Easy Instant Pot Palak Paneer Saag Paneer Recipe

This Instant Pot Palak Paneer Recipe is super delicious and easy to make. And the best part is that you can make it on a busy week day too. Although it is popularly known as SAAG PANEER in USA.

Easy Instant Pot Palak Paneer Saag Paneer Recipe

PALAK PANEER or SAAG PANEER is the most loved curry in America. And most of the Indian Restaurants offer this dish on their menu. 

Now you have to believe me that this is one of the easiest curries to make. And Instant Pot makes it completely effortless and easy to make.

To tell you the truth, this dish is on a bi-monthly menu in our home. And I am wondering that since I make it often, why haven’t I published it yet.

It is such a simple recipe that I make it even on a very busy day. It is healthy, nutritious and so good. I serve it with roti or naan. 

What is Palak Paneer?

Palak Paneer = Spinach & Cottage Cheese.

Also known as Saag Paneer, it is made with Spinach as a main ingredient. And other ingredients like Onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic & green chilies add body and flavors to the curry. As this is a fairly simple recipe, it uses some simple & basic spices like – turmeric, red chili powder/paprika, garam masala, cumin seeds and salt.

Since spinach curry can be runny, I add a bit of corn starch slurry to bind the base. Also, you may notice the restaurants adding heavy cream to the dish for serving. It adds the richness to the curry. Although it is completely optional.

Ingredients of Palak Paneer Saag Paneer

Fresh Ingredients – Spinach, Onion, Tomato, Ginger, Garlic, Green Chilies

Spices & Oil – Cooking Oil or Ghee, Cumin Seeds, Turmeric powder, Red Chili powder/Paprika, Salt, Garam Masala

Other Ingredients – Butter, Corn Starch, Heavy Cream

PANEER (cottage cheese) – or you can use Extra Firm Tofu also

Kitchen Gadgets for the Recipe

Kitchen Colander

Instant Pot 6 quart

Inner Pot

Chopping board and knife

Measuring cups and spoons

Hand held immersion blender

 

What is Paneer?

Paneer is Fresh Indian Cottage Cheese. It is a firmer form of Ricotta. Households in India make it often at home. If you want to make it at home, then check this recipe here.

Although it can be easily made at home, but you can buy it from your local Indian Grocery Store. Many times Costco also carries it along side other cheese.

What kind of Spinach should I use for this recipe?

Although you can use any kind of spinach for this recipe, but I like to use baby spinach. The baby spinach has milder and more buttery taste. But go ahead and use whatever you have handy.

Can I use frozen spinach for this recipe?

Yes you can. I make it with frozen spinach all the time. The instructions and time will remain the same.

Is it ok to make it in advance?

Yes, you can prepare it in advance. You can make it few hours before eating and even a day before eating.

How long does it stay good in refrigerator?

It can stay good for up to 1 week to 10 days in the refrigerator. You store it in air tight container in refrigerator.

Can I freeze it?

Yes you can freeze it for upto 6 months in freezer friendly container.

What is the difference between Saag Paneer and Palak Paneer?

Saag actually means curry made with any seasonal green. Saag traditionally uses a combination of mustard leaves, fenugreek leaves and spinach. I make saag with baby kale as well in USA. 

Check out my very popular SAAG ALOO recipe. You can use this recipe to make Saag Paneer too. Just add Paneer after the saag is cooked.

Here in USA, Palak Paneer is often referred as Saag Paneer because of its green color. Whereas in India, Palak Paneer is made strictly with Spinach only.

How to make Palak Paneer in Instant Pot?

It is a stupendously easy recipe. It is a quick 4 step recipe –

Saute the Ingredients 

Place Inner Pot inside Instant Pot 6 quart. Press saute and set on high. Once the screen displays HOT, add Cooking Oil and after a few seconds add Cumin Seeds. Wait for few seconds and then add roughly chopped onion, ginger & garlic. Further saute for 2 minutes. Now add roughly chopped tomatoes & green chilies. Also add Turmeric powder, Red Chili powder or Paprika & Salt. Saute for 1 more minute. Add spinach leaves + 2 tbsp water. Give a good stir. Now cancel the SAUTE MODE.

Pressure Cook on High

Close the Instant pot with its lid and set the valve on SEALING. Press Pressure Cook Mode and set on high for 8 minutes. Once the timer goes off, follow NPR (natural pressure release). As the pin drops, open the lid carefully. 

Blend into Smooth Puree

Take a Hand held immersion blender and blend the ingredients to a smooth puree. You can blend it in high speed blender too.

Add Paneer & Cook on Saute 

Add Paneer cubes and Garam Masala to it. And cook it further on saute mode for about 5 minutes. Your Palak Paneer is ready.

Now these steps are optional but add beautiful texture and creamy taste to the curry. 

1. After adding paneer & garam masala, add the slurry of 1&1/2 tbsp corn starch and 3 tbsp water to the curry. Mix it well. Cook it for 5 minutes. This step binds the spinach curry and stabilizes it.
2. You can add 1 tbsp butter and 3 tbsp heavy cream to the curry after cooking, for richer texture and flavor.

Stove Top Palak Paneer

Take a heavy bottom deep sauce pan/pot and heat oil in it. Once the oil is hot, cumin seeds and let crackle for few seconds. Now add roughly chopped onions, garlic and ginger and saute for 2 minutes. Further add roughly chopped tomatoes & green chilies. Also add Turmeric powder, Red Chili powder or Paprika & Salt. Saute for 1 more minute. Add spinach leaves + 2 tbsp water. Give a good stir.  Cover the pan with the lid and cook on medium heat for about 10-15 minutes till spinach leaves wilt completely.

Switch off the heat. Take an immersion blender and blend it to a smooth puree. Add paneer cubes and garam masala. Stir it well. Add more water if needed. If it is too watery, then add the corn starch slurry to thicken it. Cook further on medium heat for 5-7 minutes. 

Add butter and cream after the curry is cooked. Mix it well. Adjust salt as needed. Serve it hot with roti or naan.

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How to make Palak Paneer or Saag Paneer in Instant Pot?

I am sure you are going to make this recipe soon. Please leave your feedback in the comments section.

Sonal 

 

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