Kadai Paneer is made with paneer cooked in tomato based gravy along with onion, capsicum(bell peppers) and freshly grind aromatic spices. Kadai Paneer is a great side dish for chapati, roti, pulka, rice, pulao etc. This restaurant style Kadai Paneer is unique and tastes so flavorful, you need to try this. Learn to make Kadai Paneer with step by step pictures and video.
Kadai paneer is one of the popular dishes ordered at restaurants but sure next to paneer butter masala. I love kadai paneer but only in some restaurants they make it perfectly balanced else it is very tangy. So I started making it at home years back and this recipe has become my staple as my family loves it.
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About Kadai Paneer
‘Kadai’ is the name of the special Indian wok and ‘Paneer’ is cottage cheese so paneer cooked in a kadai is kadai paneer. Kadai Paneer is a simple fragrant gravy made with paneer, onion, capsicum in tomato based gravy along with a freshly ground spice mix.
This dish gets its name as it is made in a special Indian wok called kadai. Kadai is one of the basic kitchen essential cookware in any Indian kitchen. Though you can cook kadai paneer in pans also, kadai is the best option.
This Kadai Paneer is uniquely flavored with freshly ground masala making it stand apart from the regular paneer dishes. This can be made in a number of ways. Here is an easy version I often make at home mostly for dinner which hubby and kids love it.
Kadai Paneer can be made 2 ways semi dry and gravy. Both the versions tastes great which I have posted here. The main difference is if you want more gravy add more tomatoes, if you want a dry or semi dry kadai paneer then reduce tomatoes, accordingly balance with spices.
Kadai Paneer Video
Kadai Paneer Ingredients
- Paneer – I have used store bought paneer this time, you can use homemade paneer too. Make sure to use fresh soft paneer.
- Kadai Masala – A special spice mix is prepared using coriander seeds, kashmiri red chilies, whole spices, pepper and cumin seeds.
- Onion – Onion is finely chopped and used for the gravy. Cubed onion is tossed in oil, kadai masala.
- Ginger garlic paste – Ginger garlic paste adds more aroma and flavor.
- Tomato – Tomato can be chopped and used or used in puree form too.
- Capsicum (Bell Pepper) – I have used red and green capsicum.
- Spice powders – I have used chili powder in addition.
- Herbs – Coriander leaves and kasoori methi is used as garnish and for flavor.
- Cream – Fresh cream balances the acidic taste in tomatoes so I would recommend adding it.
- Oil, Ghee – I have used both oil and ghee. Ghee adds more flavor to the gravy.
Similar recipes
- Kadai masala powder
- Vegetable kadai
- Kadai mushroom
- Kadai chicken
- Paneer butter masala
- Paneer makhani
Kadai Paneer Recipe – 2 ways
- Kadai Paneer Gravy – To make Kadai Paneer Gravy, tomato puree is added and simmered along with paneer cubes, onion and capsicum. You can add chopped tomatoes too, but add more to make it gravy consistency.
- Kadai Paneer Dry or Semi dry – Kadai Paneer dry is made by cooking chopped onion, tomatoes and capsicum cubes. Add less tomatoes to make semi dry or dry version.
Kadai Masala
Kadai masala is made by grinding a special spice mix which has coriander seeds, red chilies, cumin seeds, pepper, cinnamon, clove and cardamom. I used kashmiri red chilies to get a vibrant and appetizing color just like in restaurants.
Roasting and grinding the spices fresh gives it a nice flavor and taste to the gravy. This masala is so flavorful that you need not add garam masala too. You can make kadai masala in bulk and store too.
How to make Kadai Paneer Step by Step
1.First take 3 medium sized tomatoes, puree it fine without adding water, set aside.
2.To a pan add 2 tablespoon coriander seeds, 2 Kashmiri red chilies, 10 whole pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, one 1 inch cinnamon, 1 clove, 1 cardamom. Dry roast it well until golden or aroma comes.
3.Cool down completely then grind it slightly coarse, Set aside.
4.To the same pan heat 1 tablespoon oil add 3 tablespoon onion, 2 tablespoon green capsicum, 2 tablespoon red capsicum.
5.Saute in high flame for one minute. It should retain its crunch and not become soft.
6.Add 200 grams paneer, add 1 and 1/2 teaspoon prepared kadai masala.
