Kadai Paneer is a great sidedish for chapathi roti made with paneer cooked in tomato based gravy along with onion, capsicum and freshly grinded spices. Kadai Paneer Recipe with step by step pictures for easy understanding and reference. Kadai Paneer can be made either with gravy or dry, I have shared 3 versions of kadai paneer recipe here.
Kadai paneer is one the popular dishes at many restaurants or hotels.
About Kadai Paneer
This Kadai Paneer is uniquely flavoured with freshly ground masala making it stand apart from the regular paneer dishes. This can be made 2 ways semi dry and gravy. Both the versions tastes great which I have already posted. This is a smoked version of kadai paneer as we taste in restaurants.
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.
What is Kadai Paneer?
Kadai Paneer is a simple fragrant gravy made with paneer, capsicum and onion tomato base along with a freshly ground spice mix. The 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 is pans also kadai is the best option.
How to make Kadai Paneer?
To begin with first marinade paneer with the basic spice powders. Toast the paneer and set aside. Next add capsicum, onion, toast for 2 mins then set aside.
First in a kadai dry roast coriander seeds with red chillies until its aromatic, remove then add onion, tomato saute until mushy. Add sauted onion, tomato along with coriander, red chillies and grind it to a fine paste along with required water. Heat oil – temper jeera, add ginger garlc paste saute for a minute then add the paste boil it along with salt. Boil for few mins then add roasted onion, capsicum and paneer. Mix it then add fresh, kasoori methi and coriander leaves. Place a bowl with smoked charcoal, add ghee to it and close tightly with lid. Open and your flavourful smoked kadai paneer is ready!
Kadai Paneer 2 ways
- Kadai Paneer Dry – Kadai Paneer dry is made by cooking onion, tomatoes and capsicum cubes.
- Kadai Paneer Gravy – To make Kadai Paneer Gravy, tomato puree is added and simmered along with paneer cubes, onion and capsicum.
Kadai Paneer Masala
Kadai masala is made by grinding a special spice mix which has red chillies and coriander. I used kashmiri red chillies to get a vibrant and appetizing color. Roasting and grinding the spices gives it a nice flavour and taste to the gravy. Usually coriander seeds and red chillies are grind seperately but this time I roasted and added it along with onion tomato, it was not only easy but the paste was smooth adding more taste to the gravy too. This masala is so flavourful that you need not add garama masala too.
More related recipes
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Kadai Paneer
Ingredients
For paneer marinade:
- 200 gms paneer
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp red chilli powder
- salt to taste
To saute and grind:
- 3 nos kashmiri red chillies
- 2 nos red chillies
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 2 tsp oil
- 2 medium sized onion
- 3 medium sized tomatoes
Others:
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp jeera
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1/2 cup onion
- 1/2 cup capsicum
- 1 tbsp fresh cream
- 1 tsp kasoori methi
- 1 tsp coriander leaves
Instructions
- To begin with first add salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder to paneer cubes.
- Toss well to mix. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan -add paneer cubes toast until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Now add onion, capsicum toast for 2 mins, remove and set aside.
- To a kadai add coriander seeds and red chillies.Dry roast until aromatic.
- Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.
- Now add onion , tomato.
- Saute until mushy and raw smell leaves.Remove and set aside to cool.
- Transfer to the same bowl with roasted coriander and red chillies. Cool down completely.
- Grind it with little water to a fine paste.Set aside.
- Now to the same kadai add more oil, temper jeera add ginger garlic paste saute for a minute.
- Add grinded paste.
- Let it boil for few mins.Adjust with water if its too thick.
- Add toasted paneer, onion and capsicum.
- Mix well then add fresh cream, kasoori methi(crush and add) and coriander leaves.
- Now burn few charcoal pieces directly in flame. Be at a safe distance while doing this as it might splutter. Switch off.
- Remove from fire using a tong place it in a small bowl.
- Now keep this bowl in the center of the gravy, immediately add a tsp of ghee to it.
- Close tightly with lid. Leave it undisturbed for a minute atleast.
