Description
A classic Indian Saag Paneer recipe featuring creamy spinach cooked with fragrant spices and soft, pan-fried paneer cheese. This flavorful vegetarian dish is perfect served with naan or basmati rice and is easily customizable to be vegan or gluten-free.
Ingredients
Scale
Saag Paneer Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 1–2 green chilies, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 12 oz fresh spinach (or frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1/2 cup water or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or plain yogurt
- 7 oz paneer, cubed and lightly pan-fried (optional)
- Fresh lemon juice to finish
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat ghee or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until golden, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, and green chilies and cook for 1–2 minutes more until fragrant.
- Add Spices: Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and garam masala. Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices, releasing their flavors.
- Cook Spinach: Add the spinach and water or vegetable broth. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, or until spinach is wilted and tender. Let cool slightly before blending.
- Blend Spinach Mixture: Blend the cooked spinach mixture until mostly smooth, or leave it slightly chunky based on your preference.
- Simmer with Cream: Return the blended spinach mixture to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream or yogurt and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Paneer: Fold in the pan-fried paneer cubes and cook for another 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Finish and Serve: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish to brighten the flavor. Serve hot with naan or basmati rice.
Notes
- To make it vegan, substitute paneer with tofu and use coconut milk instead of cream.
- Frozen chopped spinach can be used as a time-saving alternative; just thaw and squeeze out excess water before use.
- Adjust green chilies for desired spice level or omit for mild flavor.
- Paneer can be pan-fried until golden brown for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
