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.

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 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

Steps

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil; add spinach and fenugreek and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain well.
3. Transfer to a food processor and blend until finely chopped, about 5 pulses.
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.
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.
6. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and stir to coat.
7. Stir in tomato, garam masala, turmeric, and cayenne pepper; cook until tomato breaks down, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
8. Stir in pureed spinach mixture, paneer cubes, and cream; add salt to taste.
9. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.