Paneer Butter Masala Recipe – Restaurant Style

There are some dishes that are more than just food. Paneer Butter Masala is one of them. ❤️

For many of us, it brings back memories of family dinners, birthdays, restaurant outings, Sunday lunches and that one person at the table saying, “Order one more naan!” 😄

That rich, buttery tomato gravy, soft paneer soaking up all those flavours and a little cream on top… it's the kind of dish that makes you reach for another piece of naan even when you're already full.

And the best part? You can make that restaurant-style Paneer Butter Masala at home without spending hours in the kitchen.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Paneer 🧀

• 250 g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 teaspoon oil or butter
• A pinch of salt

For the Creamy Gravy 🍅

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 10–12 cashews
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• Salt, to taste
• ½ cup water
• 2–3 tablespoons fresh cream
• 1 teaspoon kasuri methi
• Fresh coriander, for garnish

👩🍳 How to Make Paneer Butter Masala

1. Start With the Gravy 🍅

Heat a little oil in a pan and add the onions, tomatoes and cashews.

Cook until the tomatoes become soft and the onions turn translucent.

Let everything cool for a few minutes, then blend it into a smooth, creamy paste.

Don't worry if it already smells amazing at this stage. That's a good sign! 😋

2. Let the Masala Cook 🧈

Heat butter and oil in your pan.

Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.

Add Kashmiri chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and garam masala.

Now add your tomato-cashew paste.

Cook it on medium heat for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This is where you need a little patience. Letting the masala cook properly is what takes the gravy from “homemade curry” to “wait… did we order this from a restaurant?” 😂

3. Make It Rich & Creamy ✨

Add water, salt and sugar and let the gravy simmer for another 5–8 minutes.

Once it becomes smooth and slightly thick, add the fresh cream.

Give it a gentle stir.

Look at that colour! ❤️

4. Add the Paneer 🧀

Add your paneer cubes to the gravy and simmer for just 2–3 minutes.

That's enough.

You don't want to overcook the paneer and turn those soft little cubes into rubber. 😄

Chef Pearls Tip: If your paneer feels firm, soak the cubes in warm water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the gravy. They'll stay much softer.

5. The Final Touch 🌿

Crush the kasuri methi between your palms and sprinkle it into the curry.

Add a small spoonful of butter and some fresh coriander.

Give it one final stir.

And there it is—creamy, buttery, mildly spiced Paneer Butter Masala. 🤤

🫓 What Should You Eat It With?

Now comes the really important question. 😄

Paneer Butter Masala deserves something equally good to scoop up all that gravy!

Try it with:

• 🫓 Butter naan
• 🫓 Garlic naan
• 🫓 Tandoori roti
• 🫓 Chapati
• 🍚 Jeera rice
• 🍚 Steamed basmati rice
• 🍚 Vegetable pulao

And yes, extra naan is completely acceptable. 😉

❤️ A Few Little Secrets

🔥 Cook the tomato gravy properly. Don't rush it—the flavour develops as it cooks.

🧀 Keep the paneer soft. Add it towards the end and don't simmer it for too long.

🧈 Don't be shy with the butter. It's called Paneer Butter Masala for a reason!

🌿 Kasuri methi is the magic touch. Crush it before adding it to release its aroma.

🥛 Add cream at the end. It gives the gravy that smooth, rich restaurant-style finish.

🇮🇳 Why We Love It So Much

Maybe it's because Paneer Butter Masala somehow manages to make an ordinary meal feel special.

A hot naan. A bowl of this creamy curry. A little onion salad on the side. Family around the table.

That's not just dinner. That's an Indian dinner. ❤️🇮🇳

So the next time you're craving your favourite restaurant-style paneer curry, skip the takeaway and make it at home.

And don't forget to keep an extra naan on the table. You know you'll need it. 😄

Happy cooking from Chef Pearls! 👩🍳✨