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Fun FOOD Frolic

  • Home
  • About Hina
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    • Appetizers/Snacks
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Indian Main CourseVideo Recipes

Paneer Butter Masala – No Onion No Garlic!

written by Hina Gujral October 7, 2020
1.5Kshares
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This paneer butter masala recipe is a delicious, rich, creamy Indian paneer curry without using onion and garlic. It has a smooth and luscious gravy that is perfect to relish with chapati or naan or poori. It is a true restaurant-style paneer makhani perfect for festive feasts.

aerial shot of paneer makhani in an oval serving platter

No Onion No Garlic Paneer Butter Masala

According to Google, there are millions of results when you search for a ‘paneer butter masala recipe’. 

What is so special about my paneer butter masala recipe? It has a thick, creamy, sweet, and spicy famous makhani gravy prepared without using onion, garlic, ginger, or cream.

It is a simple and easy version of my restaurant style paneer butter masala.

No artificial color is added to this makhani masala. It is an all-natural, homemade makhani sauce that does the magic and the end result is a real outburst of flavors.

aerial shot of paneer in a rich makhani gravy on a black wok

The Sattvic Diet

In India, no onion no garlic diet is one of the most common food preferences.

A large number of the Indian population follow this kind of diet regime due to religious preferences or on certain Hindu festivals like Navratri, Janmashtmi, Diwali people cook sattvic food without onion and garlic.

Hence, there are tons of Indian food recipes without onion or garlic. Jain Style Paneer Makhani is one such no onion no garlic paneer recipe.

Watch Paneer Butter Masala Video

My Tried & True Tips

Soak paneer in lukewarm water for 5 – 10 minutes. This process makes paneer super soft and mouth-melting.

Use the bright red ripe tomatoes for the gravy. These tomatoes will give the color to the gravy.

After grinding it is essential to filter the makhani gravy using a sieve before adding paneer. This step makes the gravy restaurant style smooth.

Do not add too much water while grinding the masala as the paneer butter masala has a thick and luscious gravy.

If the makhani gravy is too thick, add 1/4 cup milk or cashew milk to get the desired consistency.

Instead of sugar, you can use 1/4 cup tomato paste or sauce as well. Nowadays, there are no onion no garlic tomato sauce, or ketchup easily available in the supermarkets. 

I highly recommend using Kashmiri red chilies, one they are mild in taste, second, they give a bright color to the gravy.

The kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves) give the most sort after flavor and aroma to the butter masala gravy. It is a key ingredient for this paneer makhani recipe.

aerial shot of paneer butter masala on a white pan

Serving Suggestions

This is a typical Mughlai style curry. It tastes perfect with whole wheat naan, paratha, poori, jeera rice, or even simple chapati.

For an indulgent festive feast serve paneer butter masala with jeera aloo, mint raita, suji halwa, and poori.

For a low carb combination serve makhani gravy with quinoa or brown rice.

aerial shot of paneer butter masala in a traditional serveware

More Paneer Recipes For You:

Paneer Kali Mirch

Paneer Jalfrezi

Paneer Pulao

Matar Paneer

Chilli Paneer

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If you try this recipe and love it, please leave a comment and a Star Rating. This helps us grow and reach many other food lovers like you, who are looking for a perfect tried and tested recipe. 

side close up shot of paneer makhani in a copper serveware

Paneer Butter Masala (No Onion No Garlic Recipe)

This paneer butter masala recipe is a delicious, rich, creamy Indian paneer curry without using onion or garlic. Learn how to make restaurant-style paneer makhani in a few simple steps.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 336kcal
Author: Hina Gujral
  • Heavy Bottom Kadhai

Ingredients

  • 200 gram paneer (cottage cheese), cut into cubes
  • 1/4 Cup ghee
  • 1/4 Cup cashew
  • 3 – 4 Kashmiri red chilli
  • 1 1/4 Cup chopped tomato (ripe and red)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garam masala powder (see recipe)
  • 1/2 Cup water
  • 1 tablespoon Kasuri Methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander

