Paneer: Nutrition, Recipes, Health Benefits, & Side Effects

Paneer is an Indian cheese used in a wide variety of Indian dishes. It is unsalted, has a mild taste, and is a good source of protein, especially for vegetarians. Paneer is a versatile ingredient and can be eaten cooked and raw, and it is a perfect addition to a weight loss diet plan. Keep reading to learn more about paneer nutrition, health benefits, risks, and how to include it in your diet.

What Is Paneer?

Paneer is a form of fresh and nonaged white cheese obtained by coagulating curdled milk. It is made from fresh buffalo or cow’s milk. Paneer is also known as Indian cottage cheese. It has a mild acidic and milky flavor and a soft, spongy texture. Buffalo milk paneer has a greenish tinge, while cow milk paneer appears slightly yellowish.
Unlike other aged cheese, paneer does not melt upon heating or cooking. It is because curdling change the milk proteins and bind them tightly. That is why paneer holds its shape and is suitable for stir-fries and grills.

The history of paneer can be traced back to ancient Persian and Afghan travelers, who introduced it to the Indian subcontinent. The nomadic tribes of South West Asia first developed a unique cheese-making method with acid and heat, similar to modern-day paneer (1).

Did You Know?

Nowadays, there are different types of paneer available in the market, such as low-fat paneer, vegetable-impregnated paneer made by adding coriander and mint leaves, soy paneer, and UF paneer, which has a higher shelf life.

Paneer contains all the goodness of milk. However, it loses a little bit of soluble whey protein, lactose, and minerals. Check out the nutritional information of paneer below.

Paneer Nutrition Profile

A hundred grams of whole milk paneer contains (2):

Freshly prepared paneer is an excellent source of all these nutrients. Consuming paneer can benefit your health in numerous ways.

Health Benefits Of Paneer

1. Prevents Bone And Teeth Diseases

Paneer contains a high amount of calcium, which is crucial for maintaining teeth and bones. Consuming paneer can strengthen the bones and prevent tooth decay (3).

2. May Boost Immune Health

Paneer is rich in vitamin A, an antioxidant that plays a vital role in boosting our immune health. Vitamin A reduces antibody reactions in the body and may protect against influenza and respiratory tract infection (3), (4).

3. May Prevent Pregnancy Complications

Lack of dietary calcium often leads to pregnancy complications and affects the fetus. Paneer is rich in calcium, a mineral that may reduce the risk of preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous (can be fatal) pregnancy complication and premature birth, and improve maternal and infant bone health (5). While you may take calcium supplements, you can also consume paneer to meet the daily recommended supply of calcium.

Apart from these benefits, consuming paneer may (3):

•  Reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases
•  Improve digestion
•  Reduce muscle cramps
•  Strengthen the hair
•  Keep the skin wrinkle-free
•  Reduce the risk of asthma
•  Help in weight management
•  Prevent protein deficiency
•  Reduce the risk of prostate cancer
•  Prevent stone formation in the gall bladder and urinary system

Unlike any other variety of aged cheese, paneer does not require rennet and live cultures. It takes not more than an hour to prepare fresh paneer. Here is how to do that.

How To Prepare Paneer At Home

You Will Need

•  500 mL full-fat milk
•  1 tablespoon of vinegar or citric acid or half a lemon
•  A cheesecloth

Method

1.  Boil the milk and then turn off the heat and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
2.  Add the acidic medium (whichever you are using) to the milk and stir for a minute.
3.  Once the milk curdles and separates from the whey, it is ready.
4.  Place the cheesecloth in a colander and drain the paneer.
5.  Pour cold water into the paneer immediately to remove the acidic taste.
6.  Tie a knot in the cheesecloth and squeeze the excess water from the paneer.
7.  Hang the cheesecloth for at least 30 minutes to drain all moisture and whey from the paneer.
8.  Alternatively, put the paneer (with the cheesecloth tied around it) on a flat surface and place a heavy object on top. Leave it for 30 minutes to drain all water.
9.  Remove the cloth, slice the paneer, and enjoy!

Pia Kamat, a blogger has tried homemade paneer and shared her experience in a blog post. She says “My experience with store-bought paneer is really bad; it is hard, chewy and rubbery. Years back, one of my friend had showed me how to make paneer at home so I thought of giving the recipe a try. It turned out awesome, it was creamy, soft, light with a crumbly texture. Since then I prefer making paneer at home, it is fresher and cheaper than store-bought (i).”

Pro Tip

You can also use yogurt instead of vinegar or lemon juice to get deliciously soft yet firm paneer at home.

Always use full-fat, non-homogenized milk to prepare paneer. Avoid skimmed and low-fat milk as the paneer may not set well. You can enjoy paneer raw or cooked. Here are a few recipes to try.

