Creamy tomato-based curry with tender paneer cheese — a North Indian restaurant classic.
Paneer butter masala is perhaps the most popular Indian curry in restaurants worldwide, especially in the West. Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) is cooked in a rich, creamy tomato sauce made with butter, cream, and a blend of warm spices. The sauce is velvety and luxurious, balanced between the sweetness of tomatoes and the aromatic spices, with tender pieces of paneer absorbing all the flavors. It's comfort food that's vegetarian and deeply satisfying.
Serves 4
Heat butter in a pot. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Add crushed tomatoes and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add garam masala, red chili powder, and turmeric. Stir well and cook 5 minutes. The oil should start to separate from the sauce.
Stir in heavy cream and a pinch of sugar (to balance acidity). Simmer 5 minutes.
Gently add cubed paneer and simmer 5 more minutes. Taste and adjust salt and spice. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Use good quality paneer; lower-quality paneer can be rubbery.
Don't overcook the paneer or it will toughen.
A pinch of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) adds aromatic depth.
Add peas and corn for extra vegetables
Make with cashew-based sauce instead of cream
Add bell peppers for texture
Keeps 4 days refrigerated. Reheats gently on the stovetop with a splash of water.
Paneer butter masala is a relatively modern creation, popularized by restaurants in urban India (especially Delhi and Mumbai) in the latter half of the 20th century. It's become one of the most ordered dishes at Indian restaurants worldwide.
It's a restaurant creation, but it has become part of modern Indian cuisine and is cooked in homes across India.
Yes, use more yogurt or coconut cream. The sauce will be less rich but still delicious.
Per serving · 4 servings total
Ask our AI cooking assistant anything about this recipe — substitutions, techniques, scaling.
Chat with AI Chef →Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment and save your favourite recipes