What To Serve With Paneer – 10 Indian Side Dishes

Paneer is often served with pickles and chutneys like mango and tomato relish, chiles, and mint-chutney. It can also go great with a sweet dish like pineapple-ginger jam or a salad of grilled vegetables.

Paneer is a delicious, protein-rich Indian dish that uses the white curd cheese called paneer.

This dish can be made using almost any type of cheese, but paneer is most often used in Indian cuisine.

However, it can be tricky to know what to serve with paneer. You can’t really go wrong serving this delicious dish with a variety of different sides, sauces, and vegetables.

If you’re looking for some ideas, we have a list of a few of the best sides to serve with paneer.

See Also: 12 Paneer Recipes without Tomato

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Paneer?

Paneer is a type of cheese that originated in India.

It is often referred to as Indian cottage cheese and is often used in curries or other dishes that call for it.

However, paneer is much more versatile than that.

In fact, there are many different ways to enjoy the dairy treat.

It can be enjoyed as a snack, a main dish, or even as a dessert.

To make the most of it, try pairing paneer with different side dishes to create something new.

If you want to change up your favorite Indian dishes, then adding paneer can be a great way to do so.

The dairy product adds a wonderful texture to the meal and gives it a bit of a kick.

Therefore, it should be part of every meal.

Paneer can also go well with some of the best side dishes for meat.

Since it can be served in place of meat, it works with most recipes that call for the former.

What To Serve With Paneer – 10 Side Dishes

We love paneer with just about anything! It’s the perfect addition to curries, stews, soups, stir-fries and salads. You can also try serving it with mango chutney, raita, tamarind sauce, or mint chutney.

1. Basmati Rice

If you’re serving paneer with Indian dishes, then basmati rice is a great choice for side serving. It’s light, fluffy, and pairs really well with creamy and spicy flavours. I love the crunch that it adds too!

The best thing about basmati is that it absorbs flavours well, so you can mix and match with different spices and sauces to suit your taste.

2.  Pulao

I would never be without my stockpot when I’m making pulao. It works brilliantly as both a large pot for cooking the rice and a smaller serving pot for cooking the chicken, spices, and vegetables.

When I’m not in the mood to cook, I often choose to make a pulao ready meal from scratch, but if I have time on my hands, it’s always fun to make the meal from scratch.

To prepare a pulao from scratch, use a stockpot or heavy bottomed frying pan to heat up 2 litres of vegetable oil until it reaches 190°C/375°F. Once the oil is hot, stir fry your onions, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, and coriander leaves until they become fragrant.

Add the spices and mix them through, followed by your chicken and vegetables. Cook for a further 3 minutes before adding your cooked basmati rice and water, and then simmer for around 5-10 minutes.

3. Chapati

Chapati is a flatbread made from wholemeal flour and stuffed with savoury fillings. It’s very similar to pizza in that it is a flatbread which you can eat hot or cold. You can buy chapatis in most supermarkets, and if you want to serve a whole one, simply wrap the edges of the chapati around your plate.

You can also try making your own using a recipe from your local supermarket or takeaway. I particularly like the flavour of the chapati with egg and salad, as I think it’s really delicious!

4. Naan Bread

Naan bread is a delicious accompaniment to Indian meals. It’s made with wholemeal flour, and can be served hot from the oven, or warm from the oven. It makes a perfect accompaniment to a curry, or a spicy chicken dish.

I really like making my own, though, as it means I can make the most of the ingredients in my pantry. I like to spread a little butter or cream cheese on mine before topping it with a selection of Indian condiments, and some fresh cucumber slices.

5. Puri

Puri are served on the side as a snack or appetiser. They’re a popular snack all around the world, and I love them in my lunchbox whenever I’m going out for the day. I like to eat mine warm from the oven, but you can also serve them piping hot straight from the frying pan.

6. Rasam

Rasam is a delicious and warming soup that’s packed full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It originated in the South Indian region of India and is often eaten during the winter months as a way of staving off colds and flu.

It’s often served alongside a snack like pakoda, but you could also serve it with a salad, such as a cucumber and tomato one.

7. Pakora

Pakoras are Indian snacks made from deep fried batter. They’re usually served alongside curries, or at festivals and fairs, but they can also be served alongside other dishes like paneer.

I’ve found the best way to enjoy these is to pair them with a tangy side salad, like the cucumber and mint one I serve here. If you want to go really traditional, you can serve it with a spicy chutney to help cut through the richness of the pakora.

8. Papadum

Papadums are crispy, thin crackers made from chickpea flour. They’re really easy to make at home, and they have the added benefit of being gluten free. Try serving them with a selection of dips like tzatiki and harissa, or try using them as an alternative to bread and butter. If you’re serving a curry dish, papadums are a great way of scooping up any extra sauce left in the bowl!

9. Dhal

Dhal is a nutritious, wholesome Indian dish that usually involves cooking lentils. The addition of spices and herbs makes it an extremely tasty side dish, and I like to serve it with paneer as a vegetarian option.

Paneer (which comes from the Persian word for curd) is a low-fat, high protein cheese that has a mild tangy flavour, which I think pairs really well with dhal. If you’re lucky enough to find fresh paneer, just grate it up straight away! Otherwise, you can buy frozen paneer from your local supermarket. It’s important to take your time when grating up the cheese, though. Use a fine grater or a food processor to make sure your pieces are evenly sized and don’t end up in big, lumps.

10. Keema

Similar to dhal, keema is another super easy option. It’s a delicious curry that uses cubed beef and lamb cooked in spices like turmeric, garlic, and ginger. I’d suggest serving it alongside your paneer, so that your guests can enjoy both the creamy texture of the paneer and the flavoursome gravy in one satisfying meal.