How To Use Paneer In Your Diet: Popular Recipes To Try

1. Paneer Bhurji (Scrambled Paneer)

You Will Need

•  200 g paneer (crumbled)
•  1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
•  1-2 tablespoons of oil (or ghee)
•  ½ tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste
•  ½ teaspoon of chili powder
•  ½ teaspoon of coriander powder
•  ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
•  ½ teaspoon of garam masala
•  1 onion (chopped)
•  ½ tomato (chopped)
•  Salt to taste
•  1 tablespoon of fresh coriander leaves or sawtooth herb (finely chopped)

Method

1.  Heat oil (or ghee), add the cumin seeds, and let them crackle.
2.  Add the onion and sauté on medium-low heat until they turn translucent.
3.  Add the ginger-garlic paste and fry until the raw smell goes away.
4.  Add chopped tomatoes and fry for two minutes. Add all the spices and salt and mix well on medium-low flame.
5.  Cover the lid and cook until you see oil releasing from the sides of the mixture.
6.  Add the crumbled paneer and salt (if required) and mix for a minute.
7.  Turn off the heat. Do not cook for long.
8.  Mix the coriander leaves or sawtooth herbs with the bhurji and serve hot.

2. Paneer Tikka

You Will Need

•  1 cup of curd (or Greek yogurt)
•  1 teaspoon of turmeric
•  2 teaspoons of chili powder
•  1 teaspoon of coriander powder
•  ½ teaspoon of cumin powder
•  1 teaspoon of garam masala
•  1 teaspoon of dry fenugreek leaves (crushed)
•  1 teaspoon of chaat masala (optional)
•  2 teaspoons of ginger-garlic paste
•  ½ teaspoon of carom seeds
•  4 teaspoons of gram flour
•  2 tablespoons of lemon juice
•  6 tablespoons of oil
•  1 onion (cubed, petals separated)
•  100 g capsicum (red, green, and yellow, cut in cubes)
•  10 cubes of paneer
•  Salt to taste

Method

1.  Mix the yogurt, all spices, and salt. This is the marinade.
2.  Add the vegetables, paneer cubes, and oil to the marinade and combine. Ensure they are coated well.
3.  Cover the mix and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
4.  Skewer the vegetables and paneer cubes.
5.  Cook the tikkas on a barbecue grill for 15 minutes (flip in between). You can cook them in the oven for 15 minutes at 230°.

3. Palak Paneer

You Will Need

• 200 g paneer, cubed
• 4 cups spinach leaves, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt

Method

1. Blanch the spinach leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes and blend them to a smooth puree.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and shallow fry the paneer cubes.
3. In the same pan, heat another tablespoon of oil and add cumin seeds.
4. Let them splutter and add onions, ginger-garlic paste, and green chilies.
5. Saute for 4-5 minutes and add chopped tomatoes.
6. Cook until they become soft and add all the spices.
7. Mix well and add the spinach puree.
8. Cook for 5-7 minutes while stirring occasionally, and add the fried paneer cubes.
9. Simmer for 5 minutes and serve hot.

You can try these recipes to include paneer in your diet plan. Paneer is a versatile ingredient, and you can cook it any way you want or use it as a replacement for tofu in your recipes. You can stock paneer up for days if stored correctly. Here is how to do it.

How To Store Paneer

Paneer is best consumed fresh. However, it is not always possible to make it at home. Here is how you must buy paneer or store it safely to retain its freshness:

•  Always buy paneer that comes in an airtight packet. Check the expiry date and store as instructed in the package.
•  Refrigerate homemade paneer in an airtight container. Before putting it in the box, you can wrap the paneer in a damp muslin cloth (or cheesecloth).
•  If you do not have muslin cloth, put the paneer in a water-filled bowl, cover the lid, and refrigerate.

Try to consume the paneer within a week or two. Paneer is definitely a tasty and healthy inclusion to your everyday platter. However, it may not be the right choice for all as it has certain side effects.

Possible Side Effects Of Paneer

If you are allergic to milk or lactose intolerant, consuming paneer may cause troubles, like:

•  Stomach pain
•  Bloating
•  Constipation
•  Diarrhea
•  Nausea
•  Vomiting

Even if you have a weak digestive system, consuming paneer may cause these symptoms. Moreover, paneer contains casein, one of the two milk proteins (the other one is whey, which is separated from paneer). People can be allergic to casein, and consuming paneer may cause similar side effects along with respiratory issues, itching, and skin dryness (6).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is paneer junk food?

No, paneer is not junk food. It is a highly nutritious food that contains essential nutrients like protein, sodium, and vitamin A (2).

Can we eat paneer on an empty stomach?

Yes, you can consume paneer on an empty stomach since it is light and easy to digest.

Is paneer good to eat at night?

Yes, studies suggest that consuming protein at night may improve metabolism (7).

Is paneer good for vitamin D?

Yes, paneer is a rich source of vitamin D which promotes healthy bones and reduces the risk of osteomalacia (8), (9).

Does paneer have iron?

No, paneer does not have iron. However, paneer is a low-fat ingredient rich in calcium and sodium that are beneficial for various bodily functions (2).

Explore amazing nutritional facts and health benefits of paneer, including its positive impact on bone and heart health in this video. Click play to understand why you need to include this delicious dairy product in your diet.

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Dr. Sandeep JassalDNM

   

Dr. Sandeep Jassal is a postgraduate in preventive health and lifestyle disease management by profession and a health awareness missionary by passion. After graduating in Ayurvedic Medicine, he did post graduation in preventive and promotive healthcare at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.

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Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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