Shahi paneer is a rich, creamy Mughlai dish popular in Northern India. Shahi paneer takes a while to prepare, but it’s well worth the effort for a special occasion. Learn how to make delicious shahi paneer with Indian cottage cheese and a silky sauce.

Shahi Paneer Recipe: How to Make Creamy Paneer Curry

Shahi paneer is a creamy Indian curry consisting of paneer cubes cooked in a tomato and onion gravy made with cream, cashew nuts, [ghee](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-ghee-plus-how-to-make-easy-homemade-ghee) (Indian clarified butter), and saffron. Various spices, including turmeric, [garam masala](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala), cardamom, chili, and coriander, add depth of flavor to the decadent curry dish. 

Like paneer butter masala or [paneer tikka](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/paneer-tikka-masala-recipe), shahi paneer has origins in the medieval Mughal empire in the Indian subcontinent. The word “shahi” loosely translates to “royal” in English and comes from the Mughlai royal title “Shahanshah.” 

This vegetarian recipe’s main ingredient is [paneer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer) (or ponir), a type of set cottage cheese with a chewy texture and mild flavor that doesn’t melt when heated. Home cooks make paneer by curdling cow or buffalo milk with an acidic ingredient like lemon juice and then pressing the curds to make solid cheese.

Replace some of the cream in this restaurant-style shahi paneer recipe with plain natural yogurt for a tangier flavor. Alternatively, substitute the tomatoes for yogurt to make the dish even creamier. Here are some other tips to consider before making the dish. 

1. __Stir-frying the purée__: Making shahi paneer involves adding spices to vegetable purées and stir-frying them while they thicken. It’s essential to stir your purées constantly after adding the spices to prevent burning, which can give the dish a bitter, unpleasant flavor. 
2. __Simmering the paneer__: Additionally, avoid simmering the paneer in the gravy for more than a couple of minutes. Overcooking the paneer will make it tough and rubbery. If you want to cook the paneer a bit longer, sauté it separately before adding it to the sauce.
3. __Adding the powdered cardamom__: Turn the heat off before adding the powdered cardamom toward the end of the cooking process. Continuing to simmer the shahi paneer gravy after adding the cardamom powder can cause it to lose its delicate, aromatic flavor. 
4. __Making vegan or dairy-free shahi paneer__: Make a vegan or dairy-free version of this paneer dish by substituting the ghee for a dairy-free spread or vegetable oil and using full-fat coconut milk instead of the heavy cream. Firm tofu is a good dairy-free alternative for paneer because it can easily absorb the flavors of the cooking sauce. Give the tofu a similar chewy texture to paneer by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and pressing it under some heavy books to squeeze out the moisture and make it denser. 
5. __Serving the curry__: Traditionally, hosts serve shahi paneer alongside other curries, rice dishes, and Indian breads as a buffet-style banquet. The curry makes an ideal vegetarian main course for a special occasion, served with rice and [naan bread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/quick-and-easy-homemade-naan-recipe) or roti. Alternatively, serve the curry as a side dish for a more elaborate spread.

Shahi paneer is a rich, creamy Mughlai dish popular in Northern India. Shahi paneer takes a while to prepare, but it’s well worth the effort for a special occasion. Learn how to make delicious shahi paneer with Indian cottage cheese and a silky sauce.

Shahi paneer is a creamy Indian curry consisting of paneer cubes cooked in a tomato and onion gravy made with cream, cashew nuts, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-ghee-plus-how-to-make-easy-homemade-ghee' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-ghee-plus-how-to-make-easy-homemade-ghee","linkCopy":"ghee","category":null}'>ghee</a> (Indian clarified butter), and saffron. Various spices, including turmeric, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala","linkCopy":"garam masala","category":null}'>garam masala</a>, cardamom, chili, and coriander, add depth of flavor to the decadent curry dish. Like paneer butter masala or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/paneer-tikka-masala-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/paneer-tikka-masala-recipe","linkCopy":"paneer tikka","category":null}'>paneer tikka</a>, shahi paneer has origins in the medieval Mughal empire in the Indian subcontinent. The word “shahi” loosely translates to “royal” in English and comes from the Mughlai royal title “Shahanshah.” This vegetarian recipe’s main ingredient is <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer","linkCopy":"paneer","category":null}'>paneer</a> (or ponir), a type of set cottage cheese with a chewy texture and mild flavor that doesn’t melt when heated. Home cooks make paneer by curdling cow or buffalo milk with an acidic ingredient like lemon juice and then pressing the curds to make solid cheese.

What Is Shahi Paneer?

Replace some of the cream in this restaurant-style shahi paneer recipe with plain natural yogurt for a tangier flavor. Alternatively, substitute the tomatoes for yogurt to make the dish even creamier. Here are some other tips to consider before making the dish. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Stir-frying the purée: Making shahi paneer involves adding spices to vegetable purées and stir-frying them while they thicken. It’s essential to stir your purées constantly after adding the spices to prevent burning, which can give the dish a bitter, unpleasant flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Simmering the paneer: Additionally, avoid simmering the paneer in the gravy for more than a couple of minutes. Overcooking the paneer will make it tough and rubbery. If you want to cook the paneer a bit longer, sauté it separately before adding it to the sauce. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Adding the powdered cardamom: Turn the heat off before adding the powdered cardamom toward the end of the cooking process. Continuing to simmer the shahi paneer gravy after adding the cardamom powder can cause it to lose its delicate, aromatic flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Making vegan or dairy-free shahi paneer: Make a vegan or dairy-free version of this paneer dish by substituting the ghee for a dairy-free spread or vegetable oil and using full-fat coconut milk instead of the heavy cream. Firm tofu is a good dairy-free alternative for paneer because it can easily absorb the flavors of the cooking sauce. Give the tofu a similar chewy texture to paneer by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and pressing it under some heavy books to squeeze out the moisture and make it denser. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Serving the curry: Traditionally, hosts serve shahi paneer alongside other curries, rice dishes, and Indian breads as a buffet-style banquet. The curry makes an ideal vegetarian main course for a special occasion, served with rice and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/quick-and-easy-homemade-naan-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/quick-and-easy-homemade-naan-recipe","linkCopy":"naan bread","category":null}'>naan bread</a> or roti. Alternatively, serve the curry as a side dish for a more elaborate spread. </li></ol>

5 Tips for Making Shahi Paneer

Authentic Shahi Paneer Recipe

Shahi paneer is a rich, creamy Mughlai dish popular in Northern India. Shahi paneer takes a while to prepare, but it’s well worth the effort for a special occasion. Learn how to make delicious shahi paneer with Indian cottage cheese and a silky sauce.

Shahi paneer is a rich, creamy Mughlai dish popular in Northern India. Shahi paneer takes a while to prepare, but it’s well worth the effort for a special occasion. Learn how to make delicious shahi paneer with Indian cottage cheese and a silky sauce.
