Marinating Paneer? Follow These Tips To Achieve Best Results

By Krati Purwar

June 3, 2025

Marinating paneer is easy, but many home chefs fail to incorporate the milk-based product with flavours. The issue is not in how you prepare the blend, but in how you apply it to the paneer cubes. This short guide will help you.

Pat Paneer Dry

When you purchase a fresh block of paneer, pat it to remove excess moisture so it absorbs the marinade mixture.

Cut It In Shape

Cut the paneer in the right size and shape. At 1 to 1.5 inches cubes are needed to ensure even marination.

Use Balanced Base

Curd or yoghurt is an excellent base to prepare the marinade because the acidity softens paneer and helps spices to stick to their surface.

Duration

Just because paneer is a vegetarian item, does not mean that you can marinate it for a minute. A good 30-60 minute duration will yield better results.

Prick Paneer

If you are using thicker paneer cubes, score them or make cuts in them. It will allow the marinade to penetrate deeper into the layer.

Balance Flavour

The marinade should have acidic elements, aromatics, spices, and salt along with the base to make paneer cubes flavourful.

Store Paneer

Marinate the paneer in a non-reactive dish and cover it with a cello film to prevent it from reacting with air.