Paneer Makhani or Paneer Makhanwala is a silken, creamy and smooth gravy with melt-in-your-mouth pieces of cottage cheese. It is a favourite for vegetarians when they order outside. Now you can make it at home and it tastes just like what you get in a restaurant. Follow my easy, step-by-step recipe and earn praise at home.
📖 Recipe Card
Paneer Makhani Restaurant Style | Cottage Cheese in a Buttery Gravy
This creamy Paneer Makhani or Butter Paneer is a decadent and indulgent creamy gravy that is mildly spiced and very delicious. Serve it with rotis or rice.
serves
Ingredients
- 250 gm. fresh paneer cottage cheese cut in cubes
- 2 onions chopped
- 1 tbsp. ginger chopped
- 1 tbsp. garlic chopped
- 3 large tomatoes chopped
- 3 green cardamom
- 1-2 small pieces cinnamon
- 3-4 cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 2-3 tbsp. cashews
- 1 tbsp. kasuri methi
- 2 tbsp. cream optional
- ½ tsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. garam masala
- 1 tsp. chilli powder optional
- 1 tbsp. deggi mirch for colour
- 1 tsp. coriander powder
- Salt as per taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a pan.
- Add cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf and cardamom and fry for a minute.
- Now add chopped onions and ginger-garlic paste and fry on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes till the onions are golden brown.
- Add tomatoes and cashews and fry for another 8 minutes or till tomatoes are mushy.
- Turn off the gas and cool down.
- Now blend to a thick paste.
- Heat the pan again and pour this thick gravy into it.
- Stir it constantly on low heat. The gravy has the tendency to sputter so you can cover the pan half way.
- Continue to stir for about 10-15 minutes till the gravy becomes glossy. This shows that it is well cooked.
- Now add the coriander powder, garam masala, both kinds of chilly powder, sugar and salt. Add about a cup of water to make a thick gravy. Stir and taste. Adjust seasoning.
- Add the paneer cubes in . Don't cook for more than 2-3 minutes now. Crush kasuri methi and add to the gravy.
- Switch off the gas. Add a swirl of cream and mix well. This enhances the creamy texture of the gravy.
- Serve hot with rotis, naan or rice
Notes
Don't overcook the paneer or it becomes stringy. Just cook it a little so that it is soft and delicious.
You can use this makhani gravy and substitute paneer with grilled or tandoori chicken or seafood.
This is a mildly spicy gravy with a hint of sweet. If you want it spicier, adjust chilly powder as per taste.
Deggi Mirch gives a beautiful red colour to the gravy.
The gravy must be completely smooth so blend it well.
Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
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This is a really easy and tasty paneer makhani recipe. It is high on Calories due to the use of rich ingredients hence make it an indulgence only once in a while. My family loves this recipe.
Do tag #rachnacooks if you make this and share pictures. I would love to know if you tried out this easy recipe.
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Bikramjit says
Another yummy yummy recipe.. i am trying this today for lunch.. i have a day off today yayyyyyyyyyy…..
Vasantha Vivek says
Paneer Makhani Is my hubby's and son's favorite. So much thanks for sharing this recipe. Will give a try soon.
Rachna says
Oh how nice! Hope you like the recipe.
Megala says
Wow ! Looks so yummy, thanks for sharing a wonderful recipe.
Rachna says
Thanks. Do let me know if you try it.
Soumya Prasad says
Look at that color! So damn gorgeous!
I shall try this this weekend for my husband who is a paneer lover.
Obsessivemom says
Now this is more like it - here's a recipe I'm going to try. It looks absolutely delicious Rachna. Thanks for sharing.
Rachna says
Yes, this is such an addictive recipe. It is really so tasty. 🙂
Jyotirmoy Sarkar says
Have taken paneer makhani so many times from different restaurants that now i have became reluctant about this but my family members still love it, will share this recipe with them.
pushpendra پُشپیندر (@pushpendra4acti) says
looking delicious mouth watering
Indu says
This sounds easy,I shall try it