Paneer Fried Rice (No Onion No Garlic)

This Paneer Fried Rice is a delicious Indo-Chinese recipe made without onion and garlic. Loaded with chili paneer, crisp vegetables, fragrant spices, and sauces, this wholesome and satisfying rice dish is bursting with flavor.

Making Paneer Fried Rice is simple to prepare, yet it is packed with taste and nutrition. It is perfect for those who follow a no onion-no garlic diet, prefer saatvik meals, or for Jain cuisine.

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• Paneer Fried Rice without Onion and Garlic
• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients and Notes
• How To Make Paneer Fried Rice
• Storing Suggestions
• Helpful Tips For Paneer Fried Rice
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Rice Dishes without Onion and Garlic
• Paneer Fried Rice (No Onion No Garlic)

Paneer Fried Rice without Onion and Garlic

This Paneer Fried Rice is a perfect combination of two popular Indo-Chinese dishes, chili paneer and fried rice. It is an easy and quick recipe, which brings comfort with the street-style flavors.

The recipe can also be easily customized and you can add your choice of veggies, spices, and sauces. Paneer makes this fried rice nutritious, healthier, and filling. The best part is that there is no need to deep fry the paneer cubes.

I have only use two tablespoons oil from stir-frying the paneer to making the fried rice. After stir-frying the paneer, there will still be some oil in the pan, which is enough to saute the vegetables.

This Paneer Fried Rice is totally free from onion and garlic. The sauces I have used are also without onion and garlic. However, if you want to make a strict Jain dish, skip carrots and ginger.

Ingredients and Notes

• Paneer: Use fresh and soft paneer for the best taste and flavor. If you want to make homemade paneer, check out this recipe post: Homemade Paneer Recipe.
• Oil: Use any neutral-flavored cooking oil. After shallow-frying the paneer, I didn’t need to use more oil to make fried rice. Instead of oil, you can also use butter for more flavor.
• Hot Sauce: Use any hot sauce of your choice without onion and garlic. If you can not find red hot sauce without onion and garlic, you can add green chili sauce.
• Tomato Ketchup: I always buy ketchup that mentions “without onion and garlic” on the bottle. You can find it in most Indian grocery stores.
• Schezwan Sauce: Now, Jain schezwan sauce is readily available in the grocery store. But you can also use homemade schezwan sauce without garlic. If you cannot find Jain sauce, you can use red or green chili sauce instead.
• Cornstarch: It helps bind the sauces and makes the coating of the sauce on the paneer easier. You can use all-purpose flour if you do not have cornstarch.
• Soy Sauce: I used dark soy sauce for the rich color and taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Ginger: You can add more or less ginger according to your taste preference.
• Vegetables: I have added carrots, green beans, green peppers, cabbage, and sweet corn. I have finely chopped the vegetables, but you can cut the vegetables into the desired shape and size.
• Rice: Use basmati or a choice of long-grain rice for this recipe. You can either cook the rice or use the leftover cooked rice. If you cook the rice on the same day, ensure to let it cool down completely before mixing it with vegetables.
• Cilantro: Garnish the Paneer Fried Rice with finely chopped coriander leaves.

How To Make Paneer Fried Rice

Pan-Frying the Paneer Cubes

• In a medium mixing bowl, add tomato ketchup, red chili sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and cornstarch.
• Mix everything into a smooth paste.

• Add paneer cubes to this mixture and coat them well.

• Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
• Transfer the paneer cubes to the pan and arrange them in a single layer.

• Sauté the paneer cubes on all sides until golden brown.
• Remove the paneer cubes to a plate and set them aside.

Making the Paneer Fried Rice

• If you are using the same frying pan, you will have some leftover oil in it.
• If not, add a teaspoon of oil and heat it on medium heat.
• If you use a different pan, transfer the leftover oil to this pan and heat it over medium heat.
• Add chopped ginger and saute for a few seconds.

• Then add chopped green beans, carrots, and corn, and cook on medium to high heat for 2-3 minutes.

• Now, add chopped green peppers and cabbage, mix well, and cook the vegetables for 2 minutes on medium to high heat.
• Do not overcook as the vegetables should be slightly crunchy and not mushy.

• Add salt, pepper, soy sauce, and Schezwan sauce.
• If you do not have Jain Schezwan sauce, add green or red chili sauce.
• Mix well.

• Now, add cooked rice.
• Toss to combine everything well.
• If your rice looks dry, sprinkle a tablespoon of water to provide some moisture.

• Add cooked paneer cubes and mix them gently to combine.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning if required.
• Garnish the paneer fried rice with finely chopped cilantro and serve hot.

More Rice Dishes without Onion and Garlic