Paneer jalfrezi recipe – semi dry Indian curry made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and vegetables. This paneer jalfrezi is the vegetarian version of popular chicken Jalfrezi. Vegans can easily use tofu in place of paneer!
What is jalfrezi?
Jalfrezi is a a quick stir of strips of meat in a thick, spicy and tangy sauce. It is from Asian cuisine but very popular in UK. Chicken jalfrezi is the most popular jalfrezi recipe.
Vegetarians can use strips of vegetables to make veg kalfrezi. If you need more texture then you can paneer strips and it becomes paneer jalfrezi. Vegans can use tofu in place of paneer.
Paneer jalfrezi recipe I am sharing here today is a very easy to make with minimum grinding work. You just need to puree the tomatoes here. If you are in short of time you can even use ready made tomato puree. Apart from usual Indian spices, addition of vinegar and sugar is a specialty in jalfrezi recipes.
I have eaten paneer jalfrezi in few restaurants and often they will be laden with cream, however when I make at home I add loads of veggies and avoid cream to keep the flavors clean. Addition of paneer cubes adds enough richness to the jalfrezi recipe, there is absolutely no need for cream here.
To make paneer jalfrezi recipe, you can either cube the vegetables and paneer or slice them into wedges. I prefer slicing them long just like we get in restaurants. If you want to use this paneer jalfrezi for filling in kathi rolls, do slice the vegetables and paneer into wedges. I have added vegetables like baby corn, carrots, bell peppers. You can add any crunchy vegetable in this recipe.
More paneer recipes:
How to make paneer jalfrezi recipe
1. Chop all the vegetables into long fingers. Slice the paneer into wedges. Set aside. Puree 2 large or 3-4 medium tomatoes.
2. Heat a kadai and add 3 teaspoons oil. Add cumin seeds and dried red chillies. Let them splutter.
3. Add thinly sliced onions and saute well.
4. Next add crushed ginger and saute well.
5. Now add all the vegetables and saute in high flame for 4-5 minutes.
6. Add tomato puree and mix well.
7. Season with salt, sugar, garam masala and coriander powder. Mix well and cook till the tomato puree is completely cooked and turns semi dry. Add vinegar and mix well.
8.Continue to cook in high flame for 5 more minutes.
9. Add the paneer slices and toss gently.
10. Finally add kauri methi and mix well. Serve paneer jalfrezi hot.
vegans can use firm tofu instead of paneer.
Paneer jalfrezi recipe card below:
Paneer Jalfrezi Recipe
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Paneer jalfrezi recipe, easy and quick spicy and tangy side dish with vegetables and paneer cubes!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: how to make paneer jalfrezi, paneer jalfrezi recipe
Servings: 3
Calories: 244 kcal
Ingredients (1 cup=250 ml)
- 1 cup paneer cut into long stripes
- 1 green bell pepper sliced into long wedges
- 1 large carrot peeled and sliced into thin fingers
- 2 baby corn chopped into thin fingers
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 large or 3-4 medium tomatoes pureed
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 dried red chilli
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kasuri methi
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- Small piece of ginger crushed
- Salt
- Oil
Instructions
- Cut the vegetables,onions and paneer.
- Heat oil in a kadai and temper with cumin seeds and red chilli
Next add thinly sliced onions and saute well
- Add crushed ginger and saute well
Now add the cut vegetables and saute i high flame for 4-5 minutes.
- Add tomato puree and mix well.
Season with salt, sugar, coriander powder, garam masala and mix well.
- Cook till the tomatoes are well cooked.
- Add vinegar and continue to cook
Now add paneer cubes and toss gently
- Garnish with crushed kasuri methi and serve paneer jalfrezi hot
Recipe Notes
1. You can add 1 teaspoon lemon juice towards the end if you do not have vinegar.
2. Do not miss the sugar as it enhances the flavor and taste.
Easy paneer Jalfrezi, totally irresistible.
Paneer jalfrezi is my favorite. Thanks for sharing
Tasty and colorful jalfrezi.
Made this restaurant style paneer jalfrezi and loved it.
Easy and delicious, thanks so much for sharing. I love the combination of flavors, especially that you added baby corn. Great touch.
wonderful recipe for paneer jalfrezi, thanks.
Looks delicious and yummy.
Healthy, colorful and yummy paneer jalfrezi.