Craving paneer butter masala? Make it at home

By the FeedMeNot team. Updated 3 November 2026.

Why you crave it

Paneer butter masala is mild, creamy and slightly sweet, the safe choice at any restaurant. The craving is for the smooth tomato gravy, which you can make in one blender.

Before you order: take the 20 minute pause

A craving usually peaks and fades. Start the craving timer and rate the urge. If it is still strong after twenty minutes, this recipe is a better answer than a delivery order, and you will have a hot meal ready in about the same time.

Ingredients

• 250 g paneer, cubed (soak in warm water for 10 minutes to keep it soft)
• 4 tomatoes, 1 small onion, 8 cashews
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 2 tbsp cream, 1 tsp sugar, salt

Method

1. Cook the onion, tomatoes, cashews and ginger garlic paste with 1/2 cup water for 10 minutes. Cool a little and blend very smooth.
2. Melt the butter with the oil, pour in the puree and add chilli powder and salt.
3. Simmer 8 minutes until the oil shows at the edges.
4. Add the drained paneer and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Stir in sugar, garam masala, crushed kasuri methi and cream. Switch off.

What this costs compared with delivery

The home cost above is a rough range for the ingredients, based on typical retail prices. Delivery apps add fees, taxes and often a tip on top of the dish price. To see what your own habit costs over a year, use the food delivery cost calculator, or compare one meal in the delivery vs home cooking calculator.

Common questions

More craving swaps

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• Craving kathi roll and shawarma wraps? Egg or paneer kathi roll on a tawa
• Craving french fries and peri peri fries? Crispy masala potato wedges
• All craving swaps