Go Back
+ servings
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
4.81 from 71 votes

Butter Paneer {Paneer Makhani}

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

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 tomato puree canned or 2 to 3 ripe tomatoes, pureed
  • 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
Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry