Palak paneer/ Cottage cheese in spinach gravy (Instant Pot and Stovetop)

This Palak Paneer is a gravy with whole goodness of spinach along with yummy paneer. This goes well with some hot chapati.

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is the Indian cottage cheese or Paneer cooked in spinach gravy. It is mainly made in the Northern parts of India. The spinach is blanched and made puree with garlic and green chili. Then the paneer is cooked in it. The only masala we use in this gravy is garam masala unlike in other Indian gravies where we use lots of spice powders.

What is Paneer

Paneer is the fresh cheese made from milk curdled using vinegar or lime juice. The whey and milk particles are separated by draining the curdled milk in a muslin cloth. The excess water is pressed and the milk solids inside the muslin cloth are pressed under a heavyweight for 2 to 3 hours. The paneer is used in making Matar paneer, paneer butter masala, Paneer biryani, and many more.

Ingredients to make Palak Paneer

Spinach – One main ingredient is Spinach or Palak. Take a bunch of greens and clean it properly.

Paneer – The other main ingredient is Paneer or Indian Cottage cheese. You can get this from Indian stores or Amazon.

Garam Masala – This is the only spice powder we add to this recipe. If you love Indian cooking, then make sure you have this spice in your pantry. You can get this in an Indian store or on Amazon.

Green chili – Green chili is the only ingredient to give spice to this curry. So add accordingly as per your spice preference.

Cumin seeds– We add cumin seeds to give flavor.

Garlic – It is added to help your guts from any gastric problem.

How to make Palak Paneer on Stovetop

Blanch spinach leaves. Add spinach leaves to boiling water for five minutes. Drain it and keep it aside. When it cools down grind along with green chili and garlic. Put the cubed paneer in warm water till use. Heat oil in a pan, add jeera. When it crackles add chopped onion and sauté till translucent. Add the ground spinach paste with 1 cup of water, and garam masala. Let it boil till the raw smell goes. Add paneer cubes and the required salt. Mix well. Let it cook for a few minutes. Switch off. Serve warm.

How to make Palak Paneer in Instant Pot

When we are making Palak paneer in Instant Pot, we skip the blanching part. Heat butter or oil in the pot. Add cumin seeds, garlic, and chopped onions. Saute for a minute. Then add cleaned spinach leaves. Add ½ cup of water and close the lid. Cook in the manual for 1 minute followed by quick pressure release. Blend the spinach mixture with a hand blender. Add 1 cup of water and switch on the Instant Pot. When it starts boiling add garam masala, paneer, and required salt. Gently mix and let it cook for 1 or 2 minutes. Switch off and serve.

A short video to make Palak Paneer in Instant Pot

Can I make this creamy gravy?

Yes. If you want to make this gravy creamy add 2 tbsp of heavy cream in the gravy after adding paneer and mix it. When it starts to boil, switch off.

Can I make Palak Panner vegan?

Absolutely. If you want to make it vegan, use Tofu in place of Panner and use cashew cream in place of heavy cream.

What is the difference between Saag Paneer and Palak Paneer?

Another similar dish to Palak Paneer is Saag paneer. The main difference is in Saag paneer, the combination of mustard greens and spinach are used as base gravy whereas in others only Spinach is used.

More Instant Pot recipes for you

aloo gobi curry

Chettinad Chicken curry

Chicken Tikka masala

Vegan Pumpkin Carrot Soup

Mathanga Erissery

Instant pot hard-boiled eggs

Need more curry? Check out Best Indian Curry recipes.

Other Paneer recipes for you

Paneer tikka in the oven

Butter paneer

Matar paneer

Recipe to make Palak Paneer

Ingredients

Panner/Cottage cheese – 1/2 cup cubed

Palak/ Spinach – 1/2 cup packed

Onions – 1/4 cup chopped finely

Water – 1 ½ Cup

Green chili – 1

Garlic – 1 or 2 pods

Jeera – few

Garam masala – 1/2 tsp

Salt – as required

Oil/ Butter – 1 tsp

Method

Stovetop Method

• Blanch spinach leaves. Add spinach leaves to boiling water for five minutes. Drain it and keep it aside.
• When it cools down grind along with green chili and garlic.
• Put the cubed paneer in warm water till use.
• Heat oil in a pan, add jeera.
• When it crackles add chopped onion and sauté till translucent.
• Add the ground spinach paste with the required water, and garam masala.
• Let it boil till the raw smell goes. Add paneer cubes and the required salt.
• Mix well. Let it cook for a few minutes. Switch off.
• Serve warm.

Instant pot method

• When we are making Palak paneer in Instant Pot, we skip the blanching part.
•  Heat butter or oil in the pot. Add cumin seeds, garlic, and chopped onions.
•  Saute for a minute. Then add cleaned spinach leaves. 
• Add ½ cup of water and close the lid.
•  Cook in the manual for 1 minute followed by quick pressure release. 
• Blend the spinach mixture with a hand blender.
•  Add 1 cup of water and switch on the Instant Pot. 
• When it starts boiling add garam masala, paneer, and required salt. 
• Gently mix and let it cook for 1 or 2 minutes. Switch off and serve.

Notes

1. Adjust green chili as per spice required.
2. This gravy is a little thick, so adjust the water accordingly.

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