Paneer Tikka Masala is a spicy, super flavorful and tastes delicious just like in restaurants. Paneer Tikka gravy is made by marinating paneer with hung curd, herbs, spices grilling it then cooking it in onion, tomato based gravy. Paneer Tikka Masala is a great combo with roti, naan, chapati and rice meal and is liked by all for its taste. Learn to make Paneer Tikka Masala with step by step pictures.
Paneer Tikka Masala is my constant order in restaurants after Paneer Butter Masala. this Paneer Tikka Masala tastes close to the restaurant style gravy. This is one of the top popular orders in restaurants. When I want to have spicy gravy then this paneer tikka masala tops the list.
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About Paneer Tikka Masala
Paneer Tikka Masala is a popular North Indian side dish. Paneer Tikka Masala is made first marinating paneer with hung curd, spices and herbs then grilling it until char grilled. This chargrilled paneer cubes are cooked in a onion tomato based gravy and it tastes so delicious.
Traditionally tikkas are made in a Tandoor clay oven which cooks food with heat generated by wood fire which gives it a smoky flavor. We cannot get the exact taste at home but sure can match up to the taste by using an oven or charcoal grilling.
I have recently tried paneer tikkas in oven and thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt the flavor is the best in these tikkas which will be missing in stove top method. But for paneer tikka masala stove top method works good. For the individual tikkas grilling option is better than the stove top so check out for my ‘paneer tikka in oven‘ post.
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Paneer Tikka Masala Ingredients
- Paneer – Choose firm fresh paneer. You can choose to use either homemade or store bought paneer.
- Hung curd – Hang curd in a cheese cloth until all the water drips off to get thick hung curd.
- Spice powders – Turmeric powder, Red chilli powder, Garam masala powder, Chat masala powder and Pepper powders are used here.
- Ginger garlic paste – Ginger garlic paste adds flavor to the gravy.
- Onion, Tomato – Onion tomato forms the base for this gravy.
- Herbs – Coriander leaves and kasoori methi are the herbs used here.
How to make Paneer Tikka Masala Step by Step
1.If you don’t have thick yogurt then hang 1/2 cup curd in a muslin cloth and keep aside for 30 minutes, Your hung curd is ready. Mix all the ingredients listed under ‘For the paneer tikka marination’ so the paneer is coated well with the hung curd spice mixture. Marinate it for an hour. Then toast the marinated paneer.
2.Toast it until golden brown, drain in tissue and set aside. Heat oil add jeera allow it to crackle. Add ginger garlic paste and onion, sauté till slightly browned.
3.Then add the tomato puree, add chili, garam masala, coriander powders and required salt and mix well. Sprinkle little water and bring to a boil.
4.Once the raw smell of tomato leaves and the gravy becomes thick add fresh cream, then toasted paneer.
5.Add little water if its too thick, simmer it for minutes until oil separates. Then add dried kasoori methi and coriander leaves, give a quick stir and switch off.
Paneer tikka masala is ready! Enjoy hot with phulkas / naan or rotis!
Paneer Tikka Stove Top Method
First mix hung curd with masala powders, kasoori methis, lemon juice, salt to a fine paste then add paneer, tomato and capsicum to the fine paste and marinate for an hour.
In a dosa tawa drizzle oil – then toast the marinated paneer along with capsicum and tomatoes in a tawa until golden brown. Turn over to toast evenly. Then drain in a tissue paper and keep aside.
Prick them alternatively in a tooth pick and enjoy your stove top paneer tikkas. So those who don’t have an oven , you can try this method, works great.
Expert Tips
- You can even toast the marinated paneer when the gravy is about to complete may be you can start roasting them in parallel when the tomato puree gets cooked.
- Make sure oil separates and raw smell of tomatoes leaves before adding the cream.
- For a low fat version add 1/4 cup milk and a tablespoon of cream.
- You can skip tomatoes if you dont like them and add different color capsicums for the tikkas. You can use skewers too for making the tikkas in oven.
- Make sure to turn over to toast it evenly on all sides.
Serving and Storage
Paneer Tikka Masala goes well with phulka, chapati, roti, naan, plain basmati rice, jeera rice, pulao etc. Paneer Tikka Masala keeps well in fridge for 2 days.
If you have any more questions about this Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe do mail me at [email protected]. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe Card
Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized onion (cubed)
- 1 medium sized tomato (cubed)
- 1 medium sized capsicum (cubed)
For the marinade:
- 100 grams paneer (cubed)
- 1/4 cup hung curd
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- a pinch turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chat masala powder or tandoori masala powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper powder
- 1/2 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried kasoori methi
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt to taste
For tikka masala:
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/4 cup fresh cream
- 1 medium sized onion (finely chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon kasoori methi
- 1 tablespoon coriander leaves
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- If you don’t have thick yogurt then hang 1/2 cup curd in a muslin cloth and keep aside for 30 minutes, Your hung curd is ready. Mix all the ingredients listed under ‘For the paneer tikka marination’ so the paneer is coated well with the hung curd spice mixture. Marinate it for an hour. Then toast the marinated paneer.
