Ultimate Guide to Palak Paneer Recipe: Easy, Healthy, and Comforting Indian Dish

Ultimate Guide to Palak Paneer Recipe: Easy, Healthy, and Comforting Indian Dish



Palak Paneer is one of the most loved North Indian vegetarian dishes that beautifully combines the nutritional richness of spinach (palak) with the soft and creamy texture of Indian cottage cheese (paneer). This dish is not only popular in Indian households but also served across the globe in restaurants, as people admire its earthy flavor, creamy consistency, and vibrant green color. If you are searching for a palak paneer recipe in Hindi, an easy palak paneer recipe, or even the best palak paneer recipe restaurant style, then this complete guide will help you understand everything about the dish, including step-by-step instructions, tips, variations, and even nutrition benefits.

What is Palak Paneer?

The palak paneer meaning in English is simply “spinach with cottage cheese.” The dish is prepared by cooking blanched spinach leaves, pureeing them into a smooth paste, and simmering with Indian spices, onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, and cream. Soft paneer cubes are then added to the gravy, making it creamy, healthy, and full of flavors.

Many people also search for the palak paneer definition or even the difference between saag paneer and palak paneer. While saag paneer can be made using a mix of green leafy vegetables like mustard leaves, fenugreek, and spinach, palak paneer is made exclusively with spinach.

Ingredients Required for Palak Paneer

To prepare the best palak paneer recipe, here are the essential ingredients you need:

  • Fresh spinach leaves (palak) – 3 to 4 cups

  • Paneer cubes (cottage cheese) – 200 grams

  • Onion – 1 large finely chopped

  • Tomatoes – 2 medium, pureed

  • Green chilies – 2 to 3

  • Garlic cloves – 5 to 6

  • Ginger – 1 inch

  • Cumin seeds – ½ teaspoon

  • Garam masala – 1 teaspoon

  • Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon

  • Turmeric – ¼ teaspoon

  • Fresh cream or cashew paste – 2 tablespoons

  • Oil or ghee – 2 tablespoons

  • Salt – as required

Step-by-Step Palak Paneer Recipe

If you want to learn how to make palak paneer at home or even the palak paneer recipe step by step, follow this easy method:

Step 1: Blanching Spinach

Wash spinach leaves thoroughly in running water. Boil water in a pan and add spinach leaves with a little salt. After 2–3 minutes, remove them and place immediately in ice-cold water to preserve their green color.

Step 2: Making Spinach Puree

Blend spinach with green chilies, ginger, and garlic into a smooth puree. This forms the base of the palak paneer gravy.

Step 3: Preparing Masala Base

Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, chopped onions, and sauté till golden brown. Add tomato puree, turmeric, coriander powder, and cook until oil starts separating.

Step 4: Cooking Spinach Gravy

Add spinach puree into the masala and mix well. Cook on low flame for 5–7 minutes until the raw flavor goes away.

Step 5: Adding Paneer Cubes

Gently add paneer cubes into the spinach gravy. Add garam masala and a spoon of cream to give a rich and restaurant-style texture.

Step 6: Garnishing and Serving

Your palak paneer curry is ready. Garnish with cream or butter before serving.

Variations of Palak Paneer



  1. Dhaba Style Palak Paneer – A smoky and spicy version with more butter and cream, often served in roadside dhabas.

  2. Jain Palak Paneer Recipe – Prepared without onion and garlic, making it suitable for Jain diets.

  3. Mushroom Palak Paneer Recipe – A fusion recipe that replaces some paneer cubes with mushrooms.

  4. Palak Paneer without Cream – Uses cashew paste or milk instead of cream for a lighter option.

  5. Palak Paneer Rice Recipe – A comforting one-pot dish where spinach gravy is mixed with cooked rice.

  6. Palak Paneer Masala – A spicier version with more masala spices like black cardamom and kasuri methi.

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Palak Paneer

Many people wonder whether palak paneer is good for weight loss or if there are side effects of palak paneer. The truth lies in balance and moderation.

