🥘 Paneer Butter Masala Recipe (Restaurant Style)
Paneer Butter Masala is a rich North Indian curry with soft paneer cubes in a creamy tomato and cashew gravy. Flavored with garlic, ginger, and aromatic spices, it’s finished with butter and cream for a silky texture. Best served with naan, roti, or rice, it’s a restaurant-style favorite at home.
📝 Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
For gravy:
- 200–250g paneer (cut into cubes)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 large onion (roughly chopped)
- 3 medium tomatoes (roughly chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 10–12 cashews
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
- 2–3 tbsp fresh cream
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup water (adjust as needed)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Method
1️⃣ Prepare the Base
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan.
- Add onions and sauté until soft.
- Add tomatoes + cashews. Cook 5–7 minutes until mushy.
- Cool slightly, then grind into a smooth paste.
2️⃣ Make the Gravy
- Heat butter in the same pan.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté 30 seconds.
- Add the prepared paste. Cook until oil separates.
- Add turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well.
3️⃣ Add Paneer
- Add 1 cup water to adjust gravy consistency.
- Add paneer cubes. Simmer 5–7 minutes on low flame.
- Crush kasuri methi between palms and add.
- Add garam masala + fresh cream. Mix gently.
Cook 2 more minutes and switch off the flame.
🌿 Optional Tips
- Soak paneer cubes in warm water for 10 minutes to keep them soft.
- Add 1 tsp sugar if tomatoes are too sour.
- For smoky flavor, you can give dhaba-style coal smoke (dhungar method).
🍽️ Serve With
- Butter naan
- Tandoori roti
- Jeera rice
- Plain basmati rice
If you want, I can also give a no onion–no garlic version or a hotel-style very creamy version 😊