This no-cooking Paneer Sandwich recipe is made with plain paneer, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, chutneys, and spices. This easy Indian sandwich comes together in no time and makes a great lunch.
During the Diwali season, I love cooking with paneer. It's a festive time of year so everyone loves a little indulgence.
When you're not in the mood to make the more traditional paneer recipes, such as Paneer Makhani or Palak Paneer, opt for a super quick & easy Paneer Sandwich recipe made with fresh ingredients.
More Easy Sandwich Recipes
Check out my very popular Bombay Grilled Sandwich flavored with potato, veggies, and chat masala. Skip the potatoes, and make this delicious Veg Grilled Cheese Sandwich. For a Mediterranean-inspired sandwich, try this incredible Vegan Hummus Sandwich. Looking for some tea time inspo? Try these dainty Indian-inspired Afternoon Tea Party Sandwiches.
What is a Paneer Sandwich?
A Paneer Sandwich is exactly as the name states. Paneer which is essentially Indian cheese is layered with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, butter, chutneys, and chat masala which results in the most delicious sandwich.
What I love about this wonderful recipe is its simplicity. There is no cooking involved here - you don't even have to grill the paneer. Just some sliced plain paneer pieces topped on toasted bread with veggies, chutneys, and spices.
This recipe is inspired by my Bombay Grilled Sandwich recipe except I used paneer instead of potatoes (hello, high protein), and I used red chili sauce which adds a mild sweetness and spice.
Without further ado, here is the recipe for Paneer Sandwich.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No-Cooking Paneer Sandwich
- It is quick and easy
- This makes an easy lunch or dinner
- It is made with the most basic ingredients
- It is sweet & spicy
- It's perfect for meal prepping
Ingredients
- White Sandwich Bread - I love Whole Foods' organic white sandwich bread, and I can't emphasize enough to use white bread here for the best flavor.
- Paneer - I use store-bought paneer and soak it in hot water for 20 minutes which results in super soft paneer. Then slice the paneer about ⅛" inch thick.
- Spinach Leaves - I use organic fresh baby spinach for this recipe.
- Tomatoes - Plum or Roma tomatoes work best.
- Cucumbers - Thinly sliced cucumbers.
- Onions - Red or White onions work, but for this recipe, I prefer thinly sliced white onions.
- Green Chutney - You can use store-bought green chutney or homemade. Here is my Cilantro Green Chutney recipe. You may also use Mint Chutney.
- Red Chili Sauce - I love Ching's Red Chili Sauce which adds spice and a mild sweetness. You can find Ching's products at the Indian grocery store.
- Chat Masala - I love MDH brand Chat Masala.
- Butter - Make sure the butter is at room temperature. I love using unsalted grass-fed Kerrygold butter.
How to Make Paneer Sandwich Recipe
Prep
1. If using store-bought paneer, add hot water to the paneer and soak for 20 minutes. This ensures super soft paneer.
2. In the meantime, make Cilantro Chutney (or Coriander Chutney) if you're not using store-bought.
3. Slice the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions (form rings of onions).
4. Thinly slice paneer. Ideally, you want ⅛" inch thick slices.
Assemble
5. Take 2 slices of white bread and toast.
6. Spread room-temperature unsalted butter on both sides.
7. Spread green chutney on one side and Ching's red chili sauce on the other side. Alternatively, you may use tomato ketchup.
8. Add fresh spinach leaves over the green chutney layer.
9. Now add a layer of paneer and lots of chat masala.
10. Add tomatoes.
11. Add cucumbers.
12. Add raw onions and chat masala.
13. Close the sandwich. Slice in half. Insert 2 toothpicks to secure the sandwich.
Substitutions
Here are some swaps you can make if needed:
- Bread - Instead of using white sandwich bread, you may use sourdough or whole wheat bread.
- Paneer - If you don't have access to paneer, halloumi cheese will work great in this recipe.
- Vegan - For a vegan option, you may use sliced firm tofu in place of paneer, but remember, it won't taste exactly the same since paneer is cheese.
- Gluten-free - For a gluten-free option, simply use gf bread.
Storing + Meal Prep Ideas
Slice the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and paneer. Store them separately in a Pyrex glass container and in the fridge.
I used fresh baby spinach for this recipe which is already pre-cut.
Make the cilantro chutney ahead of time and you can freeze it for up to 1 month.
Pro Tip
When using store-bought paneer, make sure to soak paneer in boiling hot water for 20 minutes to ensure soft paneer. If you're using fresh homemade paneer, you do not need to do this step. Then slice paneer as usual.
FAQ
You may substitute halloumi cheese for paneer.
For a vegan option, use extra firm tofu - make sure you remove the access water from the tofu.
Sprinkle some red chili powder along with the chat masala for a spicier sandwich. You can also add more green chilies to the Cilantro Chutney.
Absolutely! Simply replace the bread with gluten-free bread.
For a healthier option - you may use multigrain bread or whole-wheat bread.
Yes! Butter adds flavor and moisture, but if you'd rather skip the butter for a healthier option, feel free.
Yes, you can. It'll add a different flavor, but it'll still be good. For simplicity's sake, I prefer the uncooked paneer flavor.
For a hot Paneer Sandwich -
a. You may grill the sandwich on a castiron skillet or grill pan.
b. Use a sandwich maker and heat it up. Alternatively, a panini maker would work well too.
Cook until golden brown for the best results.
Absolutely! You can make my Paneer Bhurji recipe and then use the leftover Paneer Bhurji in this sandwich.
More Paneer Recipes
📖 Recipe Card
Paneer Sandwich
Ingredients
- 200 grams paneer, soaked & sliced
- 8 slices white bread
- 1 cup spinach leaves
- 2 plum tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cucumber, peeled & sliced
- 1 white onion, sliced in round circles
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon per sandwich
- 4 tablespoon cilantro chutney
- 4 tablespoon red chili sauce
- chat masala to taste
to assemble one sandwich you'll need
- 2 slices white sandwich bread
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp cilantro chutney
- 1 tbsp red chili sauce
- 6-7 fresh spinach leaves
- 4 slices paneer
- 6 slices tomato
- 6 slices cucumber
- few slices onion
- to taste chat masala
Instructions
Prep
- If using store-bought paneer, add hot water to the paneer and soak for 20 minutes. This ensures super soft paneer.
- In the meantime, make Cilantro Chutney (or Coriander Chutney) if you're not using store-bought.
- Slice the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions (form rings of onions).
- Thinly slice paneer. Ideally, you want ⅛" inch thick slices.
Assemble
- Take 2 slices of white bread and toast.
- Spread room-temperature unsalted butter on both sides.
- Spread green chutney on one side and Ching's red chili sauce on the other side. Alternatively, you may use tomato ketchup.
- Add fresh spinach leaves over the green chutney layer.
- Now add a layer of paneer and lots of chat masala.
- Add tomatoes.
- Add cucumbers.
- Add raw onions and chat masala.
- Close the sandwich. Slice in half. Insert 2 toothpicks to secure the sandwich.
LEAVE A COMMENT & RATE THIS RECIPE