Vegan Matar Paneer (with Tofu Paneer!)

September 15, 2020 By Anjali Shah on

Share This:

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure

This healthy version of matar paneer (made with tofu paneer!) is so rich and comforting it pretty much melts in your mouth when you take a bite of it. Made with only five ingredients, you can enjoy gourmet, restaurant-quality Indian food at home in just 20 minutes!

Traditional matar paneer is absolutely delicious, buttery and satisfying. But it’s also not very healthy for you, and it’s not vegan friendly. That’s why I knew I wanted to make my own version of matar tofu paneer that would be both healthy and delicious. It still has all the traditional Indian classic flavors, but it’s not as high-calorie as regular matar paneer.

The sauce for this vegan matar paneer is creamy, rich, and full of spices, and the tofu paneer just melts in your mouth when you take a bite. I love this lightened up version so we could indulge more often!

Tools and Equipment You’ll Need

Recipe Ingredients and Notes

What do you need to make tofu paneer? Only 5 simple ingredients!

Garlic : Minced

: Minced Onion : Diced

: Diced Peas: Use frozen peas to save on time and prep.

Use frozen peas to save on time and prep. Extra Firm Tofu: Cut into cubes and pressed to get the extra water out. You can use up to 1 16oz block of tofu if you want a chunky curry, or 1/2 the block for a smoother curry.

Cut into cubes and pressed to get the extra water out. You can use up to 1 16oz block of tofu if you want a chunky curry, or 1/2 the block for a smoother curry. Maya Kaimal Curry Sauce: The secret ingredient to getting tons of flavor without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. About 1 bottle will do the trick!

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Press Tofu using either a tofu press or a heavy pan for at least 15 minutes, to remove as much water as possible.

Step 2: Cut the tofu into cubes. Pan fry the tofu cubes in a large pan, heated over medium low heat, with 2 tsp olive oil.

Step 3: Saute the garlic and onions with 1 tsp olive oil over medium high heat, until the onions have cooked down and are translucent.

Step 4: Add the tofu, the curry sauce and the peas, stir to combine. Let it all simmer together for about 10-15 minutes, until the Matar Tofu is cooked through and ready to eat. Season with salt as needed before serving.

Can you believe how easy that is?

Usually I’m not a fan of jarred sauces, but this one is incredibly authentic and doesn’t have any weird preservatives added to it. It has the perfect balance of flavors – with black pepper and coriander paired with aromatic coconut milk and curry leaves.

Oh, and did I mention: it’s vegan and gluten-free. This tofu paneer recipe turned out amazingly well. You won’t even be able to tell that I used tofu instead of paneer cheese. For anyone who has contemplated making Indian food at home in the past, you have to try this easy vegan matar paneer recipe!

What Makes This Tofu Paneer Recipe Healthy?

Protein: Besides the fact that tofu paneer tastes absolutely amazing you’ll be happy to know that it’s also filled with protein. Each serving will give you 14 grams of plant based protein.

Besides the fact that tofu paneer tastes absolutely amazing you’ll be happy to know that it’s also filled with protein. Each serving will give you 14 grams of plant based protein. Low Calorie: Tofu is a much lower calorie alternative to paneer (which is higher in fat and calories, as it’s a whole milk cheese). Each serving of this recipe has only about 230 calories!

Tofu is a much lower calorie alternative to paneer (which is higher in fat and calories, as it’s a whole milk cheese). Each serving of this recipe has only about 230 calories! Nutrients: In addition to being low calorie and having a great serving of protein, you will also get some valuable nutrients in this dish. Iron, calcium, manganese, fiber, copper, and zinc are all found in this recipe.

Will Kids Enjoy This Matar Paneer Recipe?

While this is a more “adventurous” recipe for kids, most kids will end up enjoying this recipe (once they try it) because of the rich flavors and mild spices.

If you do have a child that isn’t interested in eating it, that is completely okay. Try giving them a small helping to start off with and maybe pair it with a piece of naan or their favorite bread. With some encouragement they’ll get used to the flavors and be more likely to try a little bit here and there.

Recipe FAQs

What Is Paneer? Paneer is a cheese that is commonly found in Indian foods. It’s a fresh cheese, and you can eat it right away after it has been made. One unique thing about paneer cheese is that it does not melt as other cheeses do.

Using tofu is a great option for a plant-based paneer alternative, because it looks and has a texture very similar to paneer, only it’s lower in calories/fat and vegan-friendly. How Do You Store Leftover Matar Paneer? To Store: Let it cool down all the way, then place it inside of an airtight food storage container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

To Reheat: Place the tofu paneer in a microwave safe dish and warm it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until it’s ready to serve.

Note: I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as tofu doesn’t tend to freeze well (it changes its texture once it’s frozen and then defrosted). What Do You Serve With Tofu Paneer? There are several ways you can enjoy this recipe:

On Its Own: You can eat it by itself and it’s super filling and delicious that way.

With Bread: Whole wheat naan, whole wheat tortillas, whole wheat pita all taste great with this dish.

With Salad: For more veggies, serve a salad made with greens, cucumbers, tomatoes and onions on the side. You can also steam or saute your favorite veggies to serve as a side dish.

With Rice: Brown rice, quinoa, a mix of brown & white basmati rice, or even other grains like barley, farro, etc. pair well with this recipe.

With Garnishes: Chopped cilantro, a fresh squeeze of lime or lemon juice, or even some crushed cashews would taste great on top.

Top Tips For Making Tofu Paneer

Try to cut the tofu in evenly diced pieces, so it cooks evenly.

Pressing the tofu and then pan frying it so it’s brown and crispy on the outside is critical to making tofu paneer that actually tastes like paneer!

Feel free to add in as much tofu as you like. I usually stick with adding about half a block, but you can always add more or less depending on how many people you’re feeding. My version of this recipe serves four people.

Be sure to allow the ingredients to simmer together, so that way the spices and everything gets a chance to marry and create a beautiful and vibrant dish.

If you want to make this recipe soy-free, you can substitute chickpeas, veggies, or seitan for the tofu.

For more indulgence, add 1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk to this recipe.

Check Out These Incredible Indian Recipes!

If you have tried this Tofu Paneer Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!