Nutrition Breakdown:

  • Palak Paneer Calories – A serving contains around 200–250 calories, depending on cream and oil usage.

  • Palakura Nutrition (Spinach nutrition) – Rich in iron, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and antioxidants.

  • Paneer Nutrition – High in protein, calcium, and healthy fats.

Benefits:

  • Boosts immunity due to high Vitamin C and antioxidants.

  • Improves digestion with fiber-rich spinach.

  • Great source of protein for vegetarians.

  • Strengthens bones due to calcium in paneer and spinach.

Side Effects:

  • Overeating can cause kidney stone risk because spinach is high in oxalates.

  • Paneer is heavy, so avoid eating too much at night.

  • Excess cream or butter makes it calorie-rich.

Taste Profile of Palak Paneer

Many food lovers ask what does palak paneer taste like. The taste is creamy, slightly earthy from spinach, mildly spiced with Indian masalas, and rich because of paneer.

Some people say palak paneer tastes bitter, but this happens if spinach is overcooked. To avoid a bitter taste, blanch spinach for a short time and cook on low flame.

Palak Paneer with Different Cheeses

Traditionally, paneer is used, but people often ask, can I make palak paneer with feta cheese. Yes, you can use feta, but it will be saltier and tangier. Other options include:

  • Feta Cheese Palak Paneer – A Mediterranean fusion.

  • Palak Paneer with Cheese – Adding grated cheese on top for a richer taste.

  • Saag Paneer with Feta Cheese – A popular experiment in Western kitchens.

What Goes Well with Palak Paneer?



Palak Paneer is a versatile dish that pairs well with:

  • Roti, naan, or paratha

  • Jeera rice or biryani

  • Dal makhani and tandoori roti

  • Palak Paneer with plain steamed rice

  • Side dishes like papad, salad, or pickle

So, if you are wondering what to serve with palak paneer or what goes best with palak paneer, the answer is: pair it with any Indian bread or flavored rice for a complete meal.

Palak Paneer in Different Languages

  • Palak Paneer in English name – Spinach with cottage cheese.

  • Palak Paneer Meaning in Nepali – Palungo ra paneer ko tarkari.

  • Palak Paneer Meaning in Malayalam – Cheera paneer curry.

  • Palak Paneer Translation in German – Paneer Spinat (Palak Paneer Rezept).

  • Palak Paneer Recette – French translation of palak paneer recipe.

Restaurant Style vs Homemade Palak Paneer

If you want the palak paneer recipe restaurant style, it uses more cream, butter, and kasuri methi for richness. The palak paneer recipe Hebbars Kitchen or palak paneer recipe Sanjeev Kapoor are good guides for this.

Homemade versions are lighter, healthier, and customizable. For example, a palak paneer no onion no garlic recipe is suitable for fasting days, while a palak paneer without cream recipe is good for health-conscious people.

Palak Paneer FAQs

  1. Is Palak Paneer bad for health?
    No, it is healthy if eaten in moderation. Overeating or excess cream can make it unhealthy.

  2. Can we eat Palak and Paneer together?
    Yes, it is a good combination as paneer provides protein and palak gives iron and vitamins.

  3. Can we eat Palak Paneer at night?
    You can, but avoid overeating as paneer is heavy to digest at night.

  4. Is Palak Paneer good for weight loss?
    Yes, if prepared with less cream and oil, it is a great low-calorie high-protein dish.

Final Thoughts

The palak paneer recipe is one of the most versatile, healthy, and flavorful dishes in Indian cuisine. Whether you try the easy palak paneer recipe, the best palak paneer recipe restaurant style, or even experiment with feta cheese palak paneer, this dish always remains comforting and nourishing.

So next time, when you think about preparing a wholesome Indian vegetarian dish, don’t hesitate to cook palak paneer at home with this simple yet delicious guide. Serve it with rice, naan, or paratha, and enjoy the authentic flavors of India.

 

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