Indian Grilled Paneer Recipe

Grilled Paneer is a tasty and healthy Indian snack. Here is my tried and tested grilled paneer recipe which you can easily make in a pan.

What is Paneer?

Paneer is a popular vegetarian, gluten-free, soft cheese from the Indian subcontinent. It is known as cottage cheese across the region. Unlike other cheese varieties, paneer is mainly used for making curries, snacks and a variety of Indian dishes.

Grilled Paneer is a widely loved Indian snack. It is made by marinating the cottage cheese in a bold masala paste and then grilling it till charred and cooked.

There are many grilled paneer recipes available over the internet, I am sharing a simple, healthier way of making it without using too many ingredients.

Here are some reasons to LOVE Grilled Paneer

• easy to customise marinade
• serve as a snack or side dish
• wholesome and fulfilling
• meal prep friendly
• gluten-free snack
• protein-rich

Ingredients Required

• Paneer: Use fresh, firm cottage cheese for grilling. Ensure it’s not smelly or slimy to the touch.
• Spices: Cumin Powder, Kashmiri Chilli Powder, Garam Masala, Onion Powder
• Tahini Paste: It is a white sesame seed paste. Tahini gives a delicious nutty flavour and enhances the nutritious value of the paneer. Substitute it with cashew paste or one tablespoon of gram flour (besan).
• Mustard Oil: It gives a sharp, Indian pickle like taste to the marinade and is a healthier choice than refined oil. You can substitute it with coconut or sesame oil.
• Ginger Garlic Paste, Salt, Fresh Coriander Leaves, Lemon Juice

Marinade Paneer

Step 1: Cut paneer into equal pieces of desired size (square or rectangular).

Step 2: Combine mustard oil, tahini or cashew paste, ginger garlic paste, spices, salt, and finely chopped coriander leaves. Mix nicely to make a thick marinade. Taste and if required add more spices or salt.

Step 3: Add paneer pieces to the marinade and coat them with marinade.

Step 4: You can store marinated paneer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days or overnight. It is a meal prep friendly recipe.

How To Grill Paneer

• Start with taking a heavy-duty grill pan preferably cast iron.
• Brush it with mustard oil. DO NOT add too much oil.
• Heat the pan over a high flame till it is nicely hot.
• Arrange the marinated paneer pieces in the pan.
• Press them gently with a tong to get them evenly grilled.
• After 2 – 3 minutes, turn them and grill from the other side.
• Grilled Paneer is ready to serve!

Serving Suggestion

Serve grilled paneer as a tasty and healthy snack with green chutney. For a wholesome meal, serve it as a side dish with a nourishing soup like Vegetable Oats Soup or Creamy Cauliflower Soup.

I like grilled paneer best over a green leafy salad like fattoush or caesar to increase the protein value. It tastes great when tucked inside wraps or sandwiches.

I would not recommend storing grilled paneer as it turns chewy and hard. Instead, store the marinated paneer and grill at your convenience.

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