Paneer Bhurji is basically a scrambled and spiced paneer preparation made with onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices. This recipe is a Punjabi style of making this popular and delicious North Indian dish, just the way it is made in my home. Paneer also referred to as Indian cottage cheese is an important source of proteins for vegetarians. Indian cuisine has a variety of dishes made with this milk product. There are different ways you can use paneer in cooking, like make Paneer Kofta of it, use it cubed or diced in curries and also crumble it to make a lovely Paneer Bhurji.
About Paneer Bhurji
In Hindi, the word ‘Bhurji’ literally translates to ‘Scrambled.’ So technically, Paneer Bhurji is basically scrambled paneer or cottage cheese cooked with some more ingredients.
In this quick and simple vegetarian recipe, crumbled homemade paneer is cooked with a sautéed mixture of onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, green chilies and some spices into a savory, tangy and satisfying dish.
You can actually take it as the vegetarian version of the Indian style scrambled eggs which is popularly known as egg bhurji or anda bhurji in Hindi language.
There are two ways of making this dish. One is the dry or semi-dry version which I have shared here and is the most common way this recipe is made.
The second version called Paneer Bhurji Gravy, has a curry or gravy base and is served in some local eateries (dhabas) and restaurants in North India.
The ingredients and method of preparation of the curried version is unique and different as compared to the dry version.
The flavorful Paneer Bhurji recipe, as like other bhurji recipes, is quick to make and an ideal breakfast dish too.
What’s best is that you can even make a vegan version of the Paneer Bhurji by substituting the Indian cottage cheese (paneer) with tofu.
However, make sure to not use silken tofu or soft tofu for the same. To make it easier for you, refer to this recipe of Tofu Bhurji.
In addition to the Paneer Bhurji recipe, the anda or egg bhurji is also a classic dish served in most of the dhabas or road side eateries in the whole of North and Western India.
While in Punjabi households, even the Mooli Bhurji is quite common, which is made with grated of finely chopped tender white radish of the winter season.
How to make Paneer Bhurji
Prep Paneer & Make Onion Tomato Masala
1. Crumble 200 to 250 grams paneer with your fingers and keep aside. I have used homemade paneer.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a frying pan or kadai (wok) or a sauté pan or frying pan. You can even use ghee or butter, instead of oil.
Add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and let them crackle on low to medium-low heat.
3. Then, add ½ cup finely chopped onions.
4. Sauté the onions on medium-low heat till translucent and soft.
5. Next, add 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste and 1 or 2 chopped green chilies (about ½ to 1 teaspoon, chopped).
6. Mix very well and sauté for some seconds till the raw aroma of ginger-garlic goes away.
7. Add 1 cup tightly packed finely chopped tomatoes.
8. Mix the tomatoes and begin to sauté on medium-low heat.
9. Sauté the tomatoes till completely soft. You can also add a pinch of salt, so that the tomatoes cook faster.
You will see oil releasing from the sides of the mixture, once the tomatoes are softened.
10. Now add all the ground spice powders:
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder (or ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper)
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder (ground coriander)
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
11. Mix very well and sauté for 5 to 6 seconds on low to medium-low heat.
Make Paneer Bhurji
12. Add the crumbled paneer and salt as per taste.
13. Mix thoroughly and cook for 1 minute. Don’t cook the paneer for a long time, as it hardens and looses its softness.
14. Turn off the heat and add 3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves. Mix very well.
14. Serve Paneer Bhurji hot with roti, chapati, phulka, paratha, Pav (dinner rolls) or bread, with a side of thinly sliced onions and lemon wedges.
Squeeze lemon juice on the bhurji before eating. You can also serve it with toasted bread.