Paneer Jalfrezi - a classic spicy curry made with Indian cottage cheese, mixed bell peppers and spices. It is packed full of flavours, perfect for get-togethers, curry nights or any special occasion.
This restaurant style paneer jalfrezi recipe gets ready in less than 30 minutes, makes a great choice for a weekend feast and pairs well with naan or rice.
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What is Jalfrezi
Jalfrezi is one of the most popular dishes in Indian restaurants in the UK. In terms of heat levels(chilli-hot) Jalfrezi is generally misunderstood as 'medium hot curry' in most of Indian restaurants, but actually, it is a spicy curry. In fact, the word is derived from Bengali where 'Jhal' means spicy.
The vegetarian version Paneer Jalfrezi is a tangy and spicy semi-dry dish where paneer is cooked with onion, tomato, green chillies, bell peppers and spices. Jalfrezi is a delicious, crowd-pleasing curry for any special occasion and a perfect fuss-free dish to have as part of the party buffet spread. The base gravy can be made ahead and toss the paneer and sliced vegetables just before you plan to serve your guests. This paneer recipe will impress your guests and make them think you have spent hours in the kitchen!
Ingredients
Vegetables: onion (chopped and sliced), tomato puree and tomato (sliced), ginger-garlic paste, sliced ginger, sliced yellow, green and red bell peppers(capsicum), green chilli and fresh coriander leaves.
Spices and Condiments: cumin, turmeric powder, red chili powder/cayenne pepper, coriander powder, garam masala, salt and tomato ketchup.
Paneer: I have used store bought paneer but you can use fresh homemade ones.
How to make paneer jalfrezi?
1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, add cumin seeds and saute for a minute or until it changes colour.
2. Add chopped onions, ginger-garlic paste, green chilli and saute for 5-7 minutes until the onion starts browning.
3. Put tomato puree, turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, mix well and cook for 5 minutes or until oil separates from the onion-tomato gravy.
4. Mix in tomato ketchup and cook for a minute.
5. Stir in sliced onion, tomato, mixed peppers (capsicum) and saute for 2 minutes.
6. Now reduce the flame to low heat, add paneer and mix gently until well combined. finish off with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve spicy and tasty jalfrezi curry with rice or naan.
Variations and Substitutions
Fresh tomato puree can be substituted with canned chopped tomatoes.
For a vegan version, swap tofu for paneer.
You can substitute tomato ketchup with tomato paste, sugar and vinegar.
You can add a few red chillies to make the curry spicier. Break them into two or three pieces and then fry them with cumin.
You can use half oil and half butter to enhance the flavour of paneer curry.
I have used homemade tomato puree. You may use store-bought ones if you don't have enough time to make it at home.
Serving Suggestions
Jalfrezi pairs well with naan, paratha, kulcha or any flatbread.
This semi-dry dish goes well with flavoured rice dishes - jeera rice, vegetable pulao and saffron rice and matar pulao.
Tips and Tricks
Ensure mixed peppers (capsicum) are just half cooked so that the raw aroma vanishes and it retains its crunchiness.
The quality of paneer determines the texture and softness of paneer. Ensure the paneer is fresh and not expired.
If the paneer is hard, cut and soak it in warm water for 5-10 minutes to make it soft.
To save time pre-cut vegetables, make-ahead onion tomato masala and keep them in the refrigerator. Toss the sliced vegetables and paneer with onion tomato masala just before you plan to serve. Check the seasoning and adjust it to your taste.
Notes
Adjust spices as per your preferred spice levels. Jalfrezi is generally a spicy dish but feel free to customise it to suit your taste buds.
Scale up the measurements as per your required quantity.
Storage
Fridge: This easy paneer jalfrezi stays good for 2-3 days in the fridge if stored properly in a clean airtight container.
Freezer: Make a big batch ahead of time. Once the curry cools down, divide it into required portions in freezer-safe containers and store them in the freezer.
Defrost: Thaw the paneer curry the night before you plan to consume it. Take a portion out of the freezer and pop it in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop until piping hot.
FAQ
Paneer Jalfrezi and Kadai Paneer are both tasty paneer dishes that include tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions, but they differ in cooking methods, appearance, and flavour profiles.
In Paneer Jalfrezi, paneer is cooked alongside colorful bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes in an onion tomato based gravy with spices.
Kadai Paneer is traditionally made in a kadai or a similar pan. Dried red chilies, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds are key ingredients used. Cooked in a thick, flavorful onion tomato-based sauce, the paneer is combined with onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. The roasted and crushed whole spices give the dish its distinct flavour.
More Restaurant Style Paneer Curry
Bhindi Do Pyaza: It is a simple and delicious spicy stir-fried okra.
Aloo 65: It is a south Indian spicy starter, prepared with deep-fried battered potato cubes flavoured with red chillies, curry leaves and tossed in yogurt-based sauce.
Yogurt Mint Sauce: A classic condiment served with poppadum’s in Indian restaurants.
Jeera Aloo: A simple side dish that gets done in minutes and pairs well with chapathi, paratha and poori.
