Palak Paneer: The Creamy Indian Spinach and Cheese Dish Everyone Loves

When you think of Indian vegetarian food, palak paneer, a rich, creamy curry made with spinach and soft paneer cheese. It's a dish that’s both comforting and packed with nutrients, and it’s served in homes from Delhi to Chennai. The name says it all: palak means spinach, and paneer is the fresh, non-melting cheese you can make at home with just milk and lemon or vinegar. This isn’t just a side dish—it’s a complete meal, often paired with roti or rice, and it’s one of the most requested recipes in Indian kitchens.

What makes palak paneer work so well is the balance between earthy spinach and mild, slightly tangy paneer. The spinach is blended smooth, then cooked down with garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin, turmeric, and garam masala. A touch of cream or yogurt adds silkiness, but many home cooks skip it and still get rich flavor. The paneer cubes are lightly fried or added raw and simmered until they soak up all the goodness. It’s simple, but the technique matters—overcook the spinach and it turns bitter; undercook the paneer and it stays rubbery. paneer, a fresh Indian cheese made by curdling milk with acid is the star, and knowing how to make it yourself—like in this guide—changes everything. And while spinach is the base, some versions add fenugreek leaves or tomatoes for depth. It’s a dish that adapts, but never loses its soul.

Palak paneer fits right into the bigger picture of Indian home cooking. It’s vegetarian, quick to make, and uses ingredients you likely already have. It pairs with other staples like roti, a soft, unleavened flatbread made from whole wheat flour, and works alongside dishes like biryani, a fragrant spiced rice dish often layered with meat or vegetables, for a full meal. If you’ve ever wondered how to make paneer without lemon, or how to keep your spinach from turning dull, you’ll find those answers in the posts below. You’ll also see how people tweak the recipe—some add cashew paste for creaminess, others skip dairy entirely. Whether you’re new to Indian food or have been cooking it for years, palak paneer is the kind of dish that invites you to experiment, taste, and make it your own. Below, you’ll find real recipes, tips, and tricks from people who cook this every week.