Paneer Lababdar Recipe

Paneer Lababdar or Lababdar paneer is a creamy, delicious, and flavourful paneer recipe. It is one of those few dishes that instantly comes to my mind when I visit any restaurant in India. I have been waiting to make this dish for a long time now and I was glad that I got the texture and taste correct on the first try. This Paneer Lababdar recipe in restaurant style is made with Paneer(Indian cottage cheese), and veggies like onion, and tomato cooked in a spicy and creamy gravy that contains spices, cinnamon, cashews, ginger, garlic, coriander, kasuri methi, and cream. Paneer Lababdar is a very rich paneer gravy dish that is served in Indian restaurants along with Butter Naan, Pickled Onion, and Cumin Rice. It is a very special dish that you can make to celebrate a special occasion and festivals. It has a tangy flavor and is so tasty that will surprise and impress you, your family members, and your guests.

Paneer Lababdar is a very creamy and rich dish served in Restaurants along with other Paneer dishes like Paneer Butter Masala, Shahi Paneer, Matar Paneer, and Paneer Tikka Masala. It is very delicious, super tasty, spicy, and full of flavors. It takes time but is also very easy to make. To make Lababdar paneer, we first make a gravy base with tomatoes and spices. Then, we fry the paneer and finally, we prepare the gravy and garnish it with coriander leaves, cream, and grated paneer for texture.

Follow the complete and detailed video recipe and step-by-step instructions with photos to make this amazing Paneer Lababdar Recipe at home. Also, check out my other Paneer gravy recipes like Dhaba Style Paneer Masala, Kadai Paneer Gravy, Paneer Tikka Masala, and Chilli Paneer Gravy.

Paneer Lababdar Recipe Video

Paneer Lababdar Ingredients

• For gravy base

• 3 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 10 garlic cloves
• 2-inch ginger (peeled & roughly chopped)
• 3 green chilli (chopped)
• 1 cup onion (finely chopped)
• 2 bay leaf
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 4 cardamom
• 3 tomatoes (chopped)
• 2-3 tbsp coriander stem
• 12-15 cashew
• 2 tbsp melon seeds
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 4 whole dry Kashmiri red chilli (for color)
• 1 cup water (Warm)
• For paneer
• 2 tbsp oil
• 400 gm paneer (cut into large cube-size shapes) Always use Homemade Paneer to make rich dishes. I’ve already shared a Homemade Paneer Recipe.
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• For Paneer Lababdar gravy
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 chopped green chilli
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
•  1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ cup water
• 2 chopped tomatoes
• salt as per taste
• 1 finely chopped capsicum
• ¼ cup warm water
• 3-4 tbsp fresh cream
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp grated paneer
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
• 1 pinch garam masala
• fresh cream, chopped coriander leaves, and grated paneer for garnish

How to make Paneer Lababdar Step-by-Step With Photos

1. First, we will prepare the base for the Lababdar paneer. Take a pan and heat 3 tbsp oil. Once the oil is heated, add 1 tsp cumin and let it fry.

2. Once the cumin gets fried, add 10 garlic cloves, 2 inches of roughly chopped and peeled ginger, and 3 chopped green chilli. Mix everything well.

3. Add 1 cup finely chopped onion, 2 bay leaves, 1-inch cinnamon stick, and 4 cardamom. Mix everything well. Keep stirring and Cook for 5 minutes on medium flame.

4. After 5 minutes, the onions cooked well and got soft and changed color. At this stage, add 3 chopped tomatoes, 2-3 tbsp coriander stems, 12-15 cashews, and 2 tbsp melon seeds. Mix everything well on low to medium flame.

5. Add 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder, ½ tsp turmeric powder. Stir and mix well.

6. Add 4 whole dry Kashmiri red chilli(it adds nice color to the gravy). Cook for 3-4 minutes on low to medium flame.

7. After 3-4 minutes, add 1 cup of warm water. Do not use cold or normal water. Mix well.

8. Cover it and let it cook for 5 minutes on low to medium flame.

9. After 5 minutes, remove the cover to check the gravy. The tomatoes have cooked well. Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf from the gravy. Mix everything well and turn off the flame. Let it cool at room temperature.

10. After the gravy cools off, we will grind it to a fine paste-like consistency.

11. Strain the paste through a fine mesh in a separate bowl. Our gravy base is ready.

12. Now, we will prepare the paneer. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a kadai/pan. Once the oil is heated, add 400 gm of paneer cubes into the pan.

13. Add ¼ tsp turmeric powder, ½ tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder, ¼ tsp salt.

14. Fry the paneer pieces on medium flame.

15. Let’s make the Paneer Lababdar gravy now. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan. Once the oil is heated, add 1 tsp cumin and when it is fried, add 2 chopped green chilli. Fry it.

16. Add ½ cup finely chopped onion. Mix well and cook for 4 minutes on medium flame.

17. After 4 minutes, add 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste and mix well. Cook for 3 minutes on low flame.

18. Add the spices now: 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, and mix everything well.

19. Add ½ cup water and cook for 5 minutes on medium flame. Keep stirring.

20. After 5 minutes, add 2 chopped tomatoes and salt as per taste and mix well.

21. Cover it and cook for 3-4 minutes on low to medium flame.

22. Check it after 4 minutes. Mash the veggies and cover for 3 more minutes on low flame.

23. Mash the veggies with the spatula and add 1 finely chopped capsicum. Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes on low flame.

24. After 4 minutes, add the base to the mixture and mix it well. Add ¼ cup warm water to the gravy. Mix and cook for 4 minutes on low flame.

25. After 4 minutes, add salt as per your taste.

26. Add the fried paneer pieces to the gravy.

27. Now, add 3-4 tbsp fresh cream, 1 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp grated paneer, and 1 tsp kasuri methi. Mix everything well and cook for 1 minute on low flame.

28. Turn off the flame and add 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves. Mix well.

29. Add 1 pinch garam masala. Mix well.

30. Garnish with fresh cream, chopped coriander leaves, and grated paneer.

Enjoy your super tasty and delicious Paneer Lababdar. Serve it with Butter Naan and salad.