7.Saute for 2 minutes then toss in high flame for 1 minute and switch off, set aside.
8.To a kadai add 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon ghee add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, let it splutter.
9.Add 1 medium sized onion (finely chopped), 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste, salt to taste. Saute until it turns golden.
10.Add tomato puree, 1 heaped teaspoon red chili powder.
11.Mix it well.
12.Cook covered until raw smell leaves,10-12 minutes.
13.Add little water.
14.Add remaining prepared kadai masala.
15.Add tossed paneer, onion and capsicum.
16.Mix it well. Cook for 2 minutes.
17.Add 2 tablespoon fresh cream, crush and add 1 teaspoon kasoori methi and 1 tablespoon coriander leaves.
18.Mix it well. Cook for 1 minute.
10.Oil starts to separate and float on top, switch off.
Kadai Paneer is ready!
Expert Tips
- Toasting onion, capsicum and adding it at the final stage retains the crunch. Do not add and boil for more time then it will become soft.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder if you want more masala flavor.
- Add kashmiri red chilies gives bright color to the gravy.
- Use tofu instead of paneer for a vegan option.
- You can replace paneer with mushrooms or any vegetable of your choice.
- Garnish with ginger julienne if you like the flavor.
- I added green and red capsicum, you can add a mix of color capsicum too as per your liking.
- Use tomatoes that are ripe. You can add chopped tomatoes or tomato puree.
Serving & Storage
- Serve kadai paneer with nan, roti or chapathi or any Indian flatbread.
- Kadai paneer can be serve with mild pulao or plain basmati rice and dal too.
- This kadai paneer gravy keeps well for 1 day in room temperature and 2-3 days in fridge.
Kadai Paneer Dry / Semi Dry
You can make kadai paneer dry or semi dry or with gravy. I usually make it with gravy or semi dry as it pairs up well with rice, roti. Add less tomatoes to make dry or semi dry version and more tomatoes to make gravy and adjust the spices accordingly.
FAQS
1.Can I skip kadai masala and make kadai paneer?
Kadai masala is the main spice mix which gives kadai paneer a unique flavor. However you can make kadai paneer without it by replacing it with 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder,1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon pepper powder and 1 teaspoon garam masala powder.
2.Why it is called kadai paneer?
Kadai Paneer is made in a special Indian wok named ‘kadai’ so it is called kadai paneer.
3.I don’t have a kadai. Can I make kadai paneer?
Yes you can make in a deep pan or dutch oven too.
If you have any more questions about this Kadai Paneer Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this Kadai Paneer Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe Card
Kadai Paneer Recipe
Ingredients
- 200 grams paneer
- 2 tablespoon onion
- 2 tablespoon green capsicum
- 2 tablespoon red capsicum
- 1 medium sized onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- 3 medium sized tomatoes
- 1 heaped teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 tablespoon fresh cream
- 1 teaspoon kasoori methi
- 1 tablespoon coriander leaves
- water as needed
- salt to taste
To temper
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
For making Kadai Masala
- 2 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 2 kashmiri red chilies
- 10 whole pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 one inch cinnamon
- 1 clove
- 1 cardamom
Instructions
- First take 3 medium sized tomatoes, puree it fine without adding water, set aside.
- To a pan add 2 tablespoon coriander seeds, 2 Kashmiri red chilies, 10 whole pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, one 1 inch cinnamon, 1 clove, 1 cardamom. Dry roast it well until golden or aroma comes.
- Cool down completely then grind it slightly coarse, Set aside.
- To the same pan heat 1 tablespoon oil add 2 tablespoon onion, 2 tablespoon green capsicum, 2 tablespoon red capsicum.
- Saute in high flame for one minute.
- Add 200 grams paneer, add 1 and 1/2 teaspoon prepared kadai masala.
- Saute for 2 minutes then toss in high flame for 1 minute and switch off, set aside.
- To a kadai add 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon ghee add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, let it splutter.
- Add 1 medium sized onion (finely chopped), 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste, salt to taste. Saute until it turns golden.
- Add tomato puree, 1 heaped teaspoon red chili powder.
- Mix it well.
- Cook covered until raw smell leaves,10-12 minutes.
- Add little water.
- Add remaining prepared kadai masala.
- Add tossed paneer, onion and capsicum.
