Matar Paneer is a classic North Indian dish made with soft paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and green peas cooked in a mildly spiced tomato-based gravy. It’s comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make at home. This recipe is perfect for beginners and works great with roti, naan, or rice.
Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
- 200 grams paneer (cut into cubes)
- 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
- 2 medium onions (finely chopped)
- 2 medium tomatoes (pureed)
- 2 tablespoons oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup water (adjust as needed)
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Matar Paneer – Easy Cooking Steps (Very Simple)
- Heat the pan
Put a pan on the stove. Add oil or butter and heat it on medium flame. - Add cumin seeds
When the oil is hot, add cumin seeds. Let them crackle (they will make a popping sound). - Cook the onions
Add chopped onions. Stir and cook until they become light golden in color. - Add ginger-garlic paste
Put ginger-garlic paste in the pan. Cook for 1 minute until the raw smell goes away. - Add tomatoes and spices
Add tomato puree, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
Mix well. - Cook the masala well
Keep cooking and stirring until oil starts coming out from the sides. This means the masala is ready. - Add green peas
Add the peas and mix everything. Cook for 2–3 minutes. - Add water
Pour water into the pan. Cover with a lid and cook for about 5 minutes, until peas are soft. - Add paneer
Add paneer cubes gently. Mix slowly so the paneer does not break. - Final touch
Add garam masala. Mix once and turn off the gas. - Garnish and serve
Add fresh coriander leaves on top. Serve hot with roti, naan, or rice.
Tips for Best Matar Paneer
If you like a slightly sweet taste, add a pinch of sugar.
Soak paneer cubes in warm water for 10 minutes to keep them soft.
For a richer taste, add 2 tablespoons of fresh cream at the end.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve hot with roti, naan, paratha, or jeera rice
- Goes well with a side of onion salad and lemon wedges
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use frozen peas for Matar Paneer?
Yes, frozen peas work perfectly. Just rinse them before using.
2. How do I keep paneer soft?
Soak paneer in warm water for a few minutes before adding it to the gravy.
3. Can I make Matar Paneer without onion and garlic?
Yes, you can skip onion and garlic and add a little extra tomato and ginger for flavor.
4. Is Matar Paneer spicy?
This recipe is mildly spicy. You can adjust the chili powder according to your taste.
5. How long does Matar Paneer stay fresh?
It stays good in the refrigerator for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container.