- Toast it until golden brown, drain in tissue and set aside. Heat oil add jeera allow it to crackle. Add ginger garlic paste and onion, sauté till slightly browned.
- Then add the tomato puree, add chili, garam masala, coriander powders and required salt and mix well. Sprinkle little water and bring to a boil.
- Once the raw smell of tomato leaves and the gravy becomes thick add fresh cream, then toasted paneer.
- Add little water if its too thick, simmer it for minutes until oil separates. Then add dried kasoori methi and coriander leaves, give a quick stir and switch off.
- Paneer tikka masala is ready! Enjoy hot with phulkas / naan or rotis!
Notes
- You can even toast the marinated paneer when the gravy is about to complete may be you can start roasting them in parallel when the tomato puree gets cooked.
- Make sure oil separates and raw smell of tomatoes leaves before adding the cream.
- For a low fat version add 1/4 cup milk and a tablespoon of cream.
- You can skip tomatoes if you don’t like them and add different color capsicums for the tikkas. You can use skewers too for making the tikkas in oven.
- Make sure to turn over to toast it evenly on all sides.
Prathibha
paneer tikka is my fav starter…n paneer tikka masala is d most fav one of mine,then after only our PBM 4 me..:)
looks really yumm
RAKS KITCHEN
Yummy one,looks very delicious and loved the clicks too 🙂
Rekha shoban
wow!!delicious n tempting tikka masala!!!nice pic n click!
Nithya
Wow.. I haven't had paneer tikka masala before and the name by itself is making me drool. I recently started loving tikka and your pics are making me really crave for it. I love the 4th pic the best 🙂
Vimitha Anand
They look super yummy and tasty… Would love it with rotis.. Lovely pics…
Radhika
I too tried his version and it came out so well Sharmi. Yet to post it though. I'm really slow in posting. clicks are so good dear.
jeyashrisuresh
I have tasted this once in a restaurent here and wanted to try this for a long time, but somehow when i tried twice we all ended up eating the tikkas and nothing was left to make masala. Great clicks and super yummy one
Priti
Looks yum and so tempting ..love the pics ..I love vahrevah version too
saffronstreaks
This recipe of paneer tikka is really worth try, I always do it in oven, but never on stove top.
clicks are good
Priya
Anything with paneer are always most welcome here, tikka masala looks extremely irresistible,fantastic clicks..
Prathima Rao
Thats a drool worthy gravy sharmi!!! Trying this version out real soon!!!
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner
divya
Mouthwatering recipe ….
Kairali sisters
Sharmi, paneer tikka masala looks absolutely delicious, loved the texture of the curry 🙂
Suja Sugathan
Perfect and tempting,wonderful starter
Jyoti
Simply awesome.. I am huge fan of Paneer dishes.. This one goes to my bookmarked folder:)
Soumya Vineeth
I wish I could run away with those skewers! lovely, nice clicks!
Leena
WOW looks like a awesome platter..
Pavithra
I love paneer tikka masala a lot and lot…nothing i can say except pls pass me that here …Pictures are super !!!
Bharathy
I am loving the soup, parathas, egg curry, the cooler, and now this classic panneer dish in the home page!
PS-When are you going to invite me for dinner with these lovely treats 😉 ??..DO it soon pls..i cant just wait 😉
Sarah Naveen
Superb..nice clicks n they looks so yumm!!!
JishasKItchen
wow..looks so perfect and yummy…and an awesome presentation….feel like having it right now..
Yummy Team
Tempting pics, Sharmi..Delicious paneer tikka masala, love it with rotis!
Swathi
Delicious paneer tikka masala Love the clicks.
Nags
that looks delicious sharmi
Cham
The click makes me drool, the dish looks awesome!
Pushpa
Delicious paneer tikkas and curry.
Torviewtoronto
delicious colourful combination
Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal
Both your paneer tikka and its masala look amazing and mouth watering 🙂
Paaka Shaale
Oh wow sharmilee. This looks gorgeous!!! Would love to try this. Bookmarked the recipe 🙂
Vandana Rajesh
The paneer tikka masala looks great…would surely try this next time I get paneer…loved the colour and texture of the dish.
Smita
PTM looks great… true taste for paneer lover like me..
