Paneer Tikka Masala in Instant Pot

Paneer Tikka Masala is the king of vegetarian curries in north-Indian cuisine.  Tender pieces of Indian cottage cheese, called Paneer, simmered in an aromatic tomato-onion gravy and finished with a splash of heavy cream, which gives this curry its iconic creamy taste.

Here's a no-fuss recipe using an Instant Pot or stove, ready in just 30 minutes!.

Easy 30-Minute Recipe for a Restaurant Favorite

This is such an easy dish to make, which makes it perfect for treating yourself on a weeknight too!  I use the same recipe for entertaining too by the way- it's that special!

The sauce is the key ingredient in this dish, and by using the Instant Pot (or any electric pressure cooker), I am able to infuse all the flavors in the sauce and achieve that rich, slow-simmered taste in a short amount of time.

In the end, you get the same authentic restaurant-style flavors in under 30 minutes.

To marinate paneer or not?

Some restaurants go the extra mile and marinate and grill the paneer cubes. Having eaten and made this dish both ways, I personally prefer when the paneer cubes are added as-is.

I feel they don't dry up (when they're grilled) and soak up the tikka masala flavors really well. In the end, it's totally up to you!

This curry is a vegetarian variation of Chicken Tikka Masala, only more delicious!! There are many variations of this recipe. Dishes like Butter Paneer Masala/Paneer Makhani, Paneer Pasanda, Paneer Lababdar, and so on.

You might also like: Quick & Delicious Paneer Recipes

Jump to:

• Easy 30-Minute Recipe for a Restaurant Favorite
• What is Paneer?
• Is Paneer Tikka Masala the Same as Paneer Makhani ?
• Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions
• Step Step Instructions- How to Make Paneer Tikka Masala
• Stove-Top Recipe
• How to Make Dairy-Free Tikka Masala?
• Serving Suggestion
• Recipe Tips and Notes
• Common Questions
• More Paneer Dishes from my Kitchen
• 📖 Recipe

What is Paneer?

Paneer is a firm cottage cheese commonly used in dishes across the Indian subcontinent. A great source of protein, it is made by curdling milk with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar. It's an un-aged soft cheese that doesn't melt at high temperatures.

Here is an easy recipe for homemade paneer.

Is Paneer Tikka Masala the Same as Paneer Makhani ?

Paneer Tikka Masala is probably the most popular vegetarian entrée at any Indian restaurant. It is said that this recipe was developed in an Indian restaurant in the UK. It is an adaptation of the original Punjabi recipe for Paneer Makhani.

To me, the big difference that separates the two is the use of onions in Paneer Tikka Masala. To make the Tikka Masala curry, I start by sautéing onions with tomatoes and aromatics.  Whereas, I skip the onion when making the Butter Masala or the Makhani curry.

I also add more garam masala in the Tikka Masala curry. As a result, it's a bit spicier (warm not hot) than the Makhani Curry.  Here's a detailed recipe for Paneer Makhani or Paneer Butter Masala.

Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions

Paneer and sauce are the main components of this dish. Let's see what all we need to create this magical dish at home in 30 minutes:

• Paneer: You can find paneer blocks in most Indian and international food stores. Due to its popularity, you can also find it in select Costco, Whole Foods and Safeway locations. Alternatively, you can use extra-firm Tofu, cut in ½ inch pieces.
• Tomatoes: Ripe plum or Roma tomatoes are ideal to make a ruby-red sauce in this dish. Go for the bright red, slightly firm, but ripe tomatoes for maximum flavor. If you cannot find them, canned plum/diced tomatoes will work as well. A 14oz can is enough for this quantity.
• Onions, ginger, garlic: The holy trinity of Indian cuisine is used here as well to create a flavorful foundation for this curry. White or red onions work great here. As for ginger and garlic, fresh or frozen is my preference over the jarred pastes that you find in stores.
• Cashews: Cashews add a sweet-rich taste and texture to the sauce and also make it creamier, even before you add the cream.
• Spices: Usual suspects like salt, garam masala, ground cumin and coriander flavor this sauce beautifully and a combination of turmeric, Kashmiri red chilies and paprika gives it that gorgeous crimson color. If you cannot find Kashmiri chilies, you can replace that with half the quantity of cayenne or just use more paprika instead.
• Herbs: We use a combination of dried fenugreek leaves and fresh cilantro to finish this curry. Fenugreek leaves, also known as Kasoori Methi add an earthy note that balances the richness of the sauce. There isn't any close substitute for it, so if you cannot find it, just skip it, you'll still end up with a stellar tikka masala!
• Heavy Whipping Cream: This is the grand finale to this recipe. By using just ½ a cup of heavy whipping cream, you end up with a silky-smooth and rich sauce. Always check for expiration date of heavy cream and give it a taste if it's nearing it. Heavy cream develops a subtle sour taste the longer it sits in the refrigerator after opening, which might take away from the flavor of this dish.
• Optional Ingredients-
  • Agave/honey/sugar: You can add ½ teaspoon of either to balance the tartness and acidity of tomatoes. Add this after stirring in the heavy cream. Feel free to skip it if your curry tastes perfect as-is.
  • Butter: Stirring in a tiny amount of butter towards the end gives this curry a gorgeous shine. It is optional however and doesn't alter the taste.

