Palak Paneer using frozen spinach - Instant Pot

Palak Paneer is a beloved North Indian dish that combines creamy spinach gravy with soft and tender cubes of Indian cottage cheese. The velvety texture of the spinach gravy and the delicate flavor of the paneer makes it an incredibly satisfying and delicious vegetarian option. If you want to enjoy this nutritious and flavorful dish without the hassle of fresh spinach, using frozen spinach and an Instant Pot pressure cooker is the way to go. With my easy recipe, you can prepare Palak Paneer in no time by using frozen spinach instead of fresh.

While Palak Paneer is traditionally made with fresh spinach leaves, using frozen spinach can be a convenient and time-saving alternative. It eliminates the need for cleaning, blanching, and pureeing fresh spinach, and can make the dish more accessible to those without access to fresh greens. In my Instant Pot Palak Paneer recipe, you can use frozen spinach straight from the freezer without having to defrost it beforehand. This makes the cooking process even easier and faster, without sacrificing any of the delicious flavor and nutrition of the dish.

Not only is this dish incredibly delicious, but it's also a great option for those on a gluten-free or keto diet, as it can be paired with cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal. With basic pantry ingredients and minimal spices, this one-pot dish is ready in under 30 minutes. Palak Paneer can be served with a variety of sides, including jeera rice, roti, homemade naan bread, and basmati rice, making it a versatile and satisfying meal option.

Ingredients

Palak (spinach): I am using frozen spinach in this dish.

Paneer: Paneer is a fresh cheese that is easily available in Indian stores. You can use either use store-bought paneer or homemade paneer.

Butter: Use unsalted butter for the best-tasting spinach curry.

Onion and tomato: They are used to make the base gravy of the dish.

Spices: I use are garam masala, ground turmeric, and red chili powder.

Other ingredients: Ginger, garlic, green chili, and lemon juice (or lime juice).

Step-by-step instructions

Useful tips

Traditionally, fresh spinach is used to make this dish but using frozen spinach is very convenient. Frozen spinach can be used without defrosting whereas if you use fresh spinach, you need to clean, blanch, and grind it before using.

You can either buy paneer cheese in Indian grocery stores or make your own paneer at home. Making paneer at home is easier than you think using this Instant Pot paneer recipe.

If you want to use fresh spinach, you will need around 2 lbs (or 2 big bunches) of cleaned and chopped spinach. In that case, reduce the pressure cooking time to 2-3 minutes.

Combine mustard greens, spinach, kale, collard greens, and arugula to make saag paneer using this easy palak paneer recipe. The cooking times will remain the same as long as all the greens are frozen.

As an optional ingredient, you can finish the dish with heavy cream or cashew cream to add richness to the dish.

More Instant Pot recipes:
1. Shahi paneer.
2. Paneer butter masala.
3. Matar paneer.
4. Paneer tikka masala.

More recipes using frozen spinach

FAQs

If you liked this recipe, please don't forget to give a 5-star rating and leave a comment below.

Recipe card

Palak Paneer using frozen spinach - Instant Pot

Indulge in the goodness of Palak Paneer, a popular North Indian dish made with spinach and Indian cottage cheese. This recipe uses frozen spinach in the Instant Pot to create a silky, mildly spiced spinach curry that is both nutritious and hassle-free. No more cleaning, chopping, or blanching required - this dish is a surefire winner for anyone who wants to enjoy a delicious and healthy vegetarian meal in under 30 minutes.

5 from 32 votes

Print Pin Rate

Author: Shilpa

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 5

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 packets frozen spinach see notes
• 2 cups paneer
• 3 tablespoon butter divided
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 inch ginger chopped
• 1-2 cloves garlic chopped
• 2 large tomatoes chopped
• 1-2 green chili or serrano pepper
• ½ teaspoon chili powder or cayenne
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• ½ lemon or lime
• 1½ cups water

Instructions

• Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Once it melts, add onion, ginger, garlic, and green chili. Saute for 3-4 minutes, until the onions soften.
• Add tomatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder, and salt. Mix well and saute for 2 minutes.
• Add the frozen spinach and 1½ cups of water. Mix well and deglaze the pot.
• Cancel the saute mode. Secure the IP lid and set it to pressure cook mode for 5 minutes.
• Do a natural release of pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
• Open the IP lid and blend the spinach gravy using an immersion blender.
• Set the Instant Pot back to saute mode.
• Add the paneer cubes, garam masala, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Mix well and saute for 2-3 minutes.
• Turn off the Instant Pot and add lemon/lime juice.
• Serve hot with roti or jeera rice.

Video

Notes

For this recipe, you will need 2 packets of frozen spinach weighing 10 oz each (approximately 300 grams each).

If you want to use fresh spinach, you will need around 2 lbs (or 2 big bunches) of cleaned and chopped spinach. In that case, reduce the pressure cooking time to 2-3 minutes.

See the tips section above for more useful tips to make this dish.

Nutrition Facts

Palak Paneer using frozen spinach - Instant Pot

Amount per Serving

Calories

395

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

30

g

46

%

Saturated Fat

 

18

g

113

%

Trans Fat

 

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Cholesterol

 

77

mg

26

%

Sodium

 

233

mg

10

%

Potassium

 

655

mg

19

%

Carbohydrates

 

16

g

5

%

Fiber

 

6

g

25

%

Sugar

 

5

g

6

%

Protein

 

18

g

36

%

Vitamin A

 

14259

IU

285

%

Vitamin C

 

27

mg

33

%

Calcium

 

604

mg

60

%

Iron

 

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.