How To Make Paneer At Home | Homemade Paneer Recipe (2024)

Learn How To Make Paneer At Home with this easy, 2-ingredient recipe. Soft, perfectly textured homemade paneer is fresh, healthy, and free of additives. It is cheaper to make paneer at home than store-bought.

Growing up in India, I remember my mom always used to make fresh paneer at home. She used this homemade paneer in many Indian dishes like Kashmiri Paneer Masala, shahi paneer, and one of my favorites Palak Paneer

I loved the soft and creamy texture of paneer, with some rich and creamy gravy made out of saag (spinach). A perfect blend of texture, spices, and flavors!

Paneer is quite versatile and can be used in many Indian dishes, from savory to sweet, for making curries or for grilling. Paneer is perfect for grilling as it does not melt.

Popular Indian desserts like Ras malai, rasagulla, paneer kheer are all made with paneer.

A variety of appetizers are made using paneer like Paneer pakora and Paneer Tikka are my favorite. There are many many ways you can use paneer, the possibilities are endless?

What Is Paneer

Paneer is a type of fresh cheese that originates from the Indian subcontinent. It's a key ingredient in many Indian dishes and is widely used in vegetarian cooking due to its versatility and mild flavor.

Paneer is known for its crumbly yet creamy texture and its ability to absorb flavors from the dishes it's cooked in.

Paneer is valued not only for its taste and texture but also for its high protein content. It serves as an excellent source of protein for vegetarians and those looking to incorporate more plant-based options into their diets.

Characteristics of Paneer

Paneer has a soft, crumbly texture that holds its shape well. It is usually sold in blocks or cubes. The color of paneer is white, and it doesn't have a strong flavor on its own, making it an excellent canvas for absorbing the flavors of various spices and sauces.

Paneer is made by curdling milk with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar. The curdled milk is then drained, and the resulting curds are pressed to remove excess moisture. This simple process yields fresh, homemade paneer.

Difference Between Paneer And Cheese

In comparison to cheese, paneer has fewer calories, fat, and protein content, making it a healthier alternative for those who are watching their calories.

Paneer is made by curdling milk. Milk is curdled with an acidic substance like lemon juice, vinegar, buttermilk, curd(yogurt), or citric acid.

Paneer is not aged or fermented like other cheeses. No Rennet is used in the making of paneer, making it purely a vegetarian cheese.

Paneer is made in a similar way as Ricotta cheese. It does not melt like other cheeses. Makes it an excellent candidate for grilling.

Why Make Paneer At Home

While making paneer at home requires a bit of time and effort, the benefits in terms of quality, taste, and customization make it a worthwhile endeavor for many cooking enthusiasts. Making paneer at home offers several benefits, including:

Quality Control: When making paneer at home, you have control over the ingredients used, ensuring you get the freshest and highest-quality milk without additives or preservatives.

Customization: Homemade paneer allows you to customize its texture, flavor, and consistency according to your preferences, resulting in a product that perfectly suits your culinary needs.

Freshness: Homemade paneer is typically fresher and more flavorful than store-bought options, as you can make it on the day you plan to use it.

Cost-Effective: Making paneer at home can be more cost-effective, especially when compared to premium or artisanal store-bought varieties.

No Additives: Homemade paneer avoids the use of additives or stabilizers that might be present in some commercial options.

Health Benefits: Paneer is a good source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Making it at home ensures that you're using quality ingredients and can control its nutritional content.

Ingredients For Homemade Paneer

Here's a description of the main ingredients used to make paneer:

Milk: Milk is the primary ingredient for making paneer. It's recommended to use full-fat milk for the best results. The fat content in the milk contributes to the creaminess and texture of the paneer.

Lemon Juice or Vinegar: Lemon juice or vinegar is used as an acid to curdle the milk. When added to the hot milk, it causes the proteins in the milk to coagulate and form curds. The curds are then separated from the whey, resulting in paneer.

5 Acidic Foods Used To Make Paneer

Depending upon the type of acidic food used to curdle the milk, the texture of the paneer will vary. Here are 5 acidic foods used to curdle the milk:

Vinegar: A soft and firm texture paneer is obtained using vinegar. Use white distilled vinegar for this recipe.

