Craving a quick, spicy, and utterly delicious appetizer? This Garlic Paneer recipe is your go-to! In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a dish that’s perfect as a starter, a side, or even stuffed into wraps and sandwiches. Inspired by bold Indo-Chinese flavors, this dish combines the richness of paneer with a zesty garlic sauce that’s sure to awaken your taste buds.
🧄 Ingredients
For the Garlic Sauce:
- 6 large garlic cloves
- 5–6 dried red chilies (deseeded and optionally soaked for 15 minutes)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Paneer:
- 1¼ cups paneer, diced
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ cup finely chopped onions (optional)
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (or a small strand of mace)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)
- Fresh coriander leaves or celery for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Garlic Sauce
- In a blender, combine garlic cloves, dried red chilies, sugar, salt, vinegar, and water.
- Blend to a coarse or smooth paste, based on your preference.
2. Cook the Sauce
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
- Add chopped onions (if using) and sauté until lightly golden.
- Add the prepared garlic-chili paste to the pan.
- Sauté until the mixture becomes fragrant and the oil starts to separate.
3. Add Paneer
- Add diced paneer to the pan and toss gently to coat with the sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water to adjust consistency.
- Optional: Stir in soy sauce for added flavor.
- Sauté for 2–3 minutes, ensuring the paneer is well-coated and heated through.
4. Garnish and Serve
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves or celery.
- Serve hot as a starter or side dish.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
- As an appetizer with toothpicks
- Inside wraps or kathi rolls with veggies and chutneys
- Over fried rice, Hakka noodles, or egg noodles
- In a toasted sandwich with lettuce, onions, and curd
- With a side of mint chutney or garlic yogurt dip
🧄 Spicy Garlic Paneer Stir-Fry
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Medium skillet or frying pan
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 🔸 For the Garlic Sauce:
- 6 large garlic cloves
- 5 –6 dried red chilies deseeded, optionally soaked 15 mins
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vinegar white or apple cider
- 2 tablespoons water
- 🔸 For the Paneer:
- 1¼ cups paneer diced
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ cup finely chopped onions optional
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds or a small strand of mace
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce optional
- Fresh coriander leaves or celery for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Sauce
- Blend garlic, red chilies, sugar, salt, vinegar, and water into a coarse or smooth paste.
- Cook the Sauce
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds to sizzle.
- Add chopped onions (if using) and sauté until golden.
- Stir in the garlic-chili paste. Sauté until aromatic and oil begins to separate.
- Add Paneer
- Add paneer cubes and gently toss in the sauce.
- Optional: Add soy sauce and a splash of water to adjust consistency.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until paneer is heated and coated.
- Garnish & Serve
- Garnish with fresh coriander or celery.
- Serve hot as a flavorful appetizer or side.
Notes
🔍 Nutrition Information (Estimated per serving)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Net Carbs: 4g
💡 Tips for Success
- Soak Chilies: Softens texture and mellows the heat for a smoother blend.
- Paneer Softness: Soak store-bought paneer in warm water for 10 minutes before using.
- Adjust Heat: Reduce heat by deseeding chilies or using fewer.
- Consistent Sauce: Blend until smooth if you prefer a silky texture.
🔄 Variations
- Vegan Version: Use firm tofu in place of paneer.
- Extra Tang: Add a splash of lemon juice before serving.
- Smoky Twist: Use smoked paprika in the sauce for added depth.
- Sweet Heat: Add a touch of honey to balance the spice.
- Veggie Boost: Include bell peppers or mushrooms for added texture.
🔍 Nutrition Information (Estimated per serving)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Net Carbs: 4g
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I make this dish vegan?
A: Yes! Substitute paneer with firm tofu to make a vegan version.
Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: The spice level can be adjusted by varying the number of dried red chilies. Deseeding them also reduces the heat.
Q: Can I prepare the garlic sauce in advance?
A: Absolutely! Store the prepared sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Q: What if I don’t have a blender?
A: You can finely mince the garlic and chilies and mix them with the other sauce ingredients. The texture will be different but still flavorful.
✅ Final Thoughts
This Garlic Paneer is bold, flavorful, and irresistibly easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want something quick and spicy, this dish delivers every time. Serve it as a starter, snack, or wrap filler—and let the punchy garlic sauce steal the show.