Step Step Instructions- How to Make Paneer Tikka Masala

Here are the step-by-step directions on how to make this delicious curry using the Instant Pot, or any comparable electric pressure cooker!

• Turn on Saute mode to pre-heat your Instant Pot. Wait 30 seconds and add butter (or ghee). Add onions and sauté for a minute. (pic 1)
• Add minced ginger and garlic, and cook for 2 minutes, until onions become translucent.(pic 2)
• Add tomato, cashews, salt and spices. Stir well and cancel Saute.(pic 3)
• Add water and use that to deglaze the brown bits that may have stuck at the bottom of the pot.(pic 4)

• Lock lid in place and select Pressure cook/Manual for 3 minutes at high pressure, on sealing mode. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes (NPR) followed by quick pressure release. Open the lid only after the pin drops. (pic 5)
• Using an immersion blender, puree the cooked ingredients into a smooth sauce. To avoid splashes while blending, carefully lift and tilt the pot so the blender head gets fully submersed in the sauce. (pic 6)
• Turn on sauté and add paneer cubes, dried fenugreek, butter, heavy cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until paneer cubes soften and curry becomes creamy. Check for taste and if the sauce seems too acidic from the tomatoes, add ½ teaspoon of agave, honey or sugar (optional). Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with Naan or Jeera rice. (pic 7 & 8)

Stove-Top Recipe

Paneer Tikka masala can be made on the stove-top too. This is how:

• Heat a Heavy Bottom Deep Skillet or Wok on medium-high heat.  Wait 30 seconds and add butter.  Add onions and sauté one minute followed by ginger and garlic paste, and sauté another minute. 
• Now add pureed tomato, cashews, spices and saute for a minute. Add 1 cup of water, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes in medium heat. Stir in between and add more water if needed.
• Open the lid. Using a hand blender or a blender jar, blend the curry into a smooth texture.  Add kasoori methi, heavy cream, paneer cubes, and simmer on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes. Check for taste and if the sauce seems too acidic from the tomatoes, add ½ teaspoon of agave, honey or sugar (optional). Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy!

How to Make Dairy-Free Tikka Masala?

You can easily customize this recipe to your suit your preferences. For a dairy free version, substitute:

• butter/ghee with olive oil
• heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream
• paneer cubes with extra-firm tofu, or soy chunks

Serving Suggestion

Here are some popular pairings with Paneer Tikka Masala to enjoy a complete meal:

• Cumin Rice/Jeera Rice: Cumin flavored basmati rice
• Spinach Rice: Basmati rice cooked with a chopped spinach to make a healthy and flavorful side.
• Aloo Gobi (Cauliflower-Potatoes) or Green Beans and Carrots- to add a complimenting veggie side dish in your meal.
• Boondi Raita- A cooking Indian yogurt dip with crunchy chickpea flour pearls.

If you're eating low-carb, you can pair this curry with Indian Cauli rice (riced cauliflower).

Recipe Tips and Notes

• If you cannot find Paneer in Indian or international stores, use 14-16 ox of extra-firm tofu cut in ½ inch pieces.
• Look for bright red and ripe tomatoes for best results. Alternatively use one 14 oz. can of plum or diced tomatoes.
• Cashews add a rich texture and taste to this curry. They can be substituted with an equal quantity of blanched almonds.
• For finishing we use a dried herb called Kasoori Methi. These dried fenugreek leaves add an earthy note that balances the richness of the sauce. There isn't any close substitute for it, so if you cannot find it, just skip it, you'll still end up with a stellar tikka masala!
• Always check the expiration date of heavy whipping cream before adding. If it's nearing it, do a quick taste test to make sure it hasn't turned sour.
• To avoid splashes while blending the sauce, carefully lift and tilt the pot so the head of the immersion blender gets fully submersed in the sauce.
• If using a regular blender, for safety reasons, wait for the sauce to cool down and then puree.
• Optional step: After stirring in cream check for taste and if the sauce seems too acidic from the tomatoes, add ½ teaspoon of agave, honey or sugar.

Common Questions

📖 Recipe

This recipe was updated in 2020 with clearer instructions and updated process shots and recipe images.