Mango Paneer Curry — Sweet-Savory Vegetarian Pakistani Curry

Mango Paneer Curry — Sweet-Savory Vegetarian Pakistani Curry

Quick recipe summary
Sauté paneer with onions, ginger, chilies. Add coconut milk + Chaunsa pulp. Simmer 20 min. Serve over basmati rice. Serves 4. Vegetarian.

Why this recipe works

Mango paneer curry is the vegetarian alternative to mango chicken curry — sweeter, lighter, but equally satisfying. Pakistani vegetarian celebrations often feature this during summer months.

What's great about this approach

  • Vegetarian celebration dish
  • Sweet-savory balance
  • One-pot
  • Naturally gluten-free

What to watch for

  • Pan-fry paneer first — adds texture and flavor
  • Don't boil coconut milk — it separates
  • Adjust chili for kids

At a glance

Prep Cook Servings Difficulty
15 min 20 min 4 Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 400g paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cut in 2cm cubes
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 inches ginger, minced
  • 2 green chilies, slit
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 cup ripe Chaunsa mango pulp
  • 1 can (400ml) coconut milk
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Cooked basmati rice to serve

Best mango for this recipe: Nawabpuri Chaunsa or Mosami Chaunsa

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan. Pan-fry paneer cubes 5 min, turning, until golden. Set aside.
  2. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil. Add onion. Sauté 5 min until golden.
  3. Add garlic, ginger, chilies. Sauté 1 min.
  4. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric. Stir 30 seconds.
  5. Add mango pulp and coconut milk. Whisk gently.
  6. Add lime juice and salt. Bring to gentle simmer.
  7. Return paneer cubes to pan. Cover and simmer 15–20 min.
  8. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve over basmati rice.

Tips from our family kitchen

  • For richer version, replace 1/2 cup coconut milk with heavy cream
  • Pan-fry paneer with a pinch of turmeric for color
  • Pairs with naan or roti as well

Frequently asked questions

Vegan version?

Substitute paneer with firm tofu. Same method. Tofu absorbs the sauce flavor well.

How spicy?

Mild-medium with 2 chilies. Reduce or skip for kids.

Pair with rice or roti?

Both work. Basmati rice absorbs the sauce; roti is for scooping.

Need fresh mangoes for this recipe?

Our 2026 harvest — hand-picked, naturally ripened, cold-chain shipped Pakistan-wide. Browse premium boxes

— The Malik family
1636/13-A, Pir Khursheed Colony, Multan, 66000, Pakistan

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