Bhurji Paneer Recipe

Indulge in the Spicy Goodness of Bhurji Paneer 

If you're a vegetarian seeking to meet your daily protein needs, paneer, or Indian cottage cheese, comes to the rescue. While classic buttery paneer dishes are delightful, busy days call for bhurji paneer—a popular North Indian recipe akin to scrambled eggs. This creamy goodness blends spices and herbs for a quick and satisfying meal in minutes. Enjoy it with roti, paratha, or stuffed in a moong dal chilla or sandwich for a healthy, fulfilling option.

With a straightforward burji paneer recipe ideal for beginners, practice can elevate its taste, and you can experiment to add your own twist.

How to Make Bhurji Paneer in a Jiffy 

Paneer bhurji requires minimal chopping, which is why it can be assembled quickly. Fresh, homemade paneer can work wonders for this recipe, but you can also use store-bought cottage cheese. 

Ingredients for Making Bhurji Paneer

Here is a list of all the ingredients you will need to make this recipe for two people.  

• Paneer - 200g
• Onion - 1 medium size
• Tomato - 1 medium size
• Green chilli - 1 or 2
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 teaspoon
• Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric - ½ teaspoon
• Kashmiri red chilli powder - ½ teaspoon
• Coriander powder - 1 teaspoon
• Garam Masala powder - ½ teaspoon
• Kasuri Methi - 1 teaspoon
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 2 tablespoons
• Coriander leaves - 2 tablespoons

Now that you have all the ingredients, it is time to learn how to cook paneer bhurji. 

Step 1 - Prepping Up

Before you start cooking, prep all the ingredients. This will make the cooking process faster. Take the paneer and put it in a mixing bowl. Make sure to rinse the paneer properly. Using your fingertips, gently crumble the paneer. Do not mash it. Chunks of paneer make the bhurji taste better. Wash all the vegetables properly. Use a chopping board to finely chop the onions, tomatoes, green chillies and coriander leaves. 

Step 2 - Making the Paneer Bhurji Masala 

Now, let us start the cooking process. Add some oil to a frying pan. Wait for the oil to heat up. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Next, add the onion and green chillies and fry until the onions turn transparent. Once the onions turn translucent, add the ginger-garlic paste to it. Remember that the mixture will start sticking to the pan once you add the paste. So, keep stirring it occasionally. 

Add the tomato to this once the onions turn golden brown. Cook until the tomatoes become mushy. Adding salt along with the tomatoes can help make them soft quickly. Once the tomatoes are done, add all the spices and mix well.

Fry this on a low flame to prevent the mixture from burning. Keep stirring till you see the oil separate from the mixture. 

Step 3 - In Goes the Paneer 

Add the crumbled paneer to the prepared masala. Stir well, but do not mash the paneer. Once the paneer is properly coated in the masala, add kasuri methi to it. Crush this slightly to release the flavour and aroma of the dried fenugreek leaves. Now add half a cup of water to moisten the whole mixture. Let this simmer for a couple of minutes. 

Step 4 - Garnishing and Finishing Up

After one or two minutes, open the pan and give it a good stir. Switch off the flame and garnish it with the chopped coriander leaves. Delicious bhurji paneer is ready!!

Expert Tips 

Remember that paneer can become dry and rubbery when cooked for a long time. So, you should never cook it for more than one or two minutes. 

Add capsicum and carrot to the bhurji paneer. This will not only make it healthier but will also give it a distinct flavour. 

To make the paneer bhurji moist, you can add curd instead of water. Add it to the onion-tomato mixture along with the spices. Stir continuously until the curd is properly cooked and the oil separates from the mixture. 

Want to know how to prepare paneer bhurji vegan style? You can use soya paneer, also known as tofu, which is a popular choice among vegans.

If you want to make this recipe with gravy, you can grind the onion-tomato mixture into a paste. Add roasted gram flour and curd to this paste for a thicker, creamier base. 

Wrapping Up

Bhurji paneer is a classic dish loved by all. The recipe is so easy that even a novice would not have a problem cooking it. The minimum effort required to cook this dish makes it a great choice for busy or lazy days. However, don’t let the recipe's simplicity lead you to doubt its nutritional value. Rich in proteins and fibres, it also contains essential vitamins and minerals. So, the next time you don’t know what to cook, try this recipe. You will soon add this to your weekly meal charts and serve it to guests, too. 

FAQs

Can I make paneer bhurji ahead of time?

Yes! You can make bhurji paneer and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Take out the amount you need and heat it on a low flame to prevent the paneer from overcooking. You can splash a few drops of water to ensure the bhurji stays moist. 

Can I customize bhurji paneer recipe to suit my taste?

Bhurji paneer is a very versatile recipe that can be customised to your taste. You can adjust the spice levels and add vegetables and nuts to the recipe. 

Can I freeze paneer bhurji?

While there is nothing wrong with refrigerating paneer bhurji for a few days, it should not be frozen. Thawing the paneer bhurji can change its texture. It may also make the paneer and vegetables (if added) turn mushy.