Shahi Paneer Recipe | Shahi Paneer Masala | Shahi Paneer Ki Sabji with detailed photo and video recipe. A classical and premium North Indian or Punjabi curry made with paneer in a dry fruit sauce. Unlike other traditional paneer-based curries, this curry is creamy and sweeter due to the use of dry fruits. It is an ideal gravy-based curry that can be served quickly with roti, bread, or rice.
Shahi Paneer Recipe | Shahi Paneer Masala | Shahi Paneer Ki Sabji with step-by-step photo and video recipe. Paneer-based curries are a popular choice for both meat-eaters and non-meat-eaters in India. It can be prepared with various options, including a spicy gravy, a dry variant, and a creamy sauce-based curry. One such easy, simple and rich creamy-sauce curry is the shahi paneer masala, known for its mild and sweet taste.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, this recipe is a mild, or less spicy, paneer-based curry. As the name suggests, shahi means royal due to the use of cream in it. Consequently, using the cream would lower the spice level, thus offering a creamy and rich paneer gravy. I am not a huge fan of such mild sauces, and I tend to order or make spicy dishes, such as kadai paneer or paneer tikka masala. Yet there is a huge fan following, particularly outside India, where many prefer less spicy meals. In addition, some prefer a mild, spicy, and sweet curry, and this recipe is an ideal choice.
Before wrapping up, here are some tips, suggestions and variations for shahi paneer ki sabji. Firstly, I used tomatoes and onions to prepare the creamy sauce for this recipe. Some prefer to use just onions and skip tomatoes to get the yellow colour. But I like my gravy to be reddish or orangish in colour, so I have used both. Secondly, you can also add cashews and almonds to dry fruits. You can experiment and add more options, such as walnuts, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, and pistachios. Lastly, you can use the same gravy sauce and replace the paneer with other ingredients, such as mushrooms and potatoes, to create different variants. Moreover, you can also use meat chunks to make meat-based shahi gravy.
I have posted another Paneer Recipes Collection with a texture and taste similar to this Shahi Paneer Masala recipe. It mainly includes recipes like paneer hyderabadi, paneer ghee roast, paneer fried rice, paneer biryani, paneer butter masala, malai barfi, paneer frankie, matar paneer, paneer tikka masala, paneer chilla. Further to these, I would also like to highlight my other detailed recipe collection, such as,
About Shahi Paneer Masala
Shahi Paneer is a classical North Indian curry that combines dry fruits, onion sauce, and paneer cubes to create a rich and creamy dish. The word “Shahi” translates to “royal” in Hindi, highlighting the luxurious profile of the recipe. Historical notes suggest that chefs introduced this gravy sauce during the Mughal Empire and presented it to the royal family. Over time, the dish earned its name and became associated with auspicious and religious occasions, where it continues to hold both cultural and culinary significance.
Cooks prepare Shahi Paneer Masala in many simple and creamy variations. The most common method uses a blend of nuts such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts along with diced onions. Some versions skip the tomato to maintain a rich colour, while others include it to create a different texture. When tomatoes are added, they alter both the appearance and consistency, and this approach often appears in dhaba-style recipes. Additionally, the curry serves as a versatile sauce that allows for the inclusion of other vegetables or tender pieces of meat.
Chef Tips for Shahi Paneer Masala
Shahi Paneer Sabji Recipe is a royal North Indian curry known for its rich and creamy texture. The masala blend combines cashews, cream, and aromatic spices to create a hotel-style dish perfect for special occasions.
- Soak Cashews: Blend soaked cashews into a smooth paste for a creamy texture.
- Roast Spices: Blend soaked cashews into a smooth paste for a creamy texture.
- Cream Toppings: Stir in fresh cream at the end for a royal finish.
- Onion Tomato Gravy: Simmer until the oil separates for depth of flavour.
- Fresh Paneer: Add paneer cubes just before serving to keep them soft.
Video Recipe
Recipe Card for Shahi Paneer Masala
Shahi Paneer Recipe: Creamy and Delicious Dish
Ingredients
for tomato puree:
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 inch cinnanmon
- ½ tsp cloves
- 3 pods cardamom
- 1 inch ginnger
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 onion, sliced
- 2 tomato, sliced
- 2 tbsp badam, blanched
- ¼ cup curd
for gravy:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ¼ cup cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 20 cubes paneer
- few kesar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp kasuri methi, crushed
- 2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped
Instructions
- Firstly, in a pan heat 2 tbsp oil. Take spices and saute on low flame.
- Add 1 inch ginger, 4 cloves garlic and 2 onion. Saute until the onions turn golden brown.
- Also add 2 tomato, 2 tbsp badam and cook till the tomatoes soften.
- Cool completely, and transfer to the mixer jar.
- Add ¼ cup curd, and grind to smooth paste.
- Now sieve the puree to get a silky smooth texture. Keep aside.
- In a Kadai, take 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp oil. Add ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder and ½ tsp cumin powder.
- Saute on low flame till the spices turn aromatic.
- Add in prepared puree and cook well.
- Also add ¼ cup cream, 1 tsp salt and cook till the oil separates.
- Now add 20 cubes paneer, few kesar, 1 tsp sugar and mix well.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the flavours are well absorbed.
- Add 2 tbsp kasuri methi, 2 tbsp coriander and mix well.
- Finally, enjoy Shahi Paneer Recipe with roti and naan.
Nutrition
How to Make Shahi Paneer with Step-by-step Photos
- Firstly, in a pan, heat 2 tbsp of oil. Take spices and saute on a low flame.
- Add 1 inch of ginger, 4 cloves of garlic and 2 onions. Sauté until the onions turn golden brown.
- Also add 2 tomatoes, 2 tbsp badam and cook till the tomatoes soften.
- Cool completely, and transfer to the mixer jar.
- Add ¼ cup curd, and grind to a smooth paste.
- Now sieve the puree to get a silky smooth texture. Keep aside.
- In a Kadai, take 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil. Add ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder and ½ tsp cumin powder.
- Sauté on low flame till the spices turn aromatic.
- Add the prepared puree and cook until well done.
- Also, add ¼ cup of cream, 1 tsp of salt, and cook until the oil separates.
- Now add 20 cubes of paneer, a few strands of kesar, 1 tsp of sugar, and mix well.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the flavours are well absorbed.
- Add 2 tablespoons of kasuri methi and 2 tablespoons of coriander, and mix well.
- Finally, enjoy Shahi Paneer Recipe with roti and naan.
Notes
- Firstly, ensure you use a generous amount of butter and cream to make the gravy taste delicious.
- Additionally, adding badam or cashew nuts gives the curry texture.
- Further, you can use honey as a substitute for sugar to balance the sourness.
- Finally, Shahi Paneer Recipe tastes great when prepared rich and creamy.