banner
logologo
search
INGREDIENTSdown
CUISINESdown

Authentic Saag Paneer

Saag paneer is a classic Indian dish of cooked spinach studded with cubes of fried paneer cheese. Thickened with cream or coconut milk, it's a hearty and filling vegetarian meal.

Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
4

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 2 bunches spinach, roughly chopped

  • 1 bunch fenugreek leaves, roughly chopped

  • 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided

  • ½ pound paneer, cubed

  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 1 onion, thinly sliced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

  • 1 tomato, diced

  • 2 teaspoons garam masala

  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream

  • salt to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make authentic saag paneer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil; add spinach and fenugreek and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain well.

    A colander of boiled spinach

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Transfer to a food processor and blend until finely chopped, about 5 pulses.

    A food processor with coarsely chopped spinach

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add paneer cubes and fry until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer paneer onto a plate.

    A pan with browned cubes of paneer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons canola oil in the same skillet over medium heat; add cumin seeds and fry until lightly toasted and aromatic, about 3 minutes.

    A large pan with cumin seeds frying in oil

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and stir to coat.

    A pan with cumin seeds, sliced onion, garlic, and ginger

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Stir in tomato, garam masala, turmeric, and cayenne pepper; cook until tomato breaks down, stirring often, about 10 minutes.

    A pan of sliced onions and tomatoes, cooking down in spices

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Stir in pureed spinach mixture, paneer cubes, and cream; add salt to taste.

    A pan of saag paneer being stirred with tongs

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    A bowl of saag paneer, served over rice, with a pan of saag paneer in the backgrounf

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tip

You can substitute coconut milk for the cream.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

299 Calories
20g Fat
18g Carbs
17g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 299
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 29mg 10%
Sodium 480mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 17g 34%
Vitamin C 108mg 120%
Calcium 366mg 28%
Iron 16mg 90%
Potassium 1190mg 25%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

goTop