Last updated on January 12th, 2018
Paneer lababdar recipe with step by step photos. Rich, creamy and delicious Punjabi restaurant style paneer lababdar recipe.
Paneer lababdar recipe is a very rich and creamy side dish recipe. This restaurant style paneer lababdar recipe I am sharing today is on reader’s request for easy paneer recipes. This recipe is a very simple one. Only thing is it a bit high on fat due to cashews and cream. The addition of cashew paste and cream makes this paneer lababdar recipe a truly indulgent and special dish. Check out more easy paneer recipes here.
I tasted this paneer lababdar in a restaurant first. I have been making this paneer lababdar at home occasionally. I use Tarla dalal’s paneer lababdar recipe as base. I modified the recipe to add cashew paste and leave out corn flour. Addition of cashew paste makes the gravy very smooth and gives enough thickness. The tomato puree adds the required tang to the gravy. I however add some lemon juice, it just elevates the flavor. Like many Punjabi curries, good amount of crushed kasuri methi is added in this paneer lababdar recipe too. Kasuri methi just improves the flavor.
To make paneer lababdar recipe at home, it is best to use homemade soft paneer. If using store bought paneer, you can saute the paneer cubes slightly. You can even keep the paneer cubes in hot water until use. If you want to avoid fresh cream, you can add some malai or just leave out.
Serve paneer labadar with naan, roti, poori, jeera rice or even steamed basmati rice. Here is how to make paneer lababdar recipe, do try out.
If you are looking for more easy paneer recipes do check palak paneer, paneer capsicum, tawa paneer masala
How to make paneer lababdar recipe
1. Chop paneer into cubes. You can saute the paneer in some ghee or butter if needed. I used plain paneer.
2. Soak 10 cashews in 1/4 cup hot water for 10 minutes.
3. Wash and roughly chop the tomatoes. Puree the tomato in a blender. grind the soaked cashews into smooth paste in the same jar.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons butter or oil in a kadai. Once the oil is hot, add the whole spices. Saute for 2 minutes.
5. Add minced ginger garlic and saute well till the raw smell goes off.
6. Add finely chopped onion and saute till the onion changes color slightly.
7. Add the pureed tomato and cook well. Cook till the tomato puree thickens and leaves out oil.
8. Add coriander power and chili powder. Mix well.
9. Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil.
8. Add cashew paste and mix well. Season with salt. Add 1/2 cup more water and mix well. Simmer till gravy thickens.
9. Add fresh cream and simmer for 4-5 minutes. DO not let boil.
10. Add the paneer cubes and simmer for 2 more minutes. Add crushed kasuri methi and mix well.
11. Remove from flame. Add chopped cilantro leaves, lemon juice. Mix well gently without breaking the paneer cubes. Serve paneer lababdar hot with rice/roti/poori
Vegan option
1. Use tofu cubes instead of paneer
2. Leave out fresh cream.
Paneer lababdar recipe card below

- 200 grams paneer cut into cubes
- 2 large tomatoes chopped roughly
- 10 cashews
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger garlic
- 1 big onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- Salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh cream
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped coriander/cilantro leaves
- Oil/butter
- Water
- Whole spices
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cloves
- 1 black cardamom
- 2 green cardamom
- Chop paneer into cubes. You can saute the paneer in some ghee or butter if needed. I used plain paneer.
- Soak 10 cashews in 1/4 cup hot water for 10 minutes.
- Wash and roughly chop the tomatoes. Puree the tomato in a blender. grind the soaked cashews into smooth paste in the same jar.
- Heat 2 tablespoons butter or oil in a kadai. Once the oil is hot, add the whole spices. Saute for 2 minutes.
- Add minced ginger garlic and saute well till the raw smell goes off.
- Add finely chopped onion and saute till the onion changes color slightly.
- Add the pureed tomato and cook well. Cook till the tomato puree thickens and leaves out oil.
- Add coriander power and chili powder. Mix well.
- Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil.
- Add cashew paste and mix well. Season with salt. Add 1/2 cup mor water and mix well. Simmer till gravy thickens and reaches required consistency.
- Add fresh cream and simmer for 4-5 minutes. DO not let boil.
- Add the paneer cubes and simmer for 2 more minutes. Add crushed kasuri methi and mix well.
- Remove from flame. Add chopped cilantro leaves, lemon juice and mix well gently without breaking the paneer cubes. Serve paneer lababdar hot with rice/roti/poori
1. You can leave out fresh cream if you don't prefer.
2. You can add 1/2 teaspoon garam masala along with coriander powder
Ek dum perfect. Looks so delicious.