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Paneer Butter Masala – Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor

paneer butter masala

Paneer butter masala with annapurn!

You know that dish. The one you always order at restaurants. Creamy. Buttery. Slightly sweet, slightly spicy. The one that makes naan taste 100 times better then let's enjoy the journey of " Paneer butter masala " .

I used to think you had to be a pro chef to make it. Seriously. All those layers of flavor, the silky texture, the aroma—it just felt out of reach. Until one day I tried making it at home. And guess what? It wasn’t rocket science

I’ll walk you through everything—ingredients, steps, tricks, even what to avoid. If you’re someone who loves creamy curries, or just loves paneer in general—this one’s for you.

🥦 Healthy Facts About Paneer butter masala

  • High in Protein : Paneer is a perfect food for vegetarians to get protein from. A single serving usually contains 10–15g of protein which helps build and fix muscles.
  • Rich in Calcium : Paneer loaded with calcium. Great for bones. It prevents bone-related disorders like osteoporosis.
  • Homemade is Healthier : when you make it at home—you control the butter, the cream, the salt, everything. Want to skip cream? Use cashew paste.

This blog post is like me handing you a secret. A fool-proof, family-approved way to make Paneer Butter Masala right in your kitchen. You don’t need fancy stuff. Just a few basic ingredients and a bit of patience. That’s it. Bookmark it. Share it. Come back to it every time you need something delicious and comforting.

More like this

  • Paneer Bhurji
  • Chilli Paneer
  • Paneer Tikka
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Cuisine:
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description

Paneer Butter Masala is a North Indian curry. There’s a bit of sweetness, too. It’s the dish you serve when guests come over. Or when you just want to feel fancy on a Sunday.

They also call it Butter Paneer Masala or Paneer Makhani. Different names, same soul.

Eat it with naan. Or rice. Or just a spoon—yeah, it’s that good. So, without waste time let's start it!

🧂 What You'll Need (Ingredients)
  • 200 gram paneer (cut into cubes)
  • 3 ripe tomatoes (pureed)
  • 1 onion (optional, chopped rough)
  • 2 tbsp butter (use real butter)
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp red chili powder (adjust as per your taste)
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp kasuri methi (game changer)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cream
  • salt to taste
  • 2 green cardamoms (optional)
  • 1 small stick cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 tsp sugar (sugar helps balance it al)
🍳 How I Make It (Method)
  1. 1
    Step 1 : Start the base:
    • Add butter and oil in a pan.
    • Sizzle some cardamom and cinnamon.
    • Add chopped onion. Let it get golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste.
    • Cook it till it smells cooked (you’ll know).
  2. 2
    Step 2 : Tomato time
    • In goes the pureed tomato.
    • Stir it well.
    • Toss in turmeric, red chili, salt, sugar. Let it simmer.
    • You’ll see oil start to separate. That’s your sign.
  3. 3
    Step 3 : Blend that beauty
    • Turn off the heat.
    • Cool it. Blend it smooth.
    • No lumps. Just silky curry gold.
  4. 4
    Step 4 : Back to the pan
    • Pour it back.
    • Add remaining butter.
    • Simmer a bit. Feel fancy.
  5. 5
    Step 5 : Bring in the paneer
    • Cut paneer in cubes as you like. Drop it in.
    •  Add garam masala and crushed kasuri methi. Then... the cream. Stir gently.
    • Simmer for 5 more minutes.
  6. 6
    Step 6 : Serve and Taste
    • Garnish with fresh coriander. Maybe a swirl of cream if you wanna show off.
    • Serve hot with naan, roti, or that leftover rice.

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
Calories 350kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 16g80%
Cholesterol 60mg20%
Sodium 450mg19%
Potassium 220mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 14g5%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Sugars 5g
Protein 14g29%
Vitamin A 700 IU
Vitamin C 10 mg
Calcium 250 mg
Iron 2 mg
Vitamin D 15 IU
Vitamin E 0.6 IU
Vitamin K 10 mcg
Vitamin B6 0.1 mg
Vitamin B12 1 mcg
Iodine 30 mcg
Magnesium 38 mg
Chloride 450 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

🔄 Try These Variations

  • No onion/garlic: Skip both. Still tasty.
  • Cashew twist: Blend in soaked cashews with the tomatoes. Creamier. Richer.
  • Spicy version: Add green chilies. Or more chili powder. Bring the heat.

💡 Quick Tips (What I Learned)

  • Store-bought paneer? Soak in hot water for 10 minutes. Softer that way.
  • No cream? Use malai or milk + a tiny bit of cornflour.
  • Always blend the gravy for proper texture.
  • Sugar sounds weird, but trust me—it fixes the tang.
Keywords: Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Butter Masala Recipe, Butter Paneer Masala, Homemade Paneer Curry
Read it online: https://annapurn.com/recipe/paneer-butter-masala-recipe/
Sarah
Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Sarah, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.