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Everyday Indian RecipesIndian Main CourseVideo Recipes

Restaurant Style Paneer Jalfrezi

written by Hina Gujral June 21, 2020
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Paneer Jalfrezi is a delicious, gluten-free, one-pot Indian stir fry (sabzi) with cottage cheese (paneer) and vegetables. It is quick, easy, and takes less than 30 minutes to get ready. Jalfrezi is probably the best side – dish to serve with dal makhani and naan.

Aerial shot of paneer jalfrezi in an oval, white ceramic serving dish.

About Jalfrezi

In recent years, vegetable jalfrezi has gained quite a rank in popularity charts of vegetarian Indian dishes.

The word ‘Jalfrezi’ or ‘Jhalfrezi’ or ‘zalfrezi’ is a combination of two words Jhal + Pharezi. Jhal is a Bengali word for spicy and Pharezi in Urdu means suitable for diet. Hence, a spicy stir fry of vegetables suitable for eating.

The dish was mainly developed during the colonial era to suit the British palate.

Over the years the vegetable jalfrezi became highly popular because it’s so easy to adapt and customize. Plus the taste has a hint of spices yet not so much chili or heat. Perfect for a novice Indian food lover.

Hence, today vegetable jalfrezi can be spotted on the menu of many Indian restaurants worldwide. It is one of those modern Indian dishes that are loved for their uncomplicated process and BIG flavors.

Side shot of vegetable jalfrezi in a white ceramic serving bowl.

What is Paneer Jalfrezi?

Paneer Jalfrezi is a version of vegetable jalfrezi with the addition of Indian cottage cheese (paneer) along with the bell peppers. It is a fantastic gluten-free, vegetarian side-dish.

Recipe Variations:

You can skip paneer and make vegetable jalfrezi with vegetables such as cauliflower, potato, bell peppers, onion, and capsicum.

You can make the dish saucier by adding 1 Cup of water or vegetable stock.

Or make vegan jalfrezi by adding tofu chunks along with vegetables of your choice.

My Reasons To LOVE Jalfrezi

I will give you not one but many reasons to love this dish.

naturally gluten-free & vegetarian

one-pot dish

ready in 30 minutes

highly customizable

meal-prep friendly

Step-By-Step Stovetop Method

  • Heat oil in a wok or stir fry pan over medium flame.
  • Add cumin seeds and nigella seeds. Cook for 10 seconds. Add sliced onion, fry till onion softens. Add ginger-garlic paste and fry for a minute.
  • Next, add the tomato sauce, salt, and spices. Stir to combine. Add 1/4 cup of water, mix, and cook the masala over low heat for 1 – 2 minutes.
Collage Of Vegetable Jalfrezi Cooking Steps
  • Add the colored bell peppers, capsicum, and fry again on high flame for 2 minutes to cook the vegetables.
  • At last add paneer strips, sliced tomato, dried fenugreek leaves, and gently mix them until all the masalas coat all the vegetables and paneer. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes but do not stir very frequently otherwise paneer will crumble.
  • Sprinkle sliced ginger and coriander leaves before serving.
Collage Of Vegetable Jalfrezi Cooking Steps

Serving Suggestions…

Jalfrezi pairs well with:

naan bread and dal makhani

jeera rice or steamed basmati rice

chapati, roti or any other flatbread

boiled quinoa or bulgar wheat

Watch Paneer Jalfrezi Recipe Video

FAQ’s Related To Paneer Jalfrezi:

Are vegetable jalfrezi and paneer jalfrezi the same?

Paneer Jalfrezi, when cooked without paneer, is called vegetable jalfrezi. You can add a variety of mixed vegetables to the jalfrezi. Both the versions are cooked in a tomato-based gravy along with sautéed onions, ginger, and flavourful Indian spices.  

How to make vegan jalfrezi?  

To make vegan jalfrezi either skip adding paneer (cottage cheese) or use tofu instead of paneer. Vegetable Jalfrezi without paneer is naturally vegan.

What to do with leftover Paneer Jalfrezi?

The leftover jalfrezi can be stir-fried along with steamed rice to make a pulao/fried rice or use it as a stuffing for wraps and sandwiches. 