- Open and your smoked kadai paneer gravy is ready.
- Serve with Roti.
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 and ruin the taste.
- Also add kashmiri red chillies for more bright color.
- Use tofu instead of paneer for a vegan option.
- Garnish with ginger julienne if you like the flavour.
- I added green capsicum, you can add a mix of color capsicum too as per your liking.
Use tomatoes that are ripe.
Kadai Paneer Recipe Step by Step
1. To begin with first add salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder to paneer cubes.
2.Toss well to mix. Set aside.
3.Heat oil in a pan -add paneer cubes toast until golden. Remove and set aside.
4.Now add onion, capsicum toast for 2 mins, remove and set aside.
5.To a kadai add coriander seeds and red chillies.Dry roast until aromatic.
6. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.
7.Now add onion , tomato.
8.Saute until mushy and raw smell leaves.Remove and set aside to cool.
9.Transfer to the same bowl with roasted coriadner and red chillies. Cool down completely.
10.Grind it with little water to a fine paste.Set aside.
11.Now to the same kadai add more oil, temper jeera add ginger garlic paste saute for a minute.
12.Add grinded paste.
13.Let it boil for few mins.Adjust with water if its too thick.
14.Add toasted paneer, onion and capsicum.
15.Mix well then add fresh cream, kasoori methi(crush and add) and coriander leaves.
16.Now burn few charcoal pieces directly in flame. Be at a safe distance while doing this as it might splutter. Switch off. Skip steps 16-19 if you don’t want smoky flavour.
17.Remove from fire using a tong place it in a small bowl.
18.Now keep this bowl in the center of the gravy, immediately add a tsp of ghee to it.
19.Close tightly with lid. Leave it undisturbed for a minute atleast.
20.Open, remove the bowl and your smoked kadai paneer gravy is ready.
Serve with Roti.
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 and ruin the taste.
- Also add kashmiri red chillies for more bright color.
- Use tofu instead of paneer for a vegan option.
- Garnish with ginger julienne if you like the flavour.
- I added green capsicum, you can add a mix of color capsicum too as per your liking.
- Use tomatoes that are ripe.
Variations
- You can replace paneer with mushrooms or any vegetable of your choice.
- Instead of adding with onion, tomato you can powder rooasted coriander seeds, red chillies seperately and add it too.
Serving & Storage
- Serve kadai paneer wit h 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 Recipe Dry
Kadai Paneer is a a spicy tomato based sidedish for chapathi or even rice.This is the easiest paneer recipe that I make when I want to make a quick fix for lunch or dinner.I am fond of trying out new paneer dishes because I’m bored of trying the same PB masala so this recipe is my latest addiction.
I have updated the recipe and the pics with stepwise as few readers had requested for it long back.One fine lazy afternoon, googled to find out other paneer recipes and this kadai paneer caught my eye, and set out to try it. It turned out to be a hit at home. Paneer cooked in tomato coriander sauce simmed in a kadai – do u need any other tempting description?!
Ingredients
- 1 cup paneer
- 1 medium sized capsicum chopped
- 1 medium sized big onion chopped
- 1 small tomatoes
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp coriander powder
- 3 tbsp fresh cream
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp kasoori methi
- 2 tsp coriander leaves
- 3 tsp oil
- salt to taste
For grinding:
- 2 nos tomatoes
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 2 nos red chillies
- 2 tsp coriander seeds
Method
- Dry roast coriander seeds and red chillies seperately and grind it with tomato to a fine paste.Dry roasted coriander seeds and red chillies can be coarsely powdered seperately and added too. But I find it easy to combine with tomatoes and grind, either way no big difference in taste.
- Heat half a tsp of oil, add cubed paneer and toast it until it turns golden brown. Transfer the toasted paneer to hot water for 5mins, drain and keep aside(this is to retain the softness of the paneer). Heat remaining oil in a pan, add green chillies and ginger garlic paste saute for a minute.
