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    Home » Lunch and Dinner Recipes

    No Onion No Garlic Palak Paneer For Fasting, Vrat

    Published: Oct 10, 2021 by Kushi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    No Onion No Garlic Palak Paneer Curry or Masala is a creamy and flavorful, healthy and delicious recipe that is one of the best options for your vegetarian, gluten-free lunch or dinner.

    How to make palak paneer without onion garlic, Navratri vrat, fasting, upvas recipes, karwa chauth

    What is Palak Paneer?

    Palak in English means spinach, and paneer is non-melting Indian cottage cheese. Traditionally, at all homes and restaurants, this curry or masala is prepared using tomato-onion gravy as the base, to which spinach puree and paneer are added and cooked. You can check my authentic-style palak paneer recipe and more information about this dish here.

    How to make palak paneer without onion garlic, Navratri vrat, fasting, upvas recipes, karwa chauth

    Onion and garlic are skipped during Navratri fasting or other upvas and vrat days and in sattvic and Jain-style cooking. Whenever you have cravings for palak paneer, follow the recipe below, and you are not going to miss the authentic Dhaba-style palak paneer.

    I cannot believe I have skipped onion and garlic in my cooking for the last three days 🙂 It is a huge achievement for me as most of you know my love for garlic !!!!

    no onion no garlic palak paneer or saag paneer #paneerdishes #paneer recipes for dinner #vratrecipes

    Other fasting recipes

    For all those who are looking for some more no-onion, no-garlic vrat recipes, check out some of these below:

    • Fasting Vrat Recipes
    • Navratri Recipes
    • Sabudana Recipes for Fast

    no onion no garlic palak paneer or saag paneer #paneerdishes #paneer recipes for dinner #vratrecipes

    Today, I have served this palak paneer prepared without using onion and garlic as a side with samak rice upma - a perfect and filling meal combo for your vrat and upvas days.

    Else, you can also serve it with NAAN, ROTI, CHAPATI, or other rice items such as steamed rice, JEERA RICE or GHEE RICE.

    Can I make palak paneer vegan?
    • You can substitute paneer with tofu, potatoes, or makhana
    • You can substitute cream with any dairy-free milk like coconut, soy, cashew, or almond.

    palak paneer recipe, spinach in tofu gravy, paneer curry in instant pot, popular Indian food recipes

    Palak Paneer vs Saag Paneer

    Palak paneer means a dish prepared using only one green leafy vegetable, that is, palak or spinach.

    Saag, on the other hand, is a combination of several green leafy vegetables. Saag paneer is prepared with leaves like mustard greens, dill, fenugreek, amaranth, palak, etc., along with paneer (cottage cheese).

    Palak Paneer without onion garlic!!!

    Doubt how this dish will taste without onion and garlic? Believe me; you are going to love it. It is creamy, spicy, and flavorful, and you will be licking the spoon and going for repeat helpings.

    Sometimes, very minimal basic ingredients are what make your dish a hero. I served it to my family; not only did they love it, but they also couldn't even recognize that there was no onion and garlic.

    Ingredients to make No Onion No Garlic Palak Paneer For Fasting Or Vrat

    For Palak or Spinach Puree

    1 big bunch of Palak or Spinach
    2 tablespoon Mint leaves, optional
    2 tablespoon Coriander leaves or Cilantro, optional

    For Cashew Tomato Paste

    2 tablespoon Cashews, chopped
    1 inch Ginger, roughly chopped
    3 Green chilies (adjust to taste)
    3 medium Tomatoes, chopped

    Other Ingredients

    2 tablespoon Oil
    1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    3 to 4 Dry red chilies
    ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder
    ½ teaspoon Red chile powder
    ½ teaspoon Garam masala powder (curry powder)
    Salt or Sendha namak, to taste
    200 grams Paneer cubes
    1 tablespoon fresh Cream, for garnish, optional (I have used heavy whipping cream)

    palak paneer recipe, spinach in tofu gravy, paneer curry in instant pot, popular Indian food recipes

    How to make no onion no garlic palak paneer for fasting, vrat, or upvas?

    Blanch the Palak (spinach)

    Wash and add the palak in boiling water for 2 minutes and transfer it to a bowl with ice-cold water to stop the cooking process and retain that bright green color. Check the video here.

    Add this blanched palak (spinach), along with some mint leaves & coriander leaves, and 2 to 4 tablespoon of water to a blender or mixer and grind it to a smooth paste.

    Prepare Cashew Tomato Paste

    Add cashews, ginger, green chilies, and tomato, and grind it to a smooth paste using a blender or mixer. Keep this aside.

    palak ki sabji with paneer, easy recipes for vegetarian and vegan lunch, donner #palak #paneer

    How to make Palak Paneer?

    In a pan on medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add cumin seeds, dry red chilies, turmeric powder, red chile powder, garam masala powder, and saute it for few seconds. To avoid these spices from burning, add ¼ cup of water.

    Now add the tomato-cashew paste and let this cook for about 4 minutes on medium flame till the oil has separated.

    Add prepared spinach puree and salt to taste and mix till incorporated for about a minute or two.

    To this, add paneer cubes, mix, and cook for 2 minutes. Switch off the flame and drizzle cream.

