Paneer Butter Masala Recipe Dhaba Style – Creamy & Rich Gravy Using a Mixer Grinder

Let’s be honest: before learning how to prepare Paneer Butter Masala, we all made the same mistake by thinking it is ‘a simple North Indian curry.’ And then we ended up with a bowl of subpar food.

No smokiness. No richness. No magic.

But we all have a weakness for street food and the roadside ‘dhaba’  food which serves some of the best. The creamy, flavorful gravy that was so good you couldn’t help but lick your fingers afterward? 

How does the idea of making dhaba-style Paneer Butter Masala at home sound? Now imagine accomplishing that with just your mixer grinder and a few staple items from your pantry.

In this guide, I will walk you through the entire process, from nailing the consistency of the gravy to setting the perfect texture. I’ll also explain how to make your kitchen smell like a Punjabi ‘da Dhaba’, but you don’t have to spend the entire evening hovering over the stove.

Now let’s get to it, starting with that creamy, buttery goodness – one step at a time.

Why Dhaba-Style Paneer Butter Masala Hits Different

Credits: Canva

Let's understand the essence and secret of dhaba-style Paneer Butter Masala. Unlike the ones served in posh restaurants, dhaba-style gravies are:

• Bold and full of masala
• Cooked slowly to deepen the flavour
• Rich but not overly creamy
• Packed with aroma from whole spices
• Slightly charred, adding that smokiness you crave

Recreating this flavour requires two things:

1. The right prep tools
2. Proper technique, and a powerful mixer grinder like a 1000W can make all the difference.

Ingredients for Dhaba-Style Paneer Butter Masala

Credits: Canva

Let’s get our masala box and mixer grinder ready.

For the Paneer:

• 250g paneer (cut into cubes)
• 1 tbsp oil or butter for frying

For the Gravy Base:

• 3 medium onions (sliced)
• 3 large tomatoes (roughly chopped)
• 12-15 cashews (soaked in warm water for 10 mins)
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 3 cloves
• 2 dried red chillies
• 1 bay leaf

Spice Powders:

• 1 tsp red chilli powder (Kashmiri for colour)
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste

Finishing Touches:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp fresh cream
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi (crushed)
• 1 tsp sugar
• Chopped coriander for garnish

Preparation Using Mixer Grinder: The Secret to Smooth Gravy

Credits: Glen India

The luxuriant and creamy flavor of dhaba-style Paneer Butter Masala comes from the gravy’s smooth consistency. There are no onions left behind that are grainy and tomatoes that are not chunked. Your mixer grinder is your best friend in this recipe, and that is why it is dear to you.

Step 1: Dry Grind Whole Spices

Use the dry grinding jar from your Glen Ultra Tuff Mixer Grinder.

Grind together cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, and dried red chillies to a fine powder. The high-powered 1000W copper motor ensures even the toughest spices grind smoothly without overheating.

Step 2: Prepare the Masala Paste

Credits: Glen India

In a pan, add some butter and sauté sliced onions until golden brown. Add the tomatoes and cashews. Cook until everything softens.

Let this mixture cool and then transfer to the transparent blending jar. Add the dry spice powder, a splash of water, and blend until you get a smooth, lump-free paste. The 304SS food-grade blades of Glen’s grinder ensure perfect creaminess, essential for restaurant-style gravy.

Step 3: Bring on the Flavour

In a non-stick pan, add butter. Pour in the blended paste. Cook on medium flame till you see the oil separating from the masala.

This is where the aroma will remind you of a roadside dhaba kitchen.

Step 4: Spice It Right

• Add the spice powders (chilli, turmeric, coriander, cumin) and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Then add around ½ to ¾ cup water to adjust consistency.
• Let it simmer for 8-10 minutes.

Step 5: Make it Buttery & Creamy

• Add cream, kasturi methi, and sugar. Mix well.
• Drop in the paneer cubes gently and coat them with the gravy.
• Simmer for 3-5 minutes more. Garnish with chopped coriander and an extra knob of butter.

Serving Suggestions

Credits: Canva

Paneer Butter Masala goes best with:

• Butter Naan
• Lachha Paratha
• Jeera Rice
• Tandoori Roti

Pro tip: If you want the smoky dhaba aroma, place a small piece of hot coal in a bowl, keep it inside the curry pot, pour ghee over it, and cover with a lid for 2 minutes.

Prep Hack: Freeze It!

You can double this recipe and freeze half of the gravy (without paneer).

Your Glen Mixer Grinder helps you make larger batches effortlessl, with overload protection and special oil seals to avoid spills or motor damage.

Customisation Tips

• Want it spicier? Add more red chillies in the dry grinding stage.
• Want a tomato-heavy version? Add a bit of tomato purée.
• Don’t like cream? Use milk with 1 tsp cornflour mixed in.

Whether you're meal prepping for the week or cooking for a party, this recipe scales beautifully ,  all thanks to that heavy-duty mixer that saves your time.

Why Does the Right Mixer Grinder Matters?

We have all been there at some point and unnecessarily attribute our lack of finesse in the kitchen to our not-so superior cooking skills, while in reality, it is the instrument we are using that makes the estimation of our culinary expertise way off the mark. The appliance is the culprit, for instance, if your gravy is chunky or your spices are not blended in a harmonical manner.

In this case, dishes can easily be made with the help of Ultra Tuff Mixer Grinder. It becomes a total game changer.

Here’s how it helps:

• 1000W powerful motor tackles everything from cashews to soaked dals and even whole turmeric
• 4 jar set lets you manage prep from start to finish: blending, grinding, juicing
• Fruit filter jar makes smoothies and juices a breeze when you want a cooling break from spicy food
• Overload protection & special oil seals keep it safe, clean, and leak-free

You’re not just making a curry,  you’re setting yourself up for efficient, mess-free cooking.

Bonus Idea: Pair It with Air-Fried Naans

Credits: Glen India

If you really want to give your family a dhaba-style experience without the guilt, try making oil-free garlic naan in a digital air fryer. It:

• Bakes, grills, and roasts with little to no oil
• Comes with 8 pre-set menus
• Has a large 12L capacity ,  perfect for naan or even tandoori dishes
• Offers precise time & temperature control from 80°C to 200°C

Your full North Indian meal, with a crispy edge and without standing by the gas stove for hours.

Make Every Meal Worth It

Whether you do it just to eat, or you’re a flavor enthusiast who loves cherishing every bite, cooking with care adds joy to whatever you prepare. The Ultra Tuff Mixer Grinder and the Digital Air Fryer are examples of tools that could elevate your everyday meals to the level of food vlogs you adore, minus the cameras and team.

Ready to Elevate Your Cooking Game?

For the ultra modern Indian kitchen, Glen India offers Ultra Tuff Mixer Grinder and 12L Digital Air Fryer which synergize elegance with functionality. Glen promises efficiency, trust, and versatility in preparing anything from soups to snacks to smoothies and even full course meals.

Glen India offers a wide range of cooking appliances, visit the site now to find the one that best fits your color and style.A mouth watering dhaba-style Paneer Butter Masala deserves a mixer grinder NOT built to last, but to amaze!