Paneer Jalfrezi with Peppers and Chillies
Seared paneer and crunchy peppers in a tangy, hot, tomatoey sauce, quick enough for a weeknight and better than takeaway.
Made with Curry base sauce (onion and tomato). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.70 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wide pan over a high heat. Sear the paneer for 3 minutes until golden and set aside.
3 min - 2
Add the remaining oil and the cumin seeds. When they sizzle after 20 seconds, add the onion, peppers and chillies and stir fry for 4 minutes so they stay crunchy.
4 min - 3
Add the coriander and cook for 20 seconds, then pour in your ready made curry base sauce (see the base recipe).
- 4
Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy. Add the tomato wedges and cook for 2 minutes.
7 min - 5
Return the paneer, add the salt and garam masala and warm through for 2 minutes.
2 min - 6
Squeeze over the lemon juice and serve with rice or naan.
Tips
- Keep the heat high and the vegetables chunky. A jalfrezi should still have bite.
- Add the tomato wedges at the end so they hold their shape.
- Use one chilli for medium and three for hot.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Keeps 2 days in the fridge, reheated until steaming hot all the way through. Peppers soften on freezing, so freeze only if needed.
Questions
Why is jalfrezi hotter and tangier than other curries?
It is a stir-fried curry with fresh chillies and a tomato-based sauce, finished with lemon. The fresh chilli gives sharp heat.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes. Swap the paneer for firm tofu or chickpeas. The base is already vegan.
Is it gluten free?
Yes as written. Check the label of any garam masala you buy for fillers.
More made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Beef Vindaloo (Curry House Style)
GFDFEFMachli Bhuna (Fish Bhuna)
DFEFNFPork Chop Masala (Tawa Style Spiced Pork Chops)
DFEFNFDhaba Anda Masala (Punjabi Roadside Egg Curry)
DFNFVSee every dish made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.