• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Kitchen Docs
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Indian

    How to make Paneer

    Published: Jan 6, 2018 · Modified: Jun 23, 2024 by Vaishali · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    A short post today, as we have already done most of the work for making paneer in “How to make chaina” post. This recipe for making paneer is just taking our chaina recipe one-step further. So after you have squeezed most of the water out, instead of hanging the chaina from a faucet so that excess water could drip out, we are taking the process a step further.

    I have tried many different versions of making paneer over the years that include adding yogurt to the milk along with vinegar while trying to curdle it; adding some flour to chaina and then kneading it to form smooth paneer; and few others. However, in my honest opinion nothing beats the texture and flavor of paneer made by this method. You just have to be patient to let the chaina sit, pressed by a heavy weight, to get rid of as much moisture as you can. I have seen that if you have time, overnight or 6-8 hours work best. However, if you are in a rush, you still need to give it at least 3-4 hours.

    Ingredients:

    Whole milk – 1 quart or 4 cups

    Blank Form (#3)

    Get this recipe in your inbox.
    Share your email and we will send it straight to your inbox. Plus, enjoy regular doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!

    White vinegar – 2 teaspoon

    Method:

    In a heavy bottomed saucepan, set the milk to boil on a medium low heat and follow the instructions on How to make chaina post. After you have run cold water over the curds and collected all the four corners of your cloth to twist it, squeeze as much water as you can get out and then put it on an inverted plate that has been propped up from one side to give it some slope draining into your kitchen sink (see picture). Put a heavy weight on top of the cheesecloth containing your chaina. I have used my marble “chakla” or the flat rolling surface that I use to make rotis. If you do not have a heavy chakla, you good use a wide flat-bottomed saucepan filled with water to put on your chaina. The idea is to weigh it down for an extended period so that all the water in chaina would drain out and chain becomes a solid piece of paneer. Let it sit like this for at least 3-4 hours but preferably overnight or 6-8 hours.

    After that time, take the paneer out of the cheesecloth/muslin and cut into desired shape and size. If you want to freeze paneer, cut it in pieces of desired size and lay on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for at least 2 hours. After that, the paneer pieces can be transferred to a freezer bag, and stored in the freezer for at least 5-6 months.

    Once you make paneer at home there's no looking back! Use in in Paneer Kathi Rolls, Shahi paneer, paalak paneer and several other paneer recipes.

    Love – Vaishali.

    Tools used:

    Sauce pan

    Sieve

    Muslin/cheese cloth

    Spatula

    Heavy pan or weight

    More Indian

    • Cooked Aloo methi consisting of cubed potatoes and fenugreek leaves in a beige ceramic bowl.
      Aloo Methi Recipe
    • Cooked rice with cumin seeds and garnished with chopped cilantro in a stainless steel bowl with gold handles on a blue backdrop. A bowl of chickpea curry is in the background.
      Indian Cumin Rice or Jeera Rice Recipe
    • Three methi wali makki ki rotis with melting butter on a dark cookie sheet with chili peppers and a bowl of green chili and cranberry pickle.
      Methi Wali Makki ki Roti (Sweet Corn Flatbread with Fenugreek)
    • Ginger Garlic paste in a small mason jar with fresh garlic and ginger in the background on a rustic wooden table.
      Homemade Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kevin Foodie

      November 30, 2024 at 1:08 pm

      Thank you for sharing the link to the Chaina recipe. After reading your recipe, I now understand the concept behind Paneer. This is interesting dish. It reminds me of a cross between tempeh and tofu. Appreciate the Chaina recipes you shared

      Reply
    2. Serena Millet

      August 03, 2018 at 8:52 pm

      This is so helpful thank toy! I appreciate you adding how to freeze it as well. I always make more than I need so I like having the instructions to freeze properly.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, I'm Vaishali!

    Welcome! I am so excited to cook and talk life with you. Here, you will find my kitchen journal full of mostly healthyish recipes that are family friendly, use seasonal and fresh ingredients, plant forward, packed with healing Indian spices and indulgent desserts.

    More about me

    Spring Recipes

    • Close up of creamy risotto with asparagus and peas in a white ceramic bowl.
      Easy No-stir Spring Risotto with Asparagus and Peas
    • A lentil and roasted vegetable salad with spinach and feta cheese served in a white and blue ceramic bowl against a white marbled background.
      Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Salad with Feta and Greek Dressing
    • Aloo Gajar Mutter – A quick stir-fry of potatoes, carrots and peas with dry Indian spices
    • Slices of Citrus Scented Carrot Cranberry Loaf Cake
      Citrus Scented Carrot Cranberry Loaf Cake
    • Turmeric keto cauliflower rice recipe that comes together in one pot in less than 15 minutes. A great low carb alternatice to rice.
      Turmeric Cauliflower Rice or Gobhi Kutra
    • Vegan Instant Pot Lentil Carrot soup with turmeric
      Instant Pot Carrot and Lentil Soup

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Ravioli in Creamy Garlic and Spinach White Sauce
      Ravioli in Creamy Garlic and Spinach “White” Sauce
    • BestEverCinnamonRolls_FI
      Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
    • IcedProteinCoffee
      Easy Iced Protein Coffee | Latte, Vegetarian, Make it Vegan
    • VegetablesinCreamSauce_Tandoori_FI
      Vegetables in Spiced Cream Sauce | Easy, Tandoori
    • Banana pudding with a vanilla wafer on top in a blue and white ceramic plate on a blue background.
      Easy Banana Pudding Recipe (No Bake)
    • Blueberry Cobbler Recipe_Featured Image
      Easy Blueberry Cobbler Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 The Kitchen Docs