Paneer bhurji is a popular Indian dish made with crumbled paneer (Indian cottage cheese) that is cooked with a mixture of Indian spices and vegetables. This quick and easy Paneer Bhurji is perfect for special occasions. It can also be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The term “bhurji” in Hindi means “scrambled,” and that’s exactly what this dish is – scrambled paneer cooked with various ingredients.
Indian Cuisine boasts a variety of flavourful and rich recipes. Many of the popular North Indian dishes are now available across various countries and continents. Especially, recipes like Paneer Butter Masala and Palak Paneer are crowd favourite recipes. In that list, this delicious Paneer Bhurji recipe also has a place.
This simple recipe is made by sautéing the onions, tomatoes, and other ingredients in a pan and adding the grated paneer and spices. It’s then cooked until the paneer absorbs the flavours of the spices and blends well with the other ingredients. The final result is a flavorful, slightly spicy, and protein-rich side dish that’s often served with roti, paratha, or bread.
Paneer ki bhurji can be customized to suit your taste. While the main ingredient is paneer, some people add green peas, capsicum, or even scrambled eggs to make variations of this dish. It’s a versatile recipe that can be adjusted to your preferences for spiciness and flavour.
Why I Love Paneer Bhurji
Protein-Rich: Paneer is a good source of protein, making paneer bhurji a nutritious option for those who follow a vegetarian or plant-based diet. It provides a good amount of protein without the need for meat.
Quick and Easy: Quick and easy recipes are always my favourite. Paneer bhurji is a quick recipe to prepare, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights. You can whip it up in a matter of minutes, making it a go-to dish for when you want a homemade meal without a lot of effort.
Versatile: You can customize this tasty paneer recipe to your liking. You can adjust the level of red chili powder, add your favourite vegetables like peas or bell peppers, and even experiment with different spices to create a variation that suits your taste.
Pairs Well with Various Breads: Paneer bhurji can be enjoyed with various Indian breads, including roti, paratha, naan, or plain bread. This versatility allows you to enjoy it in different ways.
Adaptable to Dietary Preferences: Whether you follow a vegetarian, gluten-free, or keto diet, this delicious bhurji can be adapted to suit your dietary preferences and restrictions.
How to make Paneer Bhurji
First, take a block of paneer and grate it. Keep the fresh, grated paneer aside.
Heat oil in a pan or skillet over medium flame.
Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
Add green chilies and ginger-garlic paste. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and the oil separates from the mixture.
Add turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, chaat masala and salt. Mix well and sauté. Add a little water and mix together. Let the mixture cook for 5-7 minutes.
Now, add the crumbled paneer and stir everything together. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Taste the paneer bhurji and adjust the seasoning or spiciness according to your preference by adding more salt or red chilli powder.
Crush and add some kasuri methi. Toss them together.
Remove the pan from the heat once the paneer is heated and well combined with the spices.
Squeeze in some lime juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve the hot paneer bhurji gravy with roti, paratha, or bread.
Variations in Paneer Bhurji
Cheesy Paneer Bhurji: This variation involves adding grated cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella, to the paneer bhurji filling to make it more indulgent and flavorful.
Vegetable Paneer Bhurji: For this variation, chopped vegetables, such as green bell pepper, carrots, and peas, are added to the paneer bhurji filling to increase its nutritional value and texture.
Sweet, Sour & Spicy Paneer Bhurji: In this variation, a sweet and sour chutney, such as tamarind or mango, or a spicy mint coriander chutney is added to the sandwich.
Paneer Egg Bhurji: Combining scrambled eggs with paneer is a delightful variation. Scramble the eggs and mix them with the crumbled paneer during cooking.
Paneer Bhurji Sandwiches: A Paneer Bhurji Sandwich is a delicious and flavorful sandwich with paneer bhurji as its main filling. This flavorful mixture is placed between bread slices and grilled or toasted, creating a mouthwatering and satisfying sandwich.
Important Tips & Suggestions
Use Fresh Paneer: Soft and fresh paneer is key to a great paneer bhurji. You can make fresh homemade paneer or purchase it from a reliable source. If using store-bought paneer, soak it in warm water for 15-20 minutes before using to soften it.
Balanced Spices: Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less red chilli powder and green chillies according to your preference. Balancing spices is crucial to achieving the perfect flavour.
Adjust Consistency: Control the consistency of your paneer bhurji by adding a little water or milk if it becomes too dry. This will keep it moist and prevent the dry paneer bhurji recipe from becoming too crumbly.
Don’t Overcook the Paneer: Avoid overcooking the paneer, as it can become rubbery. It only needs a few minutes of cooking to absorb the flavours.
Customize to Taste: Remember that paneer bhurji is a versatile dish. Customize it by adding or omitting ingredients based on your personal preferences. Pav Bhaji Masala can be added in place of garam masala.
Vegetable Additions: Feel free to add vegetables like green peas, bell peppers, or spinach to enhance the nutritional value and flavour of your quick paneer bhurji. Just be sure to sauté them until they are tender before adding the paneer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make a vegan version of paneer bhurji by substituting paneer with tofu. You can crumble the tofu and follow a similar recipe, using vegan ingredients and avoiding dairy products.
The spiciness of paneer bhurji can be adjusted to your preference. This tasty recipe can be made mildly spicy or quite spicy by varying the amount of red chilli powder and green chillies.
Common variations of paneer bhurji include matar paneer bhurji (with green peas), capsicum paneer bhurji (with bell peppers), spinach paneer bhurji (with spinach), and egg paneer bhurji (with scrambled eggs). You can also add different vegetables and spices to create your variations.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to maintain the texture.
Freezing paneer bhurji is not recommended, as paneer’s texture can change when frozen and thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh.
Paneer bhurji is typically served with Indian flatbreads such as roti, paratha, or naan. It can also be enjoyed with plain bread or as a side dish with rice.
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Recipe Card
How to make Easy Paneer Bhurji Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 grams Paneer crumbled / grated
- 1 medium sized Onion finely chopped
- 1 medium sized Tomato finely chopped
- 1 Green Chilli
- 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 2 tbsp Oil
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Chilli Powder
- 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
- 1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
- 1/4 tsp Chaat Masala
- 1/2 tsp Kasuri Methi
- 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves finely chopped
Instructions
- First, take 250 grams of paneer and grate it. Keep the fresh, grated paneer aside.
- Heat oil in a pan or skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- Add green chillies and ginger garlic paste. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft.
- Add turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, chaat masala and salt. Mix well and sauté. Add the water and mix. Let the mixture cook for a few minutes until the powder's raw smell disappears.
- Now, add the grated / crumbled paneer and stir everything together. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste the paneer bhurji and adjust the seasoning or spiciness according to your preference by adding more salt or red chilli powder.
- Crush and add the kasuri methi. Toss them together.
- Remove the pan from the heat once the paneer is heated and well combined with the spices.
- Squeeze in some lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve the hot paneer bhurji gravy with roti, paratha, or bread.