• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

yellowthyme

  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Instant Pot Indian Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Shop
Home » Instant Pot Recipes » Instant Pot Indian Recipes » Instant Pot Palak Paneer|Saag Paneer(with Video)

Instant Pot Palak Paneer|Saag Paneer(with Video)

6 · Oct 4, 2019 · 9 Comments

Sharing is caring!

667shares
  • Share 38
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot Palak Paneer- Indian Saag Paneer or Spinach and Cottage Cheese Curry made with fresh Spinach Leaves,Warm Spices and Cubed firm Cottage Cheese in the pressure cooker.

This is a shortcut way of making palak paneer.Do check out my post on Dhaba Style Palak Paneer too.

What is Instant Pot Palak Paneer

Punjabi dish made in every household, especially during winter months when the spinach and other fresh greens are abundant.

This is the shortcut way of making palak Paneer in the instant pot.This recipe is a life saviour for busy moms like me, who cant always take out the time to make the more elaborate Palak Paneer recipe on stove top.

You skip the blanching step and pressure cook the spinach for 0 minutes instead.

The whole curry is done in less than 20 minutes.

Instant Pot Palak Paneer in a ladle over the insta pot- Indian Saag Paneer or Spinach and Cottage Cheese Curry made with fresh Spinach Leaves,Spices and Cottage Cheese.

Is Saag Paneer and Palak Paneer Same

Technically no.Though , often, it’s used interchangeably.

When you use only Spinach leaves , the curry is called Palak Paneer.

When you use a combination of spinach, methi, bathua etc then it’s called Saag Paneer.

There is another variant of this called Saag which is made by combination of spinach, bathua and Mustard Greens which is called Sarson ka Saag, served with hot corn flatbreads called Makki ki Roti.

How to make Instant Pot Palak Paneer

ingredients for instant pot palak paneer

Step 1: Prep

Wash the spinach multiple times till its clean and the water runs clear.Cut the onions and tomatoes into rough chunks.

Cut paneer into chunks and refresh it in hot water with a tsp of vinegar.This will soften the paneer.

Step 2 – The onion Tomato Base

Start on the SAUTE mode.Once the pot is hot, add oil.Add the cumin and let it splutter- this releases the cumin flavour in the oil.Add Onions, garlic and ginger and cook till translucent about 2-3 minutes.

Add tomatoes, cashews and spices- coriander, chilli powder and turmeric.

Step 3- Pressure Cook the Spinach

Add the spinach, close the lid and switch to PRESSURE COOK mode for 0 minutes at HIGH pressure.

Spinach doesn’t need to be cooked too much.In fact, the more you cook it, the more dark the gravy and ironish the taste.

Step 4– Blend the Sauce

Using a stick blender or a normal blender, blend it into a silky gravy.Add it back to the instant pot.

Step 5- Add Paneer and Cream

Add the paneer and give it a mix.Do not cook further.

Garnish with heavy cream and serve hot.

Instant Pot Palak Paneer in a copper kadai with rotis- Indian Saag Paneer or Spinach and Cottage Cheese Curry made with fresh Spinach Leaves,Spices and Cottage Cheese.

Tips and Tricks for Palak Paneer

Wash your spinach in your salad spinner and spin out all the excess water.This will make sure that spinach doesn’t release too much water while cooking it.

Do not cook the curry once add the paneer.This will keep the paneer and the gravy fresh.

Add a Tempering of oil, jeera and asafetida over the palak paneer just before serving for an extra oomph.

Trick to Make Soft Paneer

How to store Paneer– Store your paneer in a closed box full of water and 1 tbsp of vinegar.This way the paneer will stay fresh for long.

To make old paneer fresh and soft – Soak the paneer in hot water with a tbsp of vinegar for 10 minutes before adding to any curry.

Vegan Palak Paneer– Substitute paneer with firm tofu and fresh cream with cashew cream for a vegan,dairy free version of palak paneer.

Gluten Free Palak Paneer– Palak paneer is gluten free naturally.Serve it with rice to complete the meal.

High Protein/Healthier Palak Paneer– Substitute the paneer with Tofu and skip the cream to make this instant pot saag paneer healthier.

Instant Pot Palak Paneer- Indian Saag Paneer or Spinach and Cottage Cheese Curry made with fresh Spinach Leaves,Spices and Cottage Cheese.

Indian Instant Pot Recipes that you will love

Instant Pot Rajma
Instant Pot Saag
Instant Pot Langarwali Dal
Instant Pot Dal Makhani
Instant Pot Butter Chicken

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |  PINTEREST
Don’t forget to tag #instantpotdishes on Instagram if you try my recipe I feel AWESOME when you try one of my recipes and I’d love to see it. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too!

You can also join our community of instant potters to discover share and connect with likeminded people.

Instant Pot Saag Paneer

Instant Pot Saag Paneer -Easy to make recipe of the Famous Indian dish made with Spinach and Cottage Cheese.Best served with Rice or Naans.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Curry
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: The Best Palak Paneer
Servings: 5

Ingredients

  • 3 Cups Spinach Palak
  • 1 Cup Paneer Firm Cottage Cheese Cubed
  • 1 Tbsp Oil
  • 2 Cloves Garlic- Minced
  • 1 inch Ginger-Minced
  • 1 medium Onion Chopped about 1/2 cup
  • 1 large Tomato Chopped about 1 cup
  • 1/4 Cup Cashews
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Cream for Garnish

Spices

  • 1 tbsp Coriander powder
  • 1 tsp Red chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric

Instructions

Prepare the Paneer

  • Cut the paneer into cubes and submerge in warm water till you get everything else done.

Instant Pot Saag Paneer

  • Heat the instant pot in SAUTE mode.
  • Add oil, once the pot is hot.
  • Tip in the onions, ginger and garlic next.Cook them till they turn translucent -about 2-3 minutes
  • Add the tomatoes,ginger,garlic and cashews and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the spices next- coriander powder,chilli powder and turmeric.
  • Add 1/2 Cup water and deglaze the bottom of the inner pot.
  • Add spinach and mix.Cancel Saute
  • Close the lid, select PRESSURE COOK on HIGH for 0 minutes.Quick Release the pressure after the cooking time is over.
  • Using an immersion blender, blend everything to a paste.
  • Add Cottage Cheese Cubes and garnish with cream.
  • Serve hot.

Video

Notes

To make the palak paneer gravy silky smooth- Grind the onion tomato masala before adding the spinach puree.
If you liked the recipe, please give it 5 stars and leave a comment below.
5 from 6 votes
Keep in TouchFollow and like my facebook page yellowthyme!
6

Authentic Indian Vegetarian Recipes, Instant Pot Indian Recipes, Instant Pot Indian Vegetarian Recipes, Instant Pot Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Caitlyn says

    February 26, 2020 at 12:18 am

    Hi! How much spinach do we need and do you purée it first? Thanks!

    Reply
    • chhavi says

      February 26, 2020 at 7:23 am

      About 3-4 cups of spinach will work..just read the recipe card at the end for exact details..

      Reply
  2. Jocelyn says

    March 13, 2020 at 2:59 am

    Hi, thanks for the recipe! How long do you pressure cook for? The recipe says ‘0 minutes’

    Reply
    • chhavi says

      March 13, 2020 at 9:31 am

      yes..select the time as “0”

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi there!! I am Chhavi

I am Chhavi.Contact me on ...

Read On →

Free Email Course

Privacy Policy

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
  • Authentic Indian Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Desserts & Cakes
  • Millets,Quinoa & Grain Recipes
  • Instant Pot Indian Recipes
  • Work With Me

Copyright © 2021 · Seasoned Pro

  • 38