Paneer tacos are an Indian-Mexican fusion dish incorporating Indian and Mexican flavors with paneer and a spiced yogurt marinade. The marinade is very fusion, with tomato paste, oregano, and Indian-style yogurt.
As someone who mostly eats vegetarian foods, I’m always looking for taco fillings that are not meat. And I often feel like there are not enough options for me at taco spots, where I often end up eating bean tacos.
![Paneer tacos](https://indiaphile.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/stp-paneer-tacos-12-400x600.jpg)
I make paneer tacos often, always switching things up. I’ve tested this with both a wet marinade and a dry marinade. They both work, and if you don’t have tomato paste or yogurt, you can still make a version of this taco that tastes great. I really like the wet marinade that coats the taco and is reminiscent of achiote chicken.
We serve this as a family meal in my house, but it could do well in a taco bar. You could set up the different ingredients to be assembled by your guests. It’s a great way to provide a vegetarian option in a taco bar spread.
Ingredients
![Paneer and paneer marinade ingredients](https://indiaphile.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ingredients-paneer-tacos-1-2-385x577.jpg)
![Ingredients for paneer tacos](https://indiaphile.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ingredients-paneer-tacos-1-400x600.jpg)
Paneer – the main cheese of Indian food
Yogurt
Tomato paste
Cilantro-Jalapeno Crema
Onions
Cilantro
Chili Oil
Tortillas – prefer street-style tortillas. The tortillas were a recent update, something I’ve discovered at Trader Joe’s recently.
Oregano
Cilantro
Cumin
Indian-Mexican Fusion
Indian Mexican fusion is growing in popularity. In fact, we have a Mexican Fusion restaurant fairly close by, in Los Angeles. Mexican food has also become very popular in India.
It makes a lot of sense. Indian food and Mexican food have a lot of similarities, with a shared love of cumin, chili, tamarind, tomato-based sauces, and the use of raw onion. When you think about it, tortillas are not that different from rotis.
![Taco](https://indiaphile.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/stp-paneer-tacos-11-400x600.jpg)
Variations
- Instead of chili oil, use a hot sauce or salsa.
- Use sour cream or Mexican crema, chop up the cilantro and jalapeno separately.
- If you don’t like cilantro, leave it out
- Sprinkle on some oregano, or Mexican oregano
- Pickled onions instead of raw
- Pickled radishes
- Cabbage
![](https://indiaphile.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/stp-paneer-tacos-3-740x493.jpg)
Serving Tips
You can make everything ahead of time. The only thing that will need to be reheated is the paneer. The rest is served cold or at room temperature.
![Paneer tacos](https://indiaphile.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/stp-paneer-tacos-12-250x250.jpg)
Paneer Tacos
Ingredients
For the Paneer
- 1 Tbsp yogurt
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- ¾ tsp Kashmiri chili powder or paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¾ tsp cumin ground
- ¼ tsp granulated garlic or 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- 8 oz paneer
- 1 Tbsp neutral oil like avocado
For the Cilantro Crema –
- ¼ cup cilantro
- 1 green chili
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp almond flour or pepitas
- ½ tsp granulated garlic
- ¼ tsp salt or to taste
- ½ tsp cumin whole seeds
For the tacos
- 1 red onion thinly sliced or finely chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- Tortillas
Instructions
For the Paneer
- Cut the paneer into ¼ inch cubes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients together into a smooth paste.
- Add the paneer and stir to coat the paneer cubes in the marinade evenly. Let marinate for 15 minutes upto overnight.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat with 1 Tbsp of oil. When hot, add the paneer cubes and cook until the paneer is crisp and golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes.
For the Cilantro Crema
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
For the tacos
- Heat the tortillas on a dry pan until warmed through.
- Add paneer, cilantro crema, onions, cilantro, and chili oil
- Fold and enjoy
Video
Nutrition
![Row of paneer tacos](https://indiaphile.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ingredients-paneer-tacos-1-3-740x493.jpg)
![Row of paneer tacos](https://indiaphile.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ingredients-paneer-tacos-1-3-740x493.jpg)
I read your recipe for paneer taco. Love it. I’m going to make it.
Thanks, Suman! Hope you enjoy it as much as my family does. ?