Paneer Tikka Masala (Restaurant Style)
Charred, marinated paneer in a mild, creamy tomato sauce, a vegetarian take on Britain's favourite curry.
Made with Curry base sauce (onion and tomato) and Tikka marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.75 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
Toss the paneer, pepper and onion wedges with 100 g of your ready made tikka marinade (see the base recipe). Leave for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge.
30 min - 2
Heat the grill to high or a griddle pan until very hot. Cook the paneer and vegetables for 8 minutes, turning, until charred at the edges.
8 min - 3
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the cumin, paprika and remaining marinade and cook for 2 minutes.
- 4
Pour in your ready made curry base sauce (see the base recipe) and bring to a simmer. Cook for 8 minutes.
8 min - 5
Stir in the cream, sugar and salt and warm through for 2 minutes without boiling hard.
2 min - 6
Fold in the charred paneer and vegetables, simmer for 3 minutes, then top with coriander. Serve with rice or naan.
3 min
Tips
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes. Overnight is better and the paneer picks up a deeper flavour.
- Char the paneer rather than boiling it in the sauce. The smoky edges are what make it a tikka masala.
- Use a vegan cream and a dairy free tikka marinade to make a dairy free version, though paneer itself contains dairy.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 2 days in the fridge. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. Freezing makes the cream sauce split, so eat fresh.
Questions
Is paneer tikka masala spicy?
It is mild to medium. Add a pinch more chilli powder or a sliced green chilli for more heat.
Can I use tofu instead?
Yes. Press firm tofu for 20 minutes and use it the same way. Swap the cream for coconut cream to make the sauce dairy free.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the label on your cream and any spices you add.
More made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Curried Red Lentil and Tomato Soup
GFDFEFHyderabadi Lamb Dalcha (Lamb and Lentil Curry)
DFEFNFTinned Tuna Curry with Potatoes and Peas
GFDFEFMasala Mussels with Coconut and Curry Leaf
GFDFEFSee 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.