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India · Food

Matar Paneer Curry

30 min
320 kcal
4 servings

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Matar Paneer Curry🇮🇳AI-generated image

A beloved North Indian classic featuring soft cubes of paneer cheese and sweet green peas simmered in a rich, velvety tomato-onion gravy. Perfectly spiced with garam masala, this dish offers a warm, satisfying bite.

Ingredients

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4 servings

How to Make It

  • 1

    In a small blender, pulse 10 cashews with a little water into a smooth paste; this will give your gravy a beautiful, creamy consistency.

  • 2

    Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat and lightly brown 200g of cubed paneer until golden, then set aside on a paper towel.

  • 3

    In the same pan, add 2 finely chopped onions and sauté for 6 minutes until they become soft and light brown.

  • 4

    Add 2 grated tomatoes to the pan and cook for 5 minutes until the moisture evaporates and the mixture thickens slightly.

  • 5

    Stir in 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp garam masala, and salt to taste, cooking for 1 minute until the spices become incredibly fragrant.

  • 6

    Pour in the cashew paste and 1/2 cup of water, simmering for 3 minutes until the gravy begins to bubble and unify.

  • 7

    Gently fold in 300g of green peas and the fried paneer cubes, covering the pan to cook for another 5 minutes on low heat.

  • 8

    Check that the peas are tender and the gravy coats the paneer thickly, then garnish with fresh cilantro before serving hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matar Paneer?

Matar Paneer is a vegetarian North Indian curry consisting of peas and paneer cheese in a tomato-based sauce thickened with cashews. It is seasoned with aromatic spices like garam masala and turmeric, typically served as a main course with flatbreads or rice.

Should I fry the paneer?

Frying adds a pleasant texture, but you can add the paneer directly if you prefer it soft and porous.

Can I substitute cashews?

You can use 2 tbsp of heavy cream or almond paste to achieve the same richness in the gravy.

How do I keep paneer soft?

If you fry it, soak the cubes in warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the gravy to keep them spongy.

Is this dish spicy?

The dish is mildly spiced; adjust the heat by adding more green chilies or red chili powder according to your preference.

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