- Mix it well. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoon fresh cream, crush and add 1 teaspoon kasoori methi and 1 tablespoon coriander leaves.
- Mix it well. Cook for 1 minute.
- Oil starts to separate and float on top, switch off.
- Kadai Paneer is ready!
Video
Notes
- Toasting onion, capsicum and adding it at the final stage retains the crunch. Do not add and boil for more time then it will become soft.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder if you want more masala flavor.
- Add kashmiri red chilies gives bright color to the gravy.
- Use tofu instead of paneer for a vegan option.
- You can replace paneer with mushrooms or any vegetable of your choice.
- Garnish with ginger julienne if you like the flavor.
- I added green and red capsicum, you can add a mix of color capsicum too as per your liking. Use tomatoes that are ripe.
- You can add chopped tomatoes or tomato puree.
Mahi
nice n inviting kadai paneer!
Veggie Hut
Iressistable Pic! I had made it yesterday for dinner.. I and my hubby are an absolute fan of paneer!
RAKS KITCHEN
Prefer always kadai paneer to BPM,but rarely make at home,hehe..You have made it sounds so easy,soon to try at home 🙂
GEETHA ACHAL
சூப்பராக இருக்கு சர்மிளா…எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்தது…படங்கள் அழகு…
nimi
My God such a tempting photograph… this one sure goes to my to do list… Sharmi, thanks for sharing the recipe !
By the way, after reading abt nilgiri's jam in one of your post, i had to buy them and they are really good… without any added color and the taste too is like homemade …:)
divya
looks awesome and delicious…
Reshmi
such a rich one….sharmi…
Angie's Recipes
A very tempting panner gravy! I love some white rice with them for this chilly weather we are having here.
Kairali sisters
Very very tempting kadai paneer..
Vani
That looks so good, Sharmi!
Rachana
Kadai Paneer looks so tempting. Would be perfcet with rice 🙂
Pavithra
I too do kadai paneer same way.. and my very very fav too. Pictures are gorgeous Sharmi and Good to know u enjoyed Black Forest Trifle.
Torviewtoronto
delicious paneer curry my favourite
check out the event in my site with a giveaway regards
Suja Sugathan
Delicious kadai paneer…makes me hungry,irresistible.
Cham
That looks absolutely delicious this kadai paneer!
Rachel
very tempting!
jeyashrisuresh
that looks awesome sharmi.even iam bored with the usual paneer butter masala.Will try kadai paneer next time.clicks r too good esp the 2nd one
Mahimaa's kitchen
looks soooo tempting. next weekend try panren.
GeethuSathiyaN
so yummy n gives a restaurant look…i luv paneer,will try this soon n let u knw..
Priya
Slurp, very tempting click Sharmi, i never say no to anything with paneer, irresistible kadai paneer..
Shanthi
Inviting and awesome .
Jayashree
Looks spicy and delicious.
Laavanya
I'm game for anything paneer – awesome! 🙂
♥LOVE2COOK♥
Seriously tempting paneer dish dear! Can't take my eyes off from them! 😀
Sarah Naveen
oh wow!! yummy yumm!!!! looks so delicious..
Sandhya Hariharan
You have made it sound pretty simple Sharmilee..
Kadai is god damn cute.. Nice clicks…:)
Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal
wow, that kadahi paneer does look very tempting and your chocolate cake recipe sure was a big mouth watering one 🙂
Gulmohar
Love this..easiest paneer dish
Aruna Manikandan
looks spicy and delicious…
nice clicks 🙂
Sanjeeta kk
Wow! I just need a hot phulka to grab the kadai and finish it.
Suma Rajesh
wooo am i just drooling dear…
Ananda Rajashekar
this is awesome, mouthwatering and 2nd pic is making me want them right now 🙂
Smitha
thanx for visiting my blog and leaving wonderful comments..kadai paneer looks so tempting…wow! great click!
keep visting!
Sharmilee! :)
@Charitha : Thanks a lot for ur lovely words!!
Neenu Praveen
frst time here…lukin superb,,,,happy to follow u..
Megha
This is the first time I tried a paneer recipe @ home and it came out yummy. Thanks Sharmilee
Sharmilee! :)
@Megha : Thats great to hear…keep visiting! 🙂
Kala
Hi Sharmi: I made this recipe and your methi matar malai recipes twice already, and it was a great hit in our house.