Lemon or Lime Juice: Paneer obtained by curdling milk using lemon juice has a soft, and firm texture. Similar to the one you get with vinegar. Depending on how sour the lemons are, you may have to adjust the quantity of lemon juice.

Yogurt or Curd: In comparison to vinegar or lemon juice, yogurt-based paneer has a softer texture. The paneer is very soft and is hard to form into a block. This type of paneer is best used to make sweets.

Buttermilk: The texture of the paneer is very similar to the one obtained using yogurt. Very soft, and hard to form into a block of paneer. Best used to make sweets or sometimes I even use it to make paneer bhurji (scrambled paneer), a savory dish.

Citric Acid: This is used in the commercial making of paneer. You will usually find the store-bought paneer to be very firm and chewy. This type of texture can be obtained using citric acid.

To make paneer using citric acid, you will need to dissolve the citric acid in water and use this acidic water to make paneer.

How To Make Paneer At Home

Making paneer (Indian cottage cheese) at home is quite simple and requires just a few basic ingredients. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make paneer:

Boil the Milk: Pour the milk into a heavy-bottomed pot and heat it over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Add Acid: Once the milk comes to a gentle boil, add the lemon juice or vinegar. Stir gently. The milk will start to curdle, and you will see the whey (greenish liquid) separating from the curds (paneer).

Continue Cooking: Keep stirring until the milk is fully curdled, and the whey is clear. This process usually takes a few minutes. If the whey is not clear, add a bit more lemon juice or vinegar and continue stirring.

Strain the Curds: Place a colander in the sink and line it with a double layer of cheesecloth or muslin cloth. Pour the curdled mixture into the colander. The whey will drain out, leaving behind the curds.

Rinse the Curds: Rinse the curds under cold water to remove any residual lemon juice or vinegar taste. Press and remove any extra liquid.

Pressing the Paneer: Place the bundled curds between two flat surfaces (such as plates) and put some weights on top. This will help press the paneer and remove additional moisture. Leave it like this for sometime or until the paneer becomes firm.

Unwrap and Use: Unwrap the cheesecloth, and you'll have your homemade paneer ready to use. Cut it into cubes or crumble it, as needed, for your recipes.

Storage: Paneer can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. To keep it fresh, store it in an airtight container submerged in water.

How To Use Whey

Whey is the white or greenish-colored liquid left after making the paneer. This whey is rich in nutrients value. Think of whey as a vegetable broth.

You can use the whey pretty much in the recipe that calls for water or broth. Possibilities are endless. Use the whey cautiously as it will taste slightly sour.

Whey stays good in refrigerator for up to a week. Store it in an air-tight glass container and use it as desired.

Here are a few ways to use whey:

Use this nutrient-rich whey to knead the dough for bread, roti, paratha, naan.

Substitute whey in place of water or broth in the recipe. I use it to make gravy or curry and replace water with whey.

Use this whey to cook pasta, rice, smoothies, or soups. In baking. use it to make bread dough or cookie dough.

Whey is an excellent source of nutrients for your plants. Give a boost to your plants by adding whey mixed with some water.

Storage

Store paneer in an airtight container in the refrigerator, either submerged in water or without water if using it within a few days.

For longer storage, freeze it in individual portions wrapped tightly and thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Tips

Here are some tips for making, storing, and using paneer effectively:

Choose Fresh Milk: Use fresh, high-quality milk for the best results. Full-fat milk yields creamier and richer paneer.

Balancing Acid: When adding lemon juice or vinegar to curdle the milk, start with a small amount and add more as needed. You want the milk to curdle completely, but not excessively.

Draining Whey: Ensure the whey is clear when draining the curdled milk; this indicates that the curdling process is complete.

Customizing Texture: Adjust the pressing time to control the texture of the paneer. Longer pressing yields firmer paneer, while shorter pressing yields softer paneer.

Storage Container: Use airtight containers for storing paneer in the refrigerator to prevent absorption of odors and moisture loss.

Submersion in Water: If you're storing paneer in water, change the water daily to keep it fresh.

Freezing Consideration: While freezing paneer is possible, be aware that its texture may change. It's best used in cooked dishes where texture isn't as critical.

Rejuvenating Paneer: If your paneer has become slightly dry, you can soak it in warm water for a few minutes before using it to restore some moisture.

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