Palak Paneer using frozen spinach - Instant Pot

5 from 73 votes

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.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Hindu, Vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 395kcal

Author: Shilpa Kerur

Equipment

Instant Pot

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 (use store-bought or homemade 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

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.

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.

You can make the spinach sauce in bulk, portion it in an airtight container or freezer-safe, and freeze it for up to 3 months. When you want to make palak paneer, simmer the sauce with paneer. This way, the curry will be ready in 10 minutes.

Nutrition