Prerna
Oh what a co incidence! I recently made Chicken tikka masala for my blog (I know u saw the post!) and my vegetarian friends were giving me a hard time for not thinking of them. Now I can just send your post to them and throw the ball in their court 🙂
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
CuisineHOUzz
Lovely,colorful recipes.I have tried this tikka by altering with tofu(soya paneer) by using your vege.ingredients.Thank you
Eva
I absolutely love paneer tikki masala, I always order it at restaurants but have never tried to make it myself. Now that I've found this lovely recipe I will have to give it a try 🙂
Jessica
I have a hunk of paneer in my fridge just begging to be used in this recipe! Yum!!
foodie @ tastingspot
it looks really delicious… very nice use of paneer
Sook @ My Fabulous Recipes
Mmmm I am a huge fan of tikka masala! Looks so good!
Anonymous
well,evry1 is tempted by pics,but is it really tastey.thts wht im gonna find out right now : )
by the way,i am an arab trying to learn indian food,coz i die for it.yuuuuuuummy
Priya
I just happpened to watch the video of Varevah chef for Paneer tikka masala.I think, in the end he has mentioned adding cream and cooking it for sme more time. Anyways, I am going to try it today.Thanks for posting the recipe with correct quantities!
akshada
Lovely recipe!! i tried it tonight and everyone loved it…thanks a lot…keep posting more 🙂
Turmeric n Spice
Absolutely love this… Love the texture of the curry . Five star rated curry for sure
Dipti ramanak
hello sharmi,love ur clicks they r jus amazing…saw vah chef's version too..but his tikka masala's color is different n urs is diff..have u added any color in the curry???coz i loved urs more..
Sharmilee! :)
@Dipti : No I havent used any food color…it depends on the variety of spice powders we add…
Dipti ramanak
thanku sharmilee…tried ur recipe on my sons bday party evryone liked it…thanks a ton again for sharing such a wonderfull recipe..
Devangi Kanchan
Thank you for this lovely recipe. I am going to try this tonight but i am missing out with tandoori masala. Can i skip this??? Does it give smoky flavour or why do we put this masala? Sleepers reply asap 🙂
Devangi Kanchan
Also let me know the exact quantity of paneer to be used in this recipe. Thanks 🙂
Sharmilee! :)
Not sure of the cup measures it is 15 bite sized paneer cubes as seen in the pics.
Devangi Kanchan
And tandoori masala… Can i skip this as i am not having this. What flavour does it give. Like is it used for smoky flavour. Please reply asap 😉
Sharmilee! :)
Yes it does give a flavour to the tikka…though not smoky, so I recommend using it.
Manvi K
thanks…for d recipe..mam..i tried it jus now..widout d ingredients tandoori masala and kasuri methi..still..it ended up nice
Pavithra
Hi Sharmi – Any substitute for tandoori masala ?
SHARMILEE J
I dont know if substitutes will work..its better yo can skip that incase if you dont have tandoori masala powder
Sudeep Kotal
i m a 15 yr old…made this for my school funfair puttin this stuff in hotdog bun…. and just won the prize … yupyyy…. thnxxx admin …(sharmi)
JazzE
Can I use tandoori chicken masala as an alternate to tandoori masala?
SHARMILEE J
Yes try and see….
Sheela Balamurugan
Please revise the "Marinate" column for making Paneer Tikka Masala since you've mentioned cubed onion, tomato & capsicum but not found in gravy. Please check and clear my doubt.
SHARMILEE J
I have updated it now, please check it 🙂
Nalini Kamuni
really all the recipes whichever i tried till went gud…the website postings r as pretty nd simple as u….i jst luv u and ur recipes,,thnk you,,,plz post some more kids recipes,,,becoz ur ideas help us alot….
Archana Karanth
Hi, Pics are looking delicious… But i would like to know how do u remove the tangy taste from tomato puree as whenever i prepare my recipe becomes tangy.
Thank you.
SHARMILEE J
It depends on the tomatoes I guess……try different varieties and then settle with the one you prefer….You can try increasing the spicelevel if its tangy
kritika sood
Oh my god it turned out so delicious….everyone loved it…thank u so much for the wonderful recepie…..<3
Rajasekar V
Nice Post !
sri
wow so yummy recipe…cant wait trying it…which brand of paneer tikka masala did u use?? reply soon
SHARMILEE J
I don't really remember guess it was Everest / MTR
Adesara Sweta
I tried this recipe today its huge hit at my homeee…I don't have tandoori msala so I replaced it with kitchen king msala it tasted superb….:) I love ur blog n recipess… thank u
Adesara Sweta
ma'am in every recipe u discard seed part of tomatoes? I saw in one of ur gravy recipes tht u usually discard seed part of tomatoes..
SHARMILEE J
My mother says consuming with seeds regularly can lead to kidney stones but really sure whether it is true
Suresh
Tried this today and it came out perfect restaurant style, skipped the heavy cream and used just milk and added some whole cinnamon and bay leaves apart from your ingredients, thanks again!
sankarsocialbeat
really nice my mother tried it today with some great spices
Shruthi
Hi Sharmi,
I tried this and it came out really well.
Thanks for the post.