Paneer Curry: The Creamy Heart of Indian Vegetarian Cooking

When you think of paneer curry, a rich, spiced Indian dish made with fresh cottage cheese simmered in tomato-based or creamy sauce. Also known as Indian paneer sabzi, it’s one of the most popular vegetarian dishes in India—and for good reason. It’s comforting, flexible, and works just as well with roti as it does with rice. Unlike many curries that rely on meat, paneer curry delivers deep flavor and satisfying texture using just dairy, spices, and a few key vegetables. It’s the kind of dish that shows up at family dinners, festive gatherings, and even quick weeknight meals.

What makes paneer curry stand out is how it balances simplicity with complexity. The paneer, a fresh, non-melting cheese made by curdling milk with acid like vinegar or lemon juice. Also known as Indian cottage cheese, it holds its shape when cooked, soaking up spices without falling apart. That’s why it’s so different from other cheeses—it’s not aged, not melted, and not oily. It’s pure, mild, and ready to absorb the bold flavors of cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and garlic. The sauce? Usually built on tomatoes, onions, cream, or yogurt, and sometimes cashew paste for that velvety finish. You’ll find versions from Punjab with heavy cream, to South Indian styles with coconut milk, and even spicy versions from Gujarat with jaggery for balance.

There’s a reason so many posts here talk about paneer: it’s a gateway to Indian cooking. If you’ve ever wondered why citrus doesn’t work well for making paneer at home, or how to avoid a grainy texture when you’re trying to replicate restaurant-style curry, you’re not alone. The recipes you’ll find below cover everything from basic paneer curry to advanced tips—like how to make the cheese firmer, how to use leftover curry as a filling, or why yogurt works better than cream in some regions. You’ll also see how paneer curry connects to broader topics like dairy-free Indian food, protein-rich vegetarian meals, and even what Indians eat daily. This isn’t just about one dish—it’s about understanding how a simple block of cheese becomes the star of a thousand meals.

Whether you’re new to Indian food or you’ve been making curry for years, paneer curry is one of those dishes that rewards attention to detail. The right spice blend, the perfect fry before simmering, the timing of when to add cream—these small choices make all the difference. And that’s exactly what you’ll find in the posts below: real, tested methods from people who cook this every week. No fluff. No guesswork. Just clear, practical ways to make paneer curry taste better, faster, and more authentically than ever.