Robin says

      March 13, 2023 at 12:48 pm

      How would I make this in a slow cooker? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 14, 2023 at 4:25 pm

        I have not tried this recipe in a slow cooker. You can saute onions on the stovetop and then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook for 4 to 6 hours.

        Reply
    10. Prachi Patel says

      April 20, 2023 at 1:52 pm

      I have made this curry about 3-4 times now and it tastes great every single time. Love the deep orange color of this gravy. Thank you for this recipe. I always make it when I am hosting a meal.

      Reply
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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

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