Paneer Jalfrezi is an easy and healthy restaurant-style vegetable stir fry recipe made with cottage cheese, vegetables like bell peppers, and a few Indian spices. You can make this Spiced cottage cheese stir fry in just 15 minutes. Keto, Low carb, and Gluten-free.
This is a semi-dry curry recipe made with a mix of vegetables and paneer. Ensure to cut all vegetables and paneer lengthwise of the same size to make Veg Jalfrezi similar to what is served in Indian restaurants.
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What is Paneer Jalfrezi?
Paneer Jalfrezi is a popular Indian dish where paneer, and vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, are stir-fried in a pan and seasoned with a blend of spices and herbs.
The word 'jalfrezi' comes from the Bengali language 'jhal' means hot or spicy, and 'frezi' means suitable for a diet.
Paneer Jalfrezi can be found on the menu of many Indian restaurants across the world. It is typically served with naan, roti, or rice and is a great option for vegetarians.
Paneer Jalfrezi Ingredients
- Paneer: Homemade fresh paneer always tastes best. However, you can easily find paneer at nearby Indian grocery stores in the freezer or fridge section. Also, the paneer should be cut lengthwise.
- Vegetables: I used three colored bell peppers cut length-wise. You can also use other vegetables like carrots, beans, and mushrooms.
- Onion: Dice the onion lengthwise.
- Ginger and garlic: Mince them finely.
- Tomato: I have also diced the tomato lengthwise.
- Tomato puree: Used ½ cup of tomato puree prepared from 1 large tomato. Alternatively, You can also use canned tomato sauce.
- Spices: Used a mixture of turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala.
- Oil (or ghee): I use olive oil for cooking.
- Lime juice: Squeeze the juice of half a lime/lemon into the stir-fry for added flavor.
- Cilantro (coriander leaves): for garnish.
How to Make Paneer Jalfrezi
In a Pan, heat oil. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
Then add sliced onions, minced ginger, garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes on medium heat until light brown.
Next, add the spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt, a splash of water, and saute the masala on medium-high heat for another minute.
Note: Make sure to add the water else, spices will burn.
Add the bell peppers and continue sautéing them for another 2-3 minutes till they are tender and cooked.
Add sliced tomato and tomato puree and saute for a minute until the tomatoes soften.
Finally, add the paneer, garam masala, and toss well to coat with all the spices. Cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
You can also add Kasuri methi at this stage.
Lastly, squeeze from fresh lime juice and sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander leaves. Then, the restaurant Style Paneer Jalfrezi curry recipe is ready to serve with naan or rice.
What to serve with this Paneer Jalfrezi Recipe?
Serve Paneer Tikka Jalfrezi with naan, roti, chapati, poori, jeera rice, veg pulao.
If you are on Keto Diet, serve it with keto naan, low-carb tortillas, or cauliflower rice.
You can also use paneer jalfrezi as a filling in the wraps or rolls.
Storage Suggestions
- Refrigerate: Store the leftover paneer jalfrezi sabzi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- Freeze: You can store the jalfrezi in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to three months in the freezer. But I highly recommend serving this curry fresh as the texture of the paneer changes after freezing.
- Reheat: Reheat the paneer jalfrezi on the stovetop on low heat or in the microwave oven until heated through. If frozen, Defrost for a few hours on the kitchen top before reheating.
Tips to make the Best Paneer Jalfrezi
- Good quality paneer: Homemade Paneer works the best. If you have store-bought paneer, soak it in hot water for 15 minutes to keep them soft.
- Dont overcook: Do not overcook the veggies else, they will turn mushy.
- Restaurant-style: Adding Kasuri methi at the end gives a restaurant-style taste to this paneer dish.
- Leftover Paneer Jalfrezi: If you have leftover paneer jalfrezi, you can use it as a filling for making Paneer Frankie Roll.
Variations
- Add different vegetables: You can add broccoli, carrots, baby corn, mushrooms, or any other vegetable of your choice.
- Make it creamy: You can add heavy cream, coconut cream, or cashew paste at the end to add creaminess and richness to the dish.
- Make it saucy: I have shared the dry version of the paneer jalfrezi recipe. For a saucier version, add more tomato puree or tomatoes.
- Vegan: Substitute paneer with extra-firm tofu or vegetables like potatoes for a vegan version.
Recipe FAQs
This Paneer stir fry with bell peppers is a keto/low-carb recipe. You can also add cauliflower or mushrooms to this recipe. Check out my Keto Indian Food Recipes collection for more recipes.
To make vegan jalfrezi replace Paneer with tofu. Or skip paneer and make it as vegetable jalfrezi by adding extra veggies like baby corn, mushroom, green beans, and cauliflower.
More Paneer Recipes
More Stir Fry Recipes
- Zucchini Sabzi
- Brussels Sprouts Stir Fry
- Lauki Ki Sabzi
- Beetroot & Chickpeas Stir Fry
- Broccoli Paneer Bhurji
- Tofu Bhurji
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Paneer Jalfrezi Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
- 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
- 1 medium onion sliced lengthwise
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ red bell pepper sliced lengthwise
- ½ green bell pepper sliced lengthwise
- ½ yellow bell pepper sliced lengthwise
- 1 medium tomato, de-seeded sliced lengthwise
- ½ cup tomato puree ( 1 large tomato)
- 200 grams paneer cut lengthwise (7 oz)
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried methi leaves) optional
- juice of half lime
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoon cilantro (coriander leaves)
Instructions
- Cut the veggies and paneer length wise and keep aside.
- In a Pan, heat oil. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
- Then add sliced onions, minced ginger, garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes on medium heat until light brown.
- Next, add the spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt, a splash of water, and saute the masala on medium-high heat for another minute.Note: Make sure to add the water else spices will burn.
- Add the bell peppers and continue sautéing them for another 2-3 minutes till they are tender and cooked.
- Add sliced tomato and tomato puree and saute for a minute until the tomatoes soften.
- Finally, add the paneer, garam masala, toss well to coat with all the spices. Cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes. You can also add Kasuri methi at this stage.
- Lastly, squeeze from fresh lime juice and sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander leaves. Then, the restaurant Style Paneer Jalfrezi curry recipe is ready to serve with naan or rice.
Video
Notes
Tips to make the Best Paneer Jalfrezi
- Good quality paneer: Homemade Paneer works the best. If you have store-bought paneer, soak it in hot water for 15 minutes to keep them soft.
- Dont overcook: Do not overcook the veggies else, they will turn mushy.
- Restaurant-style: Adding Kasuri methi at the end gives a restaurant-style taste to this paneer dish.
- Leftover Paneer Jalfrezi: If you have leftover paneer jalfrezi, you can use it as a filling for making Paneer Frankie Roll.
Variations
- Add different vegetables: You can add broccoli, carrots, baby corn, mushrooms, or any other vegetable of your choice.
- Make it creamy: You can add heavy cream, coconut cream, or cashew paste at the end to add creaminess and richness to the dish.
- Make it saucy: I have shared the dry version of the paneer jalfrezi recipe. For a saucier version, add more tomato puree or tomatoes.
- Vegan: Substitute paneer with extra-firm tofu or vegetables like potatoes for a vegan version.
Nutrition
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Margaret says
Just like my local Indian restaurant !
Bhavana Patil says
Thanks for sharing your feedback...Glad it turned out well 🙂
Linda says
Made this for dinner tonight. It was delicious! This is my third recipe I have made from your blog. All of them get many compliments! All are absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing!