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Home » Recipes » Curry

Instant Pot Matar Paneer

Published: Dec 11, 2019 · Modified: Jun 22, 2022 by Bhavana Patil ·This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Matar Paneer recipe is also known as Matar Paneer Masala is an easy & classic Restaurant Style vegetarian curry made of Indian cottage cheese and green peas cooked in a tomato-onion-based sauce in an Instant pot pressure cooker or Stovetop.

matar paneer served in a bowl with paratha and lemon wedge on the side along with instant pot

What is Matar Paneer?

Matar means Green Peas and Paneer is the Cottage cheese in Hindi. Matar Paneer is a North Indian dish loaded with fresh paneer and peas in onion tomato base gravy and Indian spices.

I have used store brought paneer for this recipe but homemade paneer tastes best. But if you don't want to make paneer at home, then you can find paneer (cottage cheese) at your local grocery stores like Costco, or from Indian grocery stores.

When I have excess paneer at home, I simply cube and freeze them in freezer-safe containers. Whenever I want to use frozen paneer, I just thaw them at room temperature and put them in hot water till they turn soft.

Frozen green peas are available throughout the year, During the winter season, I love to use fresh green peas in this recipe. More green peas recipes from my blog Potato peas curry, Mushroom peas curry, Cabbage peas, Peas pulao.

I have prepared this easy Matar Paneer Curry in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT and above all, it can be prepared under 30 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner.

matar paneer served in a bowl with paratha onions and lemon wedge on the side

Matar Paneer Masala Ingredients

Paneer: cubed into 1-inch pieces of about 1.5 cups.

Green peas: I have used frozen green peas.

Onion, garlic, and ginger: I have used roughly diced onions, along with garlic and ginger for the base.

Tomato: I used half a can of tomato puree (sauce) for about 1 cup. You can take two large tomatoes and puree them.

Cream: I have used heavy cream. You can also use cashew nuts or coconut cream.

Oil: use olive oil suitable for sautéing.

Lemon juice: use fresh lemon juice whenever possible

Herbs & spices: I have used fresh-cut cilantro and turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala as spices.

How to Make Matar Paneer in Instant Pot

If you are using a store-bought paneer, soak them in warm water for 15-20 minutes before you start making this recipe. It will make the paneer soft.

Grind onion, ginger, garlic to a smooth paste without adding water and keep aside.

step to make onion paste using blender collage

Also, blend the tomatoes separately and keep them aside. Note I used ½ can of tomato puree (sauce) and about 1 cup for this recipe.

Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil to the POT. Once POT is hot add bay leaves, cardamom, and cumin, and let them sizzle.

Next, add ground onion paste. Saute for 4 mins until the onion paste turns light brown.

step to saute cumin seeds and onion paste collage

Add the tomatoes puree, dry spices like turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt to the instant pot and cook for another 2-3 mins.

step to cook tomato paste with spices collage

Add the cubed paneer, frozen green peas, and water to the instant pot. Deglaze the pot if anything is stuck to the bottom.

step to add paneer green peas and pressure cook collage

Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes.

Once the pot beeps, Do a QUICK RELEASE(QR).

Then add garam masala powder, heavy or cashew cream, crushed dried fenugreek leaves, and mix well.

mutter paneer in instant pot insert garnished with cream and cilantro

Lastly, garnish with cilantro. Instant Pot Matar Paneer Masala is ready to serve.

mutter paneer in a spoon

Stovetop Pot Method

  1. Grind onion, ginger, garlic to a smooth paste without adding water and keep aside.
  2. Also, blend the tomatoes separately and keep them aside. Note: I used ½ can of tomato puree (sauce) about 1 cup for this recipe.
  3. Heat oil in a pot. Once the oil is hot add bay leaves, cardamom, and cumin seeds. Let them sizzle.
  4. Next, add ground onion paste. Saute for 3-4 mins until the onion paste turns light brown.
  5. Add the tomatoes puree, dry spices like turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt to the pot, and cook for another 2-3 mins.
  6. Add the cubed paneer, frozen green peas, and water to the pot.
  7. Close the lid and let it simmer for 6 to 7 minutes on medium heat. Then turn off the stove.
  8. Then add garam masala powder, cashew cream, crushed Kasuri methi, and mix well. Lastly, garnish with cilantro. Mutter paneer is ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Matar Paneer Masala with naan, roti, chapati, poori, jeera rice, veg pulao, or basmati rice.

Tips & Variations

A simple green peas paneer curry can be made in many ways, such as:

  • KETO: You can replace peas with bell pepper or just use paneer for the keto diet. You can also use almond paste or coconut cream or heavy cream instead of cashew cream. Also, use a moderate amount of onions and tomatoes for keto-adaptation.
  • You can also add paneer after the pressure cooking cycle and simmer the curry for 1 minute if you prefer. 
  • If you are using a store-bought paneer, soak them in warm water for 15-20 minutes before you start making this recipe. It will make the paneer soft.
  • You can also deep fry the paneer and add it to the curry.
  • If you want to make Restaurant Style Matar Paneer recipe, add extra heavy cream at the end.
  • You can also add some yogurt for a different taste variation.

Recipe FAQs

How to make Vegan Matar Paneer

To make a vegan Matar Paneer recipe replace Paneer with extra-firm tofu. Replace dairy cream with cashew cream or coconut cream.

Can I freeze this Matar Paneer Curry?

Yes, you can also freeze this Matar Paneer recipe in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. But I highly recommend serving this curry fresh as the texture of the paneer changes after freezing.
You can refrigerate this curry for 2-3 days in an airtight container and reheat it when you are ready to eat it.