Paneer Majestic: A classic restaurant-style Hyderabadi appetiser made in a flavourful yogurt-based sauce.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Do let me know if you try this easy paneer jalfrezi recipe. If you like this recipe kindly consider rating it using stars in the comment section or on the recipe card to help more people find this recipe online. You can stay up to date by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribing to my Youtube channel. Or why not subscribe to my blog and get simple recipes straight to your inbox?
📖 Recipe Card
Paneer Jalfrezi | Restaurant style paneer curry
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250ml ; 1 Tablespoon = 15ml ; 1 Teaspoon =5ml
- 3 Tablespoon Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 81 gm Onions finely chopped
- 1 Teaspoon Ginger garlic paste
- 1 Green chillies slit
- 95 gm Tomato puree
- ¼ Teaspoon Turmeric
- 1.5 Teaspoon Chilli powder/ Cayenne Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Coriander powder
- 1 Teaspoon Garam masala
- Salt as required
- 57 gm Tomato ketchup
- 42 gm Onions sliced
- 56 gm Tomatoes deseed and sliced
- 118 gm Mixed bell peppers /Capsicum deseed and sliced
- 1 inch Ginger cut into thin strips
- 200 gms Paneer cut into 1 inch strips
- handful Coriander leaves chopped
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, add cumin seeds and saute for few seconds. Let them sizzle and change colour.3 Tablespoon Oil, 1 Teaspoon Cumin seeds
- Add chopped onion, ginger-garlic paste, green chilli and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the onion starts browning.81 gm Onions, 1 Teaspoon Ginger garlic paste, 1 Green chillies
- Put tomato puree, dry spices, salt, mix well and cook for 5 minutes or until oil separates from the onion-tomato gravy.95 gm Tomato puree, ¼ Teaspoon Turmeric, 1.5 Teaspoon Chilli powder/ Cayenne Pepper, ½ Teaspoon Coriander powder, Salt, 1 Teaspoon Garam masala
- Mix in tomato ketchup and cook for a couple of minute.57 gm Tomato ketchup
- Stir in sliced onion, tomato, ginger, mixed bell peppers (capsicum) and saute for 2 minutes.42 gm Onions, 56 gm Tomatoes, 118 gm Mixed bell peppers /Capsicum, 1 inch Ginger
- Add paneer and mix gently until well combined.200 gms Paneer
- Finally add chopped coriander and switch the flame off.handful Coriander leaves
- Serve spicy and tasty paneer jalfrezi with naan or rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Related
Looking for other paneer curry recipes? Try these:
Welcome to Flavours Treat. I share vegetarian recipes made with wholesome, mostly fresh ingredients. Every recipe has easy-to-follow instructions with process shots (detailed step-wise pictures), a short video and lots of tips to help your cooking journey. Read more
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth
This is surely something I would love to try for guests... that gravy looks nice and rich and just apt to be moped up with some thick naans...
Geetha Priyanka
Yes!! it pairs well with naan. I hope you like it and I am sure guests will come back to you for recipe 🙂
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
Your curry sounds soo good! I really like jalfrezi but never had one with paneer, it might be time to change that! 🙂
Geetha Priyanka
I agree with you. Chicken or lamb jalfrezi is popular in restaurants and take aways. My husband too like chicken jalfrezi. I being a vegetarian love paneer.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
This looks really tasty! I'm trying to eat less meat this year and this would be a great option. I might have to slightly tone down the spice level though!
Geetha Priyanka
I am so pleased to know. Yes!! you may have to reduce the spices if you really can't take spicy food. I hope you like it.
Jagruti Dhanecha
Being a pure vegetrian we love almost all the paneer dishes and jalfrezi is one of them. Such a flavourful, colourful and lip-smacking dish.
Corina Blum
A jalfrezi is one of my husband's favourite curries and the one he most often orders when we are out. Yours looks so tasty and I have to admit I wish I could try some right now!
Geetha Priyanka
I am pleased to know you like this recipe . Jalfrezi never fails to impress us. It is such a flavoursome and delicious curry.
Jacqui Bellefontaine
Ohh I lovemaking meal completely from scratch. This sounds just the tasty type of meal full of flavour that I crave in winter. Thank you for linking to #CookBlogShare
Geetha Priyanka
Yes Jacqui this spicy curry is perfect to enjoy in winter. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my recipes in CookBlogShare.
AVIN
Lovely recipe. Video really made it easier to understand how to make it. Now going to try this soon. ????
Geetha Priyanka
I am happy to know you find video helpful. Do try and let me know how you enjoyed it.
Jayashree
This is delicious, with all those spices. We love paneer at home. shall give this a try.
Geetha Priyanka
I am glad to know you like this curry. I would love to know how you enjoyed it.
Lata Lala
Paneer jalfrezi is my family's favourite dish. This recipe is saviour when sudden guests arrive and you need to serve vegetarian fare.
Thank you for the detailed recipe.
Geetha Priyanka
I am pleased to know Lata. I agree with you this is a perfect recipe to serve guest.