Instant Pot Matar Paneer

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.

What is Matar Paneer?

Matar means Green Peas and Paneer is the Cottage cheese in Hindi. Matar Paneer is a North Indian style curry 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.

More delicious Paneer recipes

• Paneer Butter Masala
• Palak Paneer
• Paneer Biryani
• Paneer Matar Makhana Curry
• Palak Paneer Paratha
• Paneer Fingers

Check my 15+ Paneer recipe collections from my blog.

Matar Paneer Masala Ingredients

• Paneer: cubed into 1-inch pieces 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 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 store-bought paneer, soak them in warm water for 15-20 minutes before you start making this recipe. It will make paneer soft.

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.

Press SAUTE 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.

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.

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

Close the lid on the pot, and turn pressure valve to SEALING position.

Furthermore, Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set the timer to 2 minutes. Do a QUICK RELEASE(QR).

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

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

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

Matar Paneer Masala can be served with naan, roti, chapati, poori, jeera rice, veg pulao, or steamed 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 a paneer after the pressure cooking cycle and simmer the curry for 1 minute if you prefer. 
• 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 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 then add extra heavy cream in the end.
• You can also add some yogurt for a different taste variation.

FAQs

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

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

Other recipe collections to try from my Blog

60+ Kids Healthy Lunch Box Recipes

25+ Instant Pot Indian Rice Recipes

10+ Easy & best Veg Sandwich Recipes Indian Style

40+ Keto Indian Food Recipes

18+ Instant Pot Vegetarian Soup Recipes