High Protein Paneer Salad (Indian Style)

This Indian-style Paneer Salad with a spicy Greek yogurt dressing is a protein-packed, delicious vegetarian salad that comes together in just 20 minutes. Quick, easy, and perfect for a light, satisfying meal!

Paneer salad with a spicy Greek yogurt dressing is simple to make, flavorful, and a great high-protein option for vegetarians. In this recipe, I have pan-fried the paneer, but you can also use an air fryer. The secret to a delicious paneer salad is in the dressing.

If you have some leftover tandoori paneer tikka, you can use it in this salad to make paneer tikka salad. Other high-protein Indian paneer recipes you might enjoy include paneer butter masala, paneer bhurji, and palak paneer.

How to Make Indian Style Paneer Salad

In a blender, add ½ cup Greek yogurt (hung curd), 6-8 soaked cashews, 1 garlic clove minced, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, ½ teaspoon oregano (or Italian herbs), ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, salt to taste, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Blend to a smooth puree.

Note: Skip cashews if you are looking for a nut-free option.

In a pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil. Once it's hot, add 1 cup of paneer cubes, ½ teaspoon of red chili flakes, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Sauté about 3-4 minutes or until they are golden and crispy. Keep them aside. You can also air fry paneer.

In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup of chopped romaine lettuce, ½ cup diced onions, ½ cup diced cucumber, ½ cup diced tomatoes, ½ cup diced colored bell peppers, and pan-fried paneer.

Next, add the spicy Greek yogurt dressing and 2 tablespoons of coriander leaves.

Toss well to combine. Adjust the seasoning at this stage if needed. You can enjoy the salad right away or refrigerate it for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

Tips & Variations

• More Veggies: You can add hearty veggies of your choice, like avocado, sweet corn, or boiled sweet potatoes.
• No Paneer: If you don't like paneer, replace it with extra-firm tofu.
• No Greek Yogurt: If you don't have Greek yogurt at home, take regular homemade yogurt, pour it into a muslin cloth, and drain the whey for 30 minutes above the kitchen sink. Here is the detailed recipe on how to make hung curd at home. I do not recommend using regular curd.
• Protein: You can add any beans, like boiled chickpeas, or boiled kidney beans, to this salad.
• Nuts & Seeds: You can add roasted nuts like air fryer roasted peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and seeds such as flax or hemp seeds for added crunch and nutrition.

More Indian Salad Recipes

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