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Palak Paneer Instant Pot (Authentic Punjabi-Style) Recipe

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4.2 from 22 reviews

A traditional Punjabi-style Palak Paneer recipe made authentically in the Instant Pot, featuring fresh spinach simmered with a blend of aromatic spices and sautéed paneer cubes. This version maintains the vibrant texture and flavor of unblanched spinach, enriched with creamy sour cream and fenugreek, delivering a rich and satisfying vegetarian Indian classic.

Ingredients

For Sautéed Paneer

  • 200 grams paneer, cubed & soaked in hot water
  • 1/2 tbsp oil

For Palak Paneer

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1-2 green chilies, sliced
  • 1 cup red onions, finely chopped
  • 1 inch piece ginger, chopped
  • 5-6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 2 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/4 tsp red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1 tbsp water (to prevent spices from burning)
  • 2 tbsp water (to deglaze tomatoes after cooking)
  • 1 pound fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
  • salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, more if desired
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tbsp dry fenugreek leaves

Instructions

  1. Prepare Masala: Press SAUTE mode on the Instant Pot and heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add cumin seeds and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sliced green chilies and sauté another 30 seconds. Add finely chopped onions, season with a little salt, and cook for 5-6 minutes until onions turn lightly brown. Next, add chopped ginger and garlic, sauté for 30 seconds. Then add chopped tomatoes with a pinch of salt and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add Ground Spices: Stir in turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and Kashmiri chili powder. Sauté the spices for 30 seconds, then add 1 tablespoon of water to prevent burning and stir well. Cover the Instant Pot with its lid and allow the tomatoes to cook down for 3-4 minutes. After this, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to deglaze and remove any residue from the bottom. Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot.
  3. Add Spinach and Pressure Cook: Add roughly chopped fresh spinach to the pot and season with salt. Gently stir but do not blend the mixture yet. Seal the Instant Pot and select HIGH PRESSURE for 2 minutes. Once cooking finishes, allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. This pressure cooking phase will take approximately 20 minutes total including release time.
  4. Saute Paneer: While the spinach cooks, heat a nonstick ceramic pan over medium heat and add 1/2 tablespoon oil. Once hot, add the drained cubed paneer soaked earlier. Sauté for about 5 minutes until golden but not overcooked to prevent toughness. Remove from heat and transfer paneer to a bowl.
  5. Blend Spinach Mixture: Open the Instant Pot and stir to combine the cooked spinach and masala base. Using an immersion blender, pulse blend the mixture lightly to retain some texture and avoid over-pureeing.
  6. Add Cream and Finish: Press SAUTE mode again and stir in sour cream, garam masala, and dry fenugreek leaves. Mix well so the spinach lightens and becomes creamy. Add the sautéed paneer cubes, stir gently, and let cook for 1-2 minutes more. Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot. Your rich and authentic Palak Paneer is now ready to be served.

Notes

  • Use fresh spinach leaves for the best flavor and texture, followed by baby spinach; frozen spinach is least preferred.
  • If desired, raw paneer cubes can be used instead of sautéed paneer for a softer texture.
  • Instead of sour cream, alternatives include 2-4 tablespoons of heavy cream, 1/4 to 1/3 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup blended cashews with water, or 1/4 cup whole milk yogurt. Temper milk or yogurt with a small amount of hot spinach gravy first to avoid curdling.
  • To prevent the Instant Pot from burning, add 2 tablespoons water when cooking down tomatoes to deglaze the pot.
  • For a vegan version, substitute firm tofu for paneer. Press tofu to remove excess liquid and sauté similarly.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/palak-paneer-instant-pot-authentic-punjabi-style-recipe/