Saag paneer

Indian vegetarian curry made of mustard greens, spinach and methi, with fried paneer mixed in.
Serve with a portion of Basmati rice, a naan or chapati for a filling meal. A complementary kachumber salad or chana masala works well on the side.
Ingredients
- 400 grams Mustard greens
- 400 grams Spinach
- 200 grams Methi (optional)
- 400 grams Paneer
- 1 medium Brown onion
- 3 Green finger chillies
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 3 centimetres Ginger
- 2 teaspoons Cumin seeds
- 2.5 teaspoons Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1.5 teaspoons Garam masala (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- 3 tablespoons Ghee
- 2 tablespoons Cornmeal (optional)
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the mustard greens, spinach, and methi (if using) before roughly chopping.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the ghee followed by cumin seeds (allow to sizzle for a minute), then diced onion. Cook until fragrant and slightly browned (6–8 minutes).
- Add minced garlic and ginger, and chopped green chillies. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Add the chopped greens directly to the pan along with 2 teaspoons of the turmeric. Mix well, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 60-90 minutes. Stir occasionally. Sprinkle in cornmeal to help thicken if needed.
- Towards the end of simmering, cube the paneer and coat in the remaining turmeric powder and a little salt.
- Heat the remaining ghee in a separate pan and fry the paneer until golden on all sides (about 1 minute per side). Remove and set aside.
- Once the greens are tender, mash them coarsely.
- Add the fried paneer and simmer gently for 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in garam masala if using.
Helpful notes
Cooking tips
- Using a blender: Blanch the greens briefly, then shock them in ice water. Squeeze out the excess water and blend into a coarse paste before cooking. This produces a smoother texture, cooks faster (30-45 minutes), and retains a brighter green colour. However, it slightly mellows the greens’ flavours.
- Always add the garam masala at the end to preserve its aroma and freshness.
- Smaller cubes of paneer allow for more even cooking and distribution throughout the dish.
Alternative ingredients
- Kale and fenugreek leaves can be used in place of or in combination of spinach and mustard greens - bear in mind this will result in a different flavour profile.
- For a vegan alternative, tofu can be used instead of paneer.
- Use kasuri methi instead of methi and add at the end with the garam masala.
Storage instructions
Allow to cool completely before storing.
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: Transfer to a freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bag and store for 2-3 months. Be aware that the paneer can become dry and crumbly when frozen.
Re-heating instructions
If frozen, ensure it has fully defrosted overnight in the fridge. It is important to defrost slowly to help reduce the dryness of paneer.
Stove: Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is hot throughout. Add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen the curry.
Microwave: Using the microwave can be used to quickly re-heat the curry but can negatively affect the texture of paneer and curry. Re-heat until piping hot throughout.
Nutrition and dietary facts
Vegetarian, Gluten-free
Per serving:Calories: 348kcal (15%), Protein: 19.3g (32%), Fat: 22g (28%), Saturated fat: 12.3g (82%), Carbohydrates: 18.3g (7%), Sugars: 4g (16%), Fibre: 4.7g (16%)
NOTE: The nutritional information provided for this recipe is an estimate based on ingredients and cooking instructions as described - it is intended for informational purposes only.
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