- Then add onions, tomato cubes and saute till raw smell leaves and onions turn slightly browned. Then add the tomato puree(with coriander seeds and red chillies grinded). Add chilli powder, garam masala powder and dhania powder, give a quick stir.Add required salt.
- Add kasoori methi ,Next add the capsicum and saute till its cooked but retain its crunchiness dont let it become very soft. Add 1/4 cup water and allow it to boil and thicken.
- Sprinkle little water if its too dry.Add the paneer cubes mix well. Add chopped coriander leaves, gives quick stir and switch off.
Tips
- This is semidry kadai paneer.It is thick but not dry its saucy that it can pair with chapathi or even with rice.
- Kadai paneer can be made gravy kind too by adding 2 more tomatoes and switching off when the gravy consistency is reached.
- Dont skip the kasoori methi as it gives a nice and unique flavour to the gravy.
Kadai Paneer Gravy
Kadai Paneer Gravy is my most favorite, its absolutely delicious the juicy paneer with the crunchy onion and capsicum…yummmm.
Most of the times when I am left to order for just myself at restaurants I would blindly go in for Naan and Kadai Paneer Masala yes that my most favorite combo. Rice, Dal, Phulka and Kadai Paneer Gravy fixed the special lunch for us.
Moer related recipes
Ingredients
- 1 cup paneer
- 1/2 cup chopped capsicum I used colored
- 1/2 cup chopped big onion + 2 tbsp cubed
- 2 medium sized tomatoes
- 3 tbsp fresh cream
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp kasoori methi
- 2 tsp coriander leaves
- 3 tsp oil
- Salt to taste
To Roast & Grind:
- 3 nos red chillies
- 2 tsp coriander seeds
Method
- Chop tomatoes roughly and grind it to a fine puree,Set aside.Cube paneer into bite sized pieces.
- Dry roast coriander seeds and red chillies for few mins until nice aroma comes.Cool down, transfer to mixer and grind it to a slightly coarse powder,Set aside.Heat oil, add onions, ginger garlic paste.
- Saute till onions turn slightly browned.Next add the spice powder and saute for 2mins.Then add tomato puree.
- Saute till raw smell leaves, then add little water and let it boil.Add garam masala powder and required salt.While it boils in another pan add little oil,toast capsicum and onion for 2mins,Set aside.
- Once the gravy becomes thickish add fresh cream and mix well.Let the gravy boil for 2mins in low flame.
- When the gravy starts giving a nice aroma, and the consistency is semi thick add toasted onion capsicum and give a quick stir.Add paneer cubes and give a quick stir.Finally garnish with corainder leaves,kasoori methi and switch off.
Tips
- This is medium spicy with the measurement I have given. You can adjust according to your taste buds.
- Adding cream gives a creamy and rich restaurant flavour.I used homemade fresh cream.
- The consistency should be flowing and creamy.
- You can add half and half milk and fresh cream.
- Toasting capsicum, onion and adding at the final stage gives a nice crunch as in restaurants.
- You can make the spice powder and store it but freshly ground spice mix gives great flavour.
- I used homemade paneer so it was very soft and absorbed the flavour well.
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 …:)
Kurinji
Awesome!
http://kurinjikathambam.blogspot.com/
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.
aipi
Awesome looking kadahi paneer, I love it with hot poories 🙂
US Masala
Sayantani
Thats a super delicious recipe. love kadhai paneer and your presentation is very good.
between we have again started the Arusuvai Friendship chain in India. this is friendship chain where bloggers send mystery packages to each other in a chian manner to cook and post something tasty. if you are interested in taking part please check this
http://ahomemakersdiary.blogspot.com/2010/11/arusuvai-friendship-chain-another.html
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
NIDHYA
Kadai paneer looks delicious..very very tempting, Sharmi
Aaha Oho
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!
Jay
That sounds beyond amazing..I can almost taste it from here..( I wish ) droooooooool…;D
Tasty appetite
Charitha
First time i am here..its so good with yummy recipes..
i liked your kadai panner recipe..thank you for sharing..i have book marked your recipe..
do visit me/join me
http://www.womensera2008.blogspot.com
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..