Easy Matar Paneer — Creamy Indian Peas & Paneer Curry 🧀🫛

This Matar Paneer recipe combines tender paneer and sweet green peas in a rich, flavorful tomato-based curry. Made with warm Indian spices, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and ginger, this comforting vegetarian dish is perfect served with basmati rice, chapati, roti, or naan.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Yield: About 4 cups
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Paneer & Peas

• 12 ounces paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
• 1 tablespoon oil or ghee

Curry

• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green chili, finely chopped, optional
• 1½ cups crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon sugar, optional
• ¾–1 cup water
• ¼ cup heavy cream, optional
• 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves, or kasuri methi, optional
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

1. Prepare the Paneer

Cut the paneer into approximately 1-inch cubes.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the paneer cubes and cook for approximately 1–2 minutes per side, until lightly golden.

Don't cook the paneer too long or it can become rubbery.

Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Tip: You can skip frying the paneer if you prefer it extra soft.

2. Cook the Onion

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion.

Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and golden.

3. Add the Garlic & Ginger

Add the grated ginger, minced garlic, and optional green chili.

Cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

4. Add the Spices

Reduce the heat slightly.

Add:

• Turmeric
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Garam masala
• Kashmiri chili powder or paprika

Stir the spices into the onion mixture and cook for approximately 30 seconds.

Be careful not to burn them.

5. Add the Tomatoes

Pour in the crushed tomatoes or tomato puree.

Add the salt and optional sugar.

Cook over medium-low heat for approximately 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The tomato mixture should become thicker and deeper in color.

6. Make the Curry

Pour in ¾ cup water and stir well.

Bring the curry to a gentle simmer.

If you prefer a thinner gravy, add additional water as needed.

7. Add the Peas

Add 1 cup of green peas.

If using frozen peas, there's no need to thaw them first.

Simmer for approximately 4–5 minutes.

8. Add the Paneer

Gently add the paneer cubes to the curry.

Stir carefully so you don't break them.

Simmer over low heat for approximately 3–5 minutes, allowing the paneer to absorb some of the curry flavor.

9. Make It Creamy

For a richer matar paneer, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream.

Crush the dried fenugreek leaves between your palms and stir them into the curry.

Cook for another 1–2 minutes.

10. Finish & Serve

Taste and adjust the salt and spices if needed.

Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.

Serve your matar paneer hot with basmati rice, chapati, roti, or naan.

🫛 Tips for the Best Matar Paneer

Don't overcook paneer: Paneer can become chewy if fried or simmered too long.

Use full-fat paneer: It provides a softer, richer texture.

Cook the tomatoes thoroughly: Allowing the tomato mixture to cook down develops a deeper curry flavor.

Adjust the consistency: Add more water for a thinner curry or simmer longer for a thicker gravy.

Kasuri methi adds restaurant-style flavor: Dried fenugreek leaves are optional but add a distinctive aroma and flavor.

Adjust the heat: Use paprika for a mild version or Kashmiri chili powder and green chili for additional spice.

🍚 What to Serve With Matar Paneer

Matar paneer pairs beautifully with:

• Basmati rice
• Jeera rice
• Chapati
• Roti
• Naan
• Garlic naan
• Paratha
• Cucumber raita

For an easy dinner, serve a bowl of matar paneer with steamed basmati rice and warm chapati.

Easy Variations

Creamy Matar Paneer

Increase the heavy cream to ½ cup for an extra-rich curry.

Matar Paneer Without Cream

Leave out the heavy cream entirely. The tomato and onion gravy will still create a flavorful curry.

Matar Paneer With Potatoes

Add cooked potato cubes along with the peas and paneer.

Spicy Matar Paneer

Add an additional green chili and increase the Kashmiri chili powder.

Storage

Allow leftover matar paneer to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

Reheating

Warm gently in a saucepan over low-to-medium heat.

Add a small splash of water if the curry has thickened in the refrigerator.

Avoid boiling it aggressively because this can make the paneer tougher.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is matar paneer?

Matar paneer is an Indian vegetarian curry made with paneer cheese and green peas, commonly cooked in an onion-and-tomato-based gravy seasoned with Indian spices.

What does "matar" mean?

Matar refers to peas, while paneer is a fresh Indian cheese. The dish is essentially a peas-and-paneer curry.

Do I need to fry paneer before adding it?

No. Frying gives paneer a lightly golden exterior, but adding it directly to the curry produces a softer texture.

Can I use frozen peas?

Yes. Frozen green peas work very well and can usually be added directly to the curry without thawing.

Is matar paneer spicy?

It can be mild or spicy depending on the amount of chili used. For a family-friendly version, omit the green chili and use mild paprika.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per serving:

• Calories: 410
• Protein: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 590mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the paneer, cream, oil, and serving size.

Recipe Keywords

Matar Paneer Recipe, Easy Matar Paneer, Mutter Paneer, Peas and Paneer Curry, Indian Paneer Recipe, Paneer Curry, Vegetarian Indian Recipes, Matar Paneer With Cream, Homemade Matar Paneer, Easy Indian Dinner

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