I am sharing the EASIEST palak paneer recipe with you guys – and it is perfection. It’s delicious, tastes like the real deal, and is literally a dump and go recipe. How is this possible? Two words:
Onion Masala
Yup! It’s all thanks to my handy dandy pre-made onion masala! I tell you, onion masala is magic. It’s the answer to eating homemade Indian food on busy weeknights. It’s how you can whip up a meal for guests at the very last minute. Onion masala can basically work food miracles. If you haven’t heard about this stuff, then I’m guessing you’re a new reader – if so, read all about onion masala here. I share recipes here on the blog that call for exact amounts of onion masala, which you can make in bulk in advance. You can check out some of my onion masala recipes here. I think most of the comments, emails, and DMs I get these days are about how this masala is changing your lives, lol (seriously). It really is a game-changer. Since having my second little dude, the only Indian food I make these days is with my previously frozen pucks of masala. No time or energy to cook down onions and tomatoes daily… besides, who wants to do that anyway, right?
What is Palak Paneer?
Palak paneer is a popular north Indian dish that you’ll find on every Indian restaurant’s menu. Palak means spinach, and Paneer means cheese. Paneer is typically called “Indian cottage cheese” and is also known as “farmer’s cheese” in the US. You can definitely make your own paneer at home (I know, I know. I need to share a recipe for that), but I almost always buy store-bought paneer. It’s just a lot more convenient – my Costco sells 2 huge packs of Gopi Paneer for a great price – I usually freeze one pack as soon as I buy it, and it lasts for a long time.
Palak Paneer vs Saag
Palak paneer is similar to saag, so if you’re a fan of my instant pot saag recipe, then you will love this one too! There are differences between these two recipes. Saag can be made with any greens/a mix of greens, whereas this is a “palak saag” – made with just spinach (palak means spinach). Also, in my Punjabi saag recipe, I don’t use any tomatoes. For this palak saag, I’m using my onion masala, which has tomatoes. Both are great in their own way – so if you try them both, you’ll have to let me know what you think! Like this recipe? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board now so you will remember to make it later!