If you liked this recipe, Checkout more Instant Pot Indian Curries recipes below

  • Black Eyed Pea Curry
  • Lauki Ki Subji
  • Vegetable Korma
  • Chickpea Curry
  • Mushroom Masala

More delicious Paneer Recipes

  • Paneer Butter Masala
  • Paneer Jalfrezi
  • Palak Paneer
  • Paneer Biryani
  • Paneer Matar Makhana Curry
  • Palak Paneer Paratha
  • Paneer Fingers
Tried this recipe?Don’t forget to give a ★ rating below
matar paneer served in a white bowl with lemon wedges and onion on the side

Instant Pot Matar Paneer (Cottage Cheese and Peas Curry)

Bhavana Patil
Matar Paneer or Mutter paneer masala recipe is a classic restaurant style vegetarian curry of Indian cottage cheese and peas cooked in a tomato-onion based sauce in an Instant Pot Pressure cooker.
4.67 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories : 323
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: North Indian
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 10 minutes
Total Time : 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml

  • 1.5 cups paneer (cottage cheese) cubed
  • 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cardamom
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 medium onion (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 2 large tomatoes or ½ can of tomato sauce (about 1 cup)
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
  • salt to taste
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoon fresh cream or coconut cream or cashew cream
  • 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro to garnish

Instructions
 

  • If you are using a store-bought paneer, soak them in warm water for 15-20 minutes before you start making this recipe. It will make the paneer soft.

Instant Pot Method:

  • Grind onion, ginger, garlic to a smooth paste without adding water and keep aside.
    step to make onion paste using blender collage
  • Also, blend the tomatoes separately and keep them aside. 
    Note I used ½ can of tomato puree (sauce) about 1 cup for this recipe.
  • Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil to the POT. Once POT is hot add bay leaves, cardamom, and cumin, let them sizzle.
  • Next, add ground onion paste. Saute for 4 mins until the onion paste turns light brown.
    step to saute cumin seeds and onion paste collage
  • Add the tomatoes puree, dry spices like turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt to the instant pot and cook for another 2-3 mins.
    step to cook tomato paste with spices collage
  • Add the cubed paneer, frozen green peas, and water to the instant pot. Deglaze the pot if anything is stuck to the bottom.
    step to add paneer green peas and pressure cook collage
  • Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
    Once the pot beeps, Do a QUICK RELEASE(QR).
  • Then add garam masala powder, heavy or cashew cream, crushed dried fenugreek leaves, and mix well.
    mutter paneer in instant pot insert garnished with cream and cilantro
  • Garnish with cilantro. Mutter paneer is ready to serve.
    matar paneer served in a white bowl with lemon wedges and onion on the side

Stovetop Pot Method:

  • Grind onion, ginger, garlic to a smooth paste without adding water and keep aside.
  • Also, blend the tomatoes separately and keep them aside. Note: I used ½ can of tomato puree (sauce) about 1 cup for this recipe.
  • Heat oil in a pot. Once the oil is hot add bay leaves, cardamom, and cumin seeds. Let them sizzle.
  • Next, add ground onion paste. Saute for 3-4 mins until the onion paste turns light brown.
  • Add the tomatoes puree, dry spices like turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt to the pot, and cook for another 2-3 mins.
  • Add the cubed paneer, frozen green peas, and water to the pot.
  • Close the lid and let it simmer for 6 to 7 minutes on medium heat. Then turn off the stove.
  • Then add garam masala powder, cashew cream, crushed Kasuri methi, and mix well. Lastly, garnish with cilantro. Mutter paneer is ready to serve.

Video

Notes

Tips & Variations :

  1. KETO: You can replace peas with bell pepper or just use paneer for the keto diet. You can also use almond paste or coconut cream or heavy cream instead of cashew cream. Also, use a moderate amount of onions and tomatoes for keto-adaptation.
  2. You can also add paneer after the pressure cooking cycle and simmer the curry for 1 minute if you prefer. 
  3. If you are using store-bought paneer, soak them in warm water for 15-20 minutes before you start making this recipe. It will make the paneer soft.
  4. You can also deep fry the paneer and add it to the curry.
  5. If you want to make Restaurant Style Matar Paneer recipe then add extra heavy cream in the end.
  6. You can also add some yogurt for a different taste variation.
 
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 11gFat: 10.1gSaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 1211mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 28.1mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 1.1mg
Keyword matar paneer instant pot, mutter paneer masala, restaurant style
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Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for healthy & tasty video recipes. Looking for Instant Pot recipes, then check out my Instant Pot Recipes board on Pinterest.

Other recipe collections to try from my Blog

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10+ Easy & best Veg Sandwich Recipes Indian Style

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18+ Instant Pot Vegetarian Soup Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Z says

    December 30, 2020 at 3:00 pm

    “2 cardamom”
    Please specify!

    Reply
    • bhavana says

      December 30, 2020 at 3:51 pm

      Yes Zoe ,2 Whole pods of green cardamom,you can skip it if you dont have.

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        December 30, 2020 at 5:20 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply
  2. Z says

    December 30, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    5 stars
    Wonderful! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Giridhar Sharma says

    June 19, 2022 at 6:41 pm

    5 stars
    This is awesome recipe. Came out really good with instant pot.

    Reply
    • Bhavana Patil says

      June 21, 2022 at 4:40 am

      Thank you, Giri for trying the recipe and sharing your feedback...

      Reply

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