Anonymous
I think you forgot the salt loll
Anonymous
im 17 yrs old n this is d 1st dish im gonna try making jst now……..let u kw hw it came up…….gonna give my mom a surprise 🙂 or pbobably a shock :(——mohua
Anonymous
I m of 16 & i m crazy about all the paneer dishes so thanks alot to to show such a step by step procedure with the photographs & now i m gonna try dis
awesome yaar……….
Shyamlee
hi, am Shyamlee, but everyone call me Sharmilee… what a ithefaq, Your dish looks very simple and great, actually i do only paneer butter masala all these days, now i'll try this…good projection..
inder
Hi!! I had chanced upon you site while searching for an easy recipe for Kadhai Paneer since i was hosting a lunch party at my place. The recipe came out great post a few modifications ( like extra red chilly and a dollop of butter as we Punjabi's love butter and chilly). It was a big hit among the guests and i was showered with lots of praise since it tasted just like it does at the restaurant 🙂
A BIG thanks from my side for posting such an easy to make recipe 🙂
Thanks a ton!!!
Shweta
HI sharmilee…..I made this Kadhai Paneer in the same way as you explained….and it turn out so good……….
Soma Basu
I new to Kitchen and have no idea about spices what so ever. Your recipe looks great and it is a great help for amateurs like me. I was just wondering what if I add a bit of cream to this? how will the taste or look be?
Sharmilee! :)
@Soma : It is a dru curry, so if you want to add cream make it gravy kind and add it, no worries at all cream will add a richer taste only 🙂
megha
hey i tried it… n its too gud.. jus luvd it…:):)
Rushikesh Pawar
Hello There,
1st of all we r thankful for the process with images, we cooked the same way but didn't used capsicum and it was good.
As we are all boys live on sharing biases and it made our lunch wonderful.
Thanks Once again.
Prerna .............
Thank you sharmi for making me and my hubby happy………tastes awesomilicious.
Sindhu Sharma
Superb !!!! Thanks for posting this one!!!!
vishu
Yummy my favourite too
Unknown
Your recipes turn out beautifully – this was no different!
Gowri
I tried this last night and it came out delicious!!!! thanks for the simple recipe…:)
LenaJa
Beautiful dish…. Nice photos to go along the step by step cooking method. Bravo, great job dear!
Ganesa Narasimman
We just tried it in our home today. It was awesome and perfect.
Ganesa Narasimman
We tried in our home. It was awesome and perfect!!
CHANDRASEKARAN SR
I learnt soaking Panner in hot water for 5 mts. gives that spongy texture only today.
Thank you.
sakthi sankar
we just tried in our home today.it was awesome and perfect .beautiful dish.nice photos to go along the step by step looking method.thank u.
sakthi sankar
very nice and very tasty.
Sunandha Govindan
Hi Sharmi, I tried this today and it came out really. Love your step by step details of the recipe. Thanks a lot:)
Suga
Hi where do we get kasuri methi
Looks delicious wanna try but not sure where to get kasuri methi …
SHARMILEE J
You can get kasuri methi in any supermarket….
Sathya Moorthy
Yummilicious is the word……
🙂
Shwetha Aithala
Made it and as usual turned out super yummy! I loved the fact that I didn't have to powder the coriander seeds n red chillies in a mortar pestle. I'm too lazy for that 🙂
japeksha 27
Hey!!I tried your vanila cake recipe…nd it came out so good…nd your recipes are so easy…nd now help me with staters nd salads..
Sindhu Ja
hi,,, this is the first time am trying out a paneer receipe and am really surprised it camed out well was very tasty…
Janani Venkatesan
Hi sharmi…It looks very delicious. . adding kasuri methi is compulsory?
SHARMILEE J
It gives a nice flavour, just skip it if you dont have
Ashudhir
Hi Sharmilee,
After looking at your Instagram pics, I have become an addict of your blog now! I have two beautiful angels and a naughty son. I am surely gonna try your lunchbox recipes. To start with, today is the day for Kadhai Paneer. Will keep you posted about the outcome!
Keep going!
Regards!
Priyadharshini Manickam
hi sharmi
tried this as per your steps and it turned out to be really yummm… jus like d very same kadai paneer from my favourite restaurant..