healthy palak paneer recipe

1 Delicious Palak Paneer Recipe – A Healthy Steak-Style Twist!

This healthy palak paneer recipe is my favorite.  You know those days when you want something that feels indulgent, but doesn’t weigh you down? That’s exactly what this Healthy Palak Paneer Steak-Style recipe is all about. Crispy outside, soft inside, and drenched in a rich green spinach marinade — it’s clean, delicious, and totally IBS-friendly.

I started making this when I was trying to reduce my spice load, ditch heavy masalas, and still make paneer feel like a celebration. What came out of it was this pan-seared, steak-style version that looks fancy but is honestly the easiest paneer dish I’ve ever made.

Paneer steak

Why You’ll Love This Palak Paneer Steak Recipe

High Protein, Low Carb – Great for vegetarians focusing on clean eating
No Onion, No Garlic – 100% satvik and gentle on digestion
Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes
Tastes Gourmet – Like a restaurant-style starter, made at home
Pairs Beautifully – With high-protein dal, curd, salad, or roti

Ingredients You’ll Need (Serves 2)

IngredientQuantity
Paneer (cut into thick steaks)                             100g
Spinach (palak) leaves                             1 cup
Ginger                          1 inch (10g)
Green Chilies                   1–2 (adjust to taste)
Coriander Leaves                         Handful (10g)
Turmeric Powder                             ¼ tsp
Salt                           To taste
Olive Oil or Ghee                                1 tbsp

How to Make Healthy Palak Paneer (Steak Style)

🔸 Step 1: Blanch the Spinach

  • Wash spinach thoroughly

  • Blanch in hot water for 1–2 minutes

  • Immediately transfer to ice-cold water to retain the vibrant green color

🔸 Step 2: Make the Marinade

In a blender, add:

  • Blanched spinach

  • Ginger

  • Green chilies

  • Coriander leaves

  • Salt

  • ¼ tsp turmeric

Blend into a smooth, thick paste. This is your flavor-packed, gut-friendly marinade.

🔸 Step 3: Marinate the Paneer

  • Cut paneer into thick steak-like slices

  • Coat generously with the green marinade

  • Let it sit for at least 10–15 minutes (the longer, the better)

🔸 Step 4: Pan-Fry to Perfection

  • Heat a non-stick pan or skillet with olive oil or ghee

  • Gently place each marinated paneer piece into the pan

  • Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and slightly crisp

Serving Ideas

You can enjoy this palak paneer steak as:

  • A clean appetizer with mint chutney

  • A main dish with high-protein dal + curd + salad

  • A lunchbox option with roti or quinoa

  • Or wrapped in a lettuce leaf for a protein-packed low-carb snack

Veg Meal

Ayurvedic & Nutritional Benefits

  • Spinach (Palak): High in iron, magnesium, and fiber — supports energy, gut health, and hormonal balance

  • Paneer: Excellent source of vegetarian protein and healthy fats — great for muscle maintenance and satiety

  • Turmeric: Natural anti-inflammatory and digestive aid

  • Ginger & Coriander: Boost digestion and soothe the stomach

healthy palak paneer recipe

Healthy Palak Paneer Steak

Urmi banerjee
A crispy, protein-rich paneer steak marinated in a flavorful spinach (palak) paste—ideal for IBS-friendly meals, dinner sides, or high-protein vegetarian dishes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course dinner, High Protein, Main Course, vegan, Vegetarian
Cuisine IBS-Friendly, Indian, Low FODMAP Inspired
Servings 2 people
Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Non Sticky Pan with Lid
  • 1 Mixing bowl
  • 1 Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g Paneer(Cottage Cheese ) fresh paneer, cut into thick slices
  • 1 cup spinach leaves
  • 10 g ginger
  • 10 g green chili
  • 10 g fresh coriendar
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 tsp Red Chili Powder For color
  • Salt To taste
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Wash spinach leaves thoroughly.
  • Blanch spinach in hot water for 2 minutes, then immediately transfer to ice-cold water.
  • In a blender, add blanched spinach, ginger, green chilies, coriander leaves, and a little water. Blend into a smooth paste.
  • Add salt and turmeric powder to the paste and mix well.
  • Cut paneer into thick slices.
  • Coat each paneer piece with the prepared spinach marinade.
  • Let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
  • Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium heat.
  • Pan-fry the marinated paneer slices for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  • Serve hot with curd, salad, or high-protein dal.

Notes

  • No garlic, no onion — perfect for Ayurvedic and IBS-friendly diets.
  • Blanching and shocking the spinach preserves its rich green color.
  • You can use butter for a richer flavor or oil for a lighter version.
  • For extra crispness, use a cast iron or nonstick pan.
  • Pairs beautifully with moong dal or cucumber salad.
Keyword easy Indian dinner, green marinated paneer, healthy paneer recipe, IBS friendly paneer, no onion garlic Indian food,, palak paneer steak, protein rich vegetarian, spinach paneer

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

NutrientApprox. Value
Calories                                                      220 kcal
Protein                                                          14g
Fats                                                             16g
Carbs                                                            5g
Fiber                                                               3g

Notes & Tips

  • Use fresh homemade paneer for a softer texture

  • Use ghee if you want a richer flavor and Ayurvedic gut benefit

  • For extra crispness, cook on cast iron or a grill pan

  • To make it more filling, layer on a sprouted moong salad or pair with dal

FAQs – Healthy Palak Paneer Recipe (Steak Style)

Q1: Is palak paneer good for weight loss?
Yes. Spinach is low in calories and high in fiber, while paneer provides protein and healthy fats that keep you full for longer.

Q2: Does pan-frying paneer make it unhealthy?
Not if you use minimal oil or ghee. Pan-frying adds a crisp texture and flavor without compromising health — especially compared to deep frying.

Q3: Can I eat this recipe during IBS or digestion issues?
Yes. This recipe is free from onion, garlic, and heavy spices, making it light and gentle for those with IBS or gut sensitivity.

Q4: Is blanching spinach necessary?
Yes. It removes excess oxalates and helps preserve the bright green color, making spinach easier to digest and visually appealing.

Q5: What’s the best way to complete the meal?
Serve it with high-protein moong dal, a bowl of curd, and a cucumber-carrot salad for a complete, balanced, gut-healing vegetarian meal.

You can Also Try :-Quick Kerala fish curry

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