    Tips and FAQ:

    • If you are making this palak paneer for kids, skip the green chile and red chile.
    • The gravy should be thick, so do not add too much water.
    • Adjust the spices to taste.
    • If using larger palak or spinach leaves, discard the stem. Else your gravy will become bitter. For best results, use fresh, tender spinach if available.
    • I had reserved a teaspoon of tadka (i.e., before adding tomato-cashew paste) and used it as a garnish along with the cream. Garnish is optional. 
    • You can skip the cream and add milk instead. I generally add cashew paste which adds both creaminess and sweetness to the dish. 
    • The color of the dish varies depending on how long you cook the palak.
    • Also check my new popular post on vrat wale paneer masala

    palak ki sabji with paneer, easy recipes for vegetarian and vegan lunch, donner #palak #paneer

    How to make Makhana Palak or Aloo Palak?

    For preparing Makhana Palak or Aloo Palak, you will have to follow the same steps till you add paneer and substitute it with roasted makhana or boiled potatoes.

    Video Recipe for No Onion No Garlic Palak Paneer For Fasting, Vrat

    Detailed recipe for No Onion No Garlic Palak Paneer For Fasting, Vrat

    Recipe card

    how to make palak paneer without onion garlic, Navratri vrat, fasting, upvas recipes, karwa chauth

    No Onion No Garlic Palak Paneer For Fasting, Vrat, Upvas | Farali Paneer

    Kushi
    No Onion No Garlic Palak Paneer Curry or Masala is a creamy and flavorful, healthy and delicious recipe that is one of the best options for your vegetarian, gluten-free lunch or dinner.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine Delhi, gujarati, Indian, kolkata, north indian, punjabi, South Indian
    Servings 4
    Calories 313 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    FOR PALAK OR SPINACH PUREE

    • 1 big bunch Palak or Spinach
    • 2 tablespoon Mint leaves or Pudina, optional
    • 2 tablespoon Cilantro or Coriander leaves, optional

    FOR CASHEW TOMATO PASTE

    • 2 tablespoon Cashews , chopped
    • 1 inch Ginger , roughly chopped
    • 3 Green chilies (adjust to taste)
    • 3 medium Tomatoes , chopped

    OTHER INGREDIENTS

    • 2 tablespoon Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 3 to 4 Dry red chilies
    • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder
    • ½ teaspoon Red chile powder
    • ½ teaspoon Garam masala powder (curry powder)
    • ½ teaspoon Salt or Sendha namak, adjust to taste
    • 200 grams Paneer , cubes
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Cream , for garnish, optional. I have used heavy whipping cream.

    Instructions
     

    Blanch The Palak (Spinach)

    • Wash and add the palak in boiling water for 2 minutes and transfer it to a bowl with ice-cold water to stop the cooking process and retain that bright green color. Check the video here.
      1 big bunch Palak or Spinach
    • Add this blanched palak (spinach), along with some mint leaves & coriander leaves, and 2 to 4 tablespoon of water to a blender or mixer and grind it to a smooth paste.
      2 tablespoon Mint leaves, 2 tablespoon Cilantro

    Prepare Cashew Tomato Paste

    • Add cashews, ginger, green chilies, and tomato, and grind it to a smooth paste using a blender or mixer. Keep this aside.
      2 tablespoon Cashews, 1 inch Ginger, 3 Green chilies, 3 medium Tomatoes

    How To Make Palak Paneer?

    • In a pan on medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add cumin seeds, dry red chilies, turmeric powder, red chile powder, and garam masala powder, and saute it for a few seconds. To avoid these spices from burning, add ¼ cup of water.
      2 tablespoon Oil, 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds, 3 to 4 Dry red chilies, ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon Red chile powder, ½ teaspoon Garam masala powder
    • Now add the tomato-cashew paste and let this cook for about 4 minutes on medium flame till the oil has separated.
    • Add prepared spinach puree and salt to taste and mix till incorporated for about a minute or two.
      ½ teaspoon Salt
    • To this, add paneer cubes, mix, and cook for 2 minutes. Switch off the flame and drizzle cream.
      200 grams Paneer, 1 tablespoon Fresh Cream

    Notes

    • Also, check my new popular post on vrat wale paneer masala
    • If you are making this palak paneer for kids, skip the green chile and red chile.
    • The gravy should be thick, so do not add too much water.
    • Adjust the spices to taste.
    • If using larger palak or spinach leaves, discard the stem. Else your gravy will become bitter. For best results, use fresh, tender spinach if available.
    • I had reserved a teaspoon of tadka (i.e., before adding tomato-cashew paste) and used it as a garnish along with the cream. Garnish is optional. 
    • You can skip the cream and add milk instead. I generally add cashew paste which adds both creaminess and sweetness to the dish. 
    • The color of the dish varies depending on how long you cook the palak.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 12gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 498mgPotassium: 878mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 9315IUVitamin C: 90mgCalcium: 355mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    ***Click below to save it on Pinterest***

    No Onion No Garlic Palak Paneer Curry or Masala is a creamy and flavorful, healthy and delicious recipe that is one of the best options for your vegetarian, gluten-free lunch or dinner. #palakpaneer #vratwale #saagpaneer #paneerrecipes

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      Hyderabadi Chicken Masala
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      Pakki Chicken Biryani Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chethana Hegde

      October 15, 2023 at 2:44 am

      5 stars
      Perfect recipe for Navarathri. Very tasty and delicious , must try this on one of these days.

      Reply
      • Anjali

        February 14, 2025 at 12:43 am

        5 stars
        Made this yesterday. It was delicious. I am intolerant to onions and cashew - I have IBS- so substituted almonds soaked overnight. It was such a delight to have this dish after years- thank you! I'm thinking that this gravy can be a base for paneer mutter as well?

        Reply
        • Kushi

          February 15, 2025 at 12:47 am

          Thank you so much and yes you can use this as a base for mutter paneer too.

          Reply
    5 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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