Instructions

  • Heat ghee in a heavy bottom kadhai or wok over medium flame. Add red chili and cashews. Fry for 10 – 20 seconds.
  • Next, add chopped tomato and season with salt. Cook the tomatoes till they are mushy and the oil starts separating from the masala.
  • Once tomato masala is ready, add water and stir to mix. Turn off the heat. Transfer the tomato masala to a blender. Grind to a smooth paste.
  • In the same pan, add the makhani sauce. Filter it using a sieve or fine mesh to get a smooth gravy.
  • Add red chili powder, sugar, garam masala, and salt. Stir to combine. Bring the gravy to a boil once, reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 3 – 5 minutes over low heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning according to preference.
  • Now add the paneer cubes to the makhani gravy, stir to combine, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add the crushed kasuri methi leaves and mix nicely. Garnish with cream and fresh coriander.
  • Serve the Paneer Butter Masala with chapati or naan.

Recipe Notes:

  • After grinding it is essential to filter the makhani gravy using a sieve before adding paneer. This step makes the gravy restaurant style smooth.
  • Do not add too much water while grinding the masala as the paneer butter masala has a thick and luscious gravy.
  • Instead of sugar, you can use 1/4 cup tomato paste or sauce as well. Nowadays, there are no onion no garlic tomato sauce, or ketchup easily available in the supermarkets. 
  • Adjust the amount of red chilies and garam masala as per personal preference. My makhani gravy has a mildly sweet taste and low spiciness. 
  • You can store this makhani curry paste. Follow my tips. 

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1286IU | Vitamin C: 120mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 2mg
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Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer Butter Masala – No Onion No Garlic! was last modified: October 21st, 2020 by Hina Gujral
1.5Kshares
12 comments
Hina Gujral

I am a passionate Indian food blogger living in India with my husband and our pug, named Momo.

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12 comments

Roadside Rendezvous October 9, 2013 - 8:02 AM

lovely pics and an interesting recipe

regards

rahul

Reply
Indrani October 9, 2013 - 9:32 AM

I have never done without onions. I must try this.

Reply
The Blah Queen October 9, 2013 - 10:43 AM

wow never tried making it without onion and garlic…and all your posts have lovely pictures !!!

Reply
aliasgarmukhtiar mukhtiar October 9, 2013 - 1:21 PM

yummy, wanna have it

Reply
Namrota October 9, 2013 - 1:23 PM

This looks delicious… and without onion or garlic..wow.. have to give it a try 🙂

Reply
Shiju Sugunan October 10, 2013 - 2:37 AM

Lovely pictures.

Reply
FunFoodand Frolic October 12, 2013 - 6:04 AM

Hahha….I hope your wifey also likes my content because shez the one who has to test the recipes…

Reply
aparna anurag October 10, 2013 - 6:22 PM

wow!!

Reply
Soham Roy October 11, 2013 - 4:37 PM

I have literally forced my Wife to bookmark your site today 😀 … Hence I am truely Thankful to you for these awesome delights..Having said that I doubt if my Wife would be equally Thankful 😉

Reply
Tes October 12, 2013 - 4:20 PM

I love butter chicken and paneer makhani, but I have never tried to cook it from scratch at home yet. I did buy a packaged mix masala to make them, but they didn’t come out right. I think I should try your version.

Reply
Anonymous January 25, 2014 - 8:19 AM

wow…………….it looks as well as tastes yummy…………….I have tried this one.my hubby loved it……………

Reply
Seeta August 28, 2014 - 10:39 AM

I am always on the lookout for jain recipes for days on which we do not eat onion and garlic. will try this one out

Reply

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Hello! I am Hina Gujral

Hello! I am Hina Gujral

I am a passionate food lover. Fun FOOD Frolic is all about tried and tested comforting meals from my kitchen.

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