Aerial shot of paneer jalfrezi in an oval, white ceramic serving dish with roti on the side.

More Indian Paneer Recipes For You

Paneer Butter Masala

Matar Paneer Curry

Kadai Paneer

Paneer Kofta Curry

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

Aerial shot of paneer jalfrezi in an oval, white ceramic serving dish.

Paneer Jalfrezi Recipe

Paneer Jalfrezi is a delicious, gluten-free, one-pot Indian stir fry (sabzi) with cottage cheese and vegetables. Learn how to make vegetable jalfrezi in a few simple steps.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 adults
Calories: 363kcal
Author: Hina Gujral
  • Heavy Bottom Kadhai

Ingredients

  • 250 Gram Paneer (cottage cheese), cut into strips
  • 1 Cup sliced onion
  • 1 Cup sliced red bell pepper
  • 1 Cup sliced green capsicum
  • 1 Cup sliced tomato (discard pulp and seeds)
  • 1 Teaspoon nigella seeds (kalonji)
  • 1 Teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 Tablespoon ginger & garlic paste
  • 1/2 Cup tomato sauce or ketchup
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 Teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 Teaspoon red chilli powder or to taste
  • 2 Teaspoon coriander powder
  • 4 Tablespoon mustard oil or cooking oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Kasuri Methi or Dried Fenugreek Leaves

Ingredients For Garnish:

  • 1 Tablespoon thinly sliced ginger

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a wok or stir fry pan over medium flame.
  • Add cumin seeds and nigella seeds. Cook for 10 seconds. Add sliced onion, fry till onion softens. Add ginger-garlic paste and fry for a minute.
  • Next, add the tomato sauce, salt, and spices. Stir to combine. Add 1/4 cup of water, mix, and cook the masala over low heat for 1 – 2 minutes.
  • Add the colored bell peppers, capsicum, and fry again on high flame for 2 minutes to cook the vegetables.
  • At last add paneer strips, sliced tomato, dried fenugreek leaves, and gently mix them until all the masalas coat all the vegetables and paneer. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes but do not stir very frequently otherwise paneer will crumble.
  • Sprinkle sliced ginger and coriander leaves before serving.
  • Serve Paneer Jalfrezi warm with chapati or naan.

Recipe Notes:

  • Jalfrezi is a quick stir-fry and has a crunch to it. Hence, do not cook the vegetables for too long. 
  • Instead of tomato sauce, you can add tomato pasta sauce or canned tomatoes along with a teaspoon of sugar. 
  • Adjust the amount of red chili powder as per your taste preference. If you want to make it spicier, add sliced green chili.
  • From colorful bell peppers, carrot, cauliflower to potato, you can add any vegetable of choice in jalfrezi. 
  • For cooking, you can use olive oil, coconut oil, mustard oil, or any other cooking oil available. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 402mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1851IU | Vitamin C: 87mg | Calcium: 334mg | Iron: 1mg
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Restaurant Style Paneer Jalfrezi was last modified: December 27th, 2020 by Hina Gujral
428shares
10 comments
Hina Gujral

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

previous post
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10 comments

Tara nair November 21, 2013 - 6:44 PM

Very tempting. I would be glad if you come up with (publish) a cookbook. I will be the first to have one with me…. bet ya

Reply
Shiju Sugunan November 28, 2013 - 2:04 AM

Tried it. It was awesome. Thanks for the recipe. And the pictures are great as usual.

Reply
Hema Bhakuni June 24, 2020 - 9:18 PM

I tried it for dinner. Came out nice. Thank you dear.

Reply
Hina Gujral June 24, 2020 - 11:35 PM

thank you for your valuable feedback!

Reply
Hina Gujral June 24, 2020 - 11:37 PM

Always my pleasure. Glad you liked it!

Reply
Nikki June 24, 2020 - 10:16 PM

Wow delight for vegetarians ❤️

Reply
Hina Gujral June 24, 2020 - 11:37 PM

I truly, agree with you.

Reply
kamal June 24, 2020 - 10:18 PM

Yummy

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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