Vegetarian

Restaurant-Style Comforting Paneer Butter Masala

30 min Cook
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  • It is Creamy. Buttery. Silky.
  • Paneer Butter Masala is that one curry that never disappoints.

Some dishes just feel like a warm hug, and Paneer Butter Masala is exactly that kind of meal. Rich red gravy. Soft paneer. The aroma of butter, tomatoes, and spices filling up the kitchen and itโ€™s impossible not to smile.

This is the curry I make when I want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The cashews make the gravy naturally creamy. The butter gives it that restaurant-style smoothness. And the paneer? It stays soft, tender, and so satisfying.
What I love most is how familiar and comforting it feels. Itโ€™s the kind of dish you make for family dinners, celebrations, lazy Sundays, or honestly, when you just want to treat yourself.
Simple ingredients.
Slow cooking.
Deep flavor.
A bowl of pure comfort.

1. Why This Recipe Actually Works

  • Cashews add natural creaminess without needing too much cream.
  • Butter and slow cooking creates a glossy, restaurant-style gravy.
  • Everyday spices blend beautifully for a deep, round flavor.
  • Paneer stays soft using a simple soaking technique.
  • Beginner-friendly, comforting, and nearly fail-proof.

2. Pro Tips

  • Always soak paneer in warm salted water.
  • Cook the masala until the oil separates.
  • Use Kashmiri chilli for color without too much heat.
  • Add cream only on low heat to avoid splitting.
  • Crush kasuri methi between your palms for the best aroma.

Ingredients Explained

  • Paneer gives us soft, creamy protein that absorbs the gravy beautifully.
  • Cashews work as a natural thickener and give richness.
  • Tomatoes give a sweet, tangy foundation.
  • Onions form body and sweetness.
  • Garlic & ginger adds depth and warmth.
  • Coriander stalks act as a flavor booster.
  • Butter + oil makes the gravy silky, flavorful and gives a smooth texture.
  • Cream gives restaurant like finish.

What to Eat It With

Paneer Butter Masala goes perfectly with:

  • Soft garlic naan
  • Laccha paratha (my personal favorite)
  • Jeera rice
  • Basmati rice
  • Tandoori roti

Itโ€™s an all-rounder. It pairs with everything.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala goes perfectly with:

  • It tastes exactly like restaurant curry.
  • The gravy is smooth, buttery, bright, and flavorful.
  • Paneer stays soft and pillowy.
  • Itโ€™s comforting, rich, and unbelievably satisfying.
  • Perfect for weeknights and special dinners.

Paneer Butter Masala is a pure comfort . It is creamy, rich, and full of warm spices. The tomato-cashew gravy clings to the soft paneer, the butter melts into everything, and the whole dish feels like something youโ€™d order at your favorite Indian restaurant.

Make it once, and itโ€™ll become a repeat recipe in your kitchen which is guaranteed.

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Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala

admin
Paneer Butter Masala is rich, creamy, and full of warmth. With soft paneer cubes, a silky tomato-cashew gravy, and that classic buttery finish. This dish brings restaurant-style indulgence right into your home too with minimum effort.
prep time
10 min
cooking time
30 min
servings
4
total time
40 min

Equipment

  • Heavy-bottom pan

  • Blender

  • Ladle

  • Knife + chopping board

  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients

  • 500g paneer (cottage cheese), cut into bite-sized cubes

  • 12โ€“15 cashews

  • 600ml hot water (to soak cashews + paneer)

  • 150g tomatoes

  • 2 medium-sized onions, chopped

  • 5โ€“6 garlic cloves

  • 1-inch ginger

  • 1 bunch coriander (separate leaves & stalks)

  • 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder

  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

  • 1/4 tsp turmeric

  • 1 heaped tsp coriander powder

  • 1 heaped tsp cumin powder

  • 1 tsp chilli powder

  • 1 tbsp oil

  • 3 tbsp butter

  • 1/4 cup cream

  • 1/2 cup water (for gravy)

  • 1/4 tsp garam masala

  • 1/4 tsp kasuri methi, crushed

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 4 cardamom pods

  • 4 cloves

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds

  • 1 pinch sugar (balances the tomatoes)

Instructions

1

Prep the Paneer & Cashews

Boil water.

Soak the cashews until they become soft.

In another bowl, soak paneer in warm salted water to make it extra tender.

2

Make the Masala Puree

Blend tomatoes, cashews, garlic, ginger, and coriander stalks into a smooth paste.

This is the creamy base of our curry.

3

Sautรฉ the Aromatics

Heat oil and butter.

Add bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, cumin seeds. Let them bloom. The aroma is heavenly. Add onions with a pinch of salt and cook until they are soft and translucent.

4

Build the Gravy

Add Kashmiri chilli powder and let it bloom in the butter.

Pour in the blended puree.

Add turmeric, coriander powder, cumin powder, chilli powder, salt.

Cook until the masala thickens and oil separates. This is where the magic happens.

5

Adjust the Consistency

Add ยฝ cup water.

Simmer until the gravy turns glossy and deeper in color.

6

Make it creamy

Add cream.

Add more butter.

The gravy will instantly turn silky and rich.

7

Add the Paneer

Drain the paneer and gently add it in.

Cook for just 2 minutes and no more.

8

Final Touches

Sprinkle garam masala and crushed kasuri methi.

Garnish with coriander leaves and a swirl of cream.

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About author
Hey, Iโ€™m Birali, and welcome to my kitchen. From simple, comfort meals to fun, creative experiments, everything I share is made with honesty, love, and a lot of heart. Biraliโ€™s Kitchen isnโ€™t just about food, itโ€™s about creating memories, connecting with yourself and others, and finding joy in the little things. So put on a cozy apron, hit that subscribe button, and letโ€™s start cooking, laughing, and growing, one bite at a time.
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