All You Need To Know About Paneer Masala Vs Paneer Tikka Masala

Indian meals are always incomplete without spicy food. And if we talk about those ‘masaledar’ paneer dishes, they are just enough to satisfy every food lover’s taste buds. 

If you are fond of spicy food that comes with a lot of different flavors, you must know about the two famous homemade paneer dishes: paneer masala and paneer tikka masala. 

In this paneer masala vs paneer tikka masala post, we will tell you about these dishes in detail, and we’ll also tell you the basic similarities and differences between the two. So let’s get started. 

Paneer masala vs paneer tikka masala: Are they same?

Even though both of these recipes originate from India and are based on paneer, they are two different recipes that just happen to share some common traits.

  • In both the dishes, almost the same bunch of spices are added to the gravy. 
  • Both consist of almost the same amounts and kinds of nutrients. For example, protein, calcium, healthy fats, etc.
  • Onion and tomato are two main components used in making both the gravies. 

Health Benefits of Paneer Masala and Paneer Tikka Masala 

The different ingredients and the spices used in the paneer masala & paneer tikka masala provide excellent health benefits. 

  • Cashews are a healthy source of antioxidants and healthy fatty acids, while the melon seeds are rich in protein and amino acids. 
  • Paneer is rich in protein, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins which are essential for our overall well-being. It helps strengthen bones, teeth and aids in burning fats from the body. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels and assists in enhancing immunity functions. 
  • Tomato is a major dietary source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and antioxidants. They are extremely nutritious and add aromatic flavor to the gravy. 
  • The spices that go into making gravy offer many health benefits too. They help clean toxins from our body and regulate blood pressure while some offer great antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties.

Paneer masala vs paneer tikka masala: What are the differences? 

  • In paneer tikka masala, it is essential to grill the paneer cubes before adding them to the gravy. However, in the paneer masala recipe, you can add paneer cubes as it is.
  • Where paneer masala is simply a blend of paneer and gravy, paneer tikka masala uses capsicum to add up to the smokey flavor. 
  • Paneer tikka masala is a little spicy with crimson color gravy, whereas paneer masala has a more orange-red gravy, and it isn’t as spicy as paneer tikka masala. 

Check out paneer makhani vs paneer tikka masala & shahi paneer vs paneer butter masala, some more recipes which are similar in taste. 

Introduction to Paneer Masala 

Paneer masala is a North Indian paneer curry cooked with onion, fresh tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, and some other fragrant spices. Pan-fried paneer pieces are added to this spicy onion-tomato creamy curry, which can be served as a side dish with heavy cream on top or as part of a larger dinner on special occasions. 

To make this dish flavourful, fresh whole spices are used, which gives it a wonderful scent as well as a delightful taste. Therefore, it is critical that you put whole spices rather than powdered or ready-to-use spices in this dish to achieve the best taste results. 

If you are fond of restaurant-style paneer butter masala, you might like paneer masala as well. 

Along with being spicy, paneer masala is also creamy and rich in texture. This paneer recipe goes well with practically any Indian bread, but it is particularly good with paratha or naan bread. You can even serve it with a side of basmati rice. 

Due to the high protein content of Indian curries, they can be a perfect addition to your normal meals. In other words, if you’re seeking for a quick and simple paneer dish that tastes like restaurant-style paneer, this Paneer Masala is a must-try!

Recipe for paneer masala

  • In a pan, take some ghee/vegan butter and add all of the whole spices. Allow them to crackle for a few minutes. 
  • Add chopped onion and cook for a few minutes until brown. Add the ginger garlic paste and cook for around 1 minute over medium flame until fragrant. 
  • Combine all of the powdered spices and add them into the pan with onions. Cook for a few minutes and then add the tomato puree. 
  • Reduce the heat to low and add a cup of water. Mix one tablespoon of curd in the gravy. 
  • Season with salt and cook for 5 minutes on low heat. 
  • Add paneer cubes and cook for 2 minutes. 
  • Finally, add some garam masala and kasuri methi and cook for another 2 minutes before turning off the heat.

Here is how you can make paneer masala:

Expert Tips

  • In order to fix the tart and sour taste of your gravy, add a little sugar or honey to the mixture. 
  • The consistency of the gravy should be fairly thick (not too watery or not too thick). Therefore, you can adjust the water volume appropriately. If it’s too thin, let it boil until it thickens a little. 
  • Do not use any kind of food colouring to enhance the colour of your dish.

Introduction to Paneer Tikka Masala 

When smokey, grilled paneer tikka is added into the creamy, freshly made rich onion-tomato gravy, we call it paneer tikka masala. 

Something about this dish makes everyone say yes right away when they see it on the restaurant’s menu. This dish is very easy to make but has various steps and guidelines that are critical to follow to achieve the perfect taste. 

This is a sort of Punjabi cuisine that all members of your family will definitely enjoy. So putting in the time and effort to prepare this dinner will undoubtedly be worthwhile! 

Indian cuisine uses the term “tikka” to describe pieces of meat or vegetables that have been marinated in a variety of spices before being cooked. “Masala” is a term that refers to spice mixes that are either in paste or powder form. 

Besides a creamy tomato sauce and pan-fried cottage cheese cubes, this recipe also includes chopped vegetables such as capsicum and onion, which are cooked separately. To get the best flavor out of your paneer tikka masala, garnish it with some coriander leaves before serving.

Recipe for paneer tikka masala

  • Take paneer cubes, chopped capsicums and marinate them for about 2-3 minutes in a mixture of basic spices, oil, and curd. Allow them to rest for 5 minutes before grilling them on medium heat in a pan. 

Note: If you do not have paneer, you can even use tofu and ricotta. Find out more about paneer vs ricotta here. 

  • Heat some oil in a pan and add the chopped onion, cumin seeds, salt, red pepper, coriander powder, turmeric, and curd to make the gravy. Cook until the onion is brown and then add cumin seeds in it. 
  • Allow it to simmer for a few minutes and then add diced tomatoes.
  • Add a little water to the pot, and cook for 5 minutes. Using a blender, puree the gravy until smooth, and then transfer it to a pan.
  • At last, top it with paneer cubes and vegetables, and your dish will be ready.

Here is how you can make masala paneer tikka:

Expert Tips

  • It is advised not to overcook the tikka. If the paneer is grilled for a long time, it will turn chewy and rubbery. Furthermore, overcooked vegetables will have a mushy and squishy texture. 
  • If you have any extra marinade from the tikka left, stir it into the gravy and cook it for a couple of minutes until the flavors blend.

Who invented paneer tikka masala? 

In the 1970s, a Bangladeshi chef in Glasgow, Scotland, added a mild tomato-cream sauce to his chicken tikka, which is boneless chicken marinated in yogurt and curry spices and served on a skewer in the way that kebabs are made. Later on the vegetarian version of this recipe came up with paneer instead of chicken and paneer tikka masala was invented. 

What is the difference between homestyle paneer masala and restaurant-style paneer masala?

The only difference between homestyle and restaurant-style paneer masala is the texture of the gravy.

In restaurant-style, the gravy masala is blended to get a smooth or velvety texture. Whereas in homestyle paneer, we leave the gravy masala as it is leading to somewhat of a muddy texture. 

Should I make my paneer or buy it from the store?

Usually, it is advised to use fresh homemade paneer for recipes like paneer tikka masala or paneer masala. However, if you don’t have much time, you can go for store bought paneer. But make sure it has no preservatives. 


Hope you liked this differentiation between paneer masala vs paneer tikka masala. 

Recent Posts

Popular Posts