Panera Bread is a popular fast casual restaurant chain known for its freshly baked bread, sandwiches, salads, and soups. One of the signature items at Panera is their French onion soup which is served with a unique gruyere cheese sauce floating on top.
The History of Panera’s French Onion Soup
Panera Bread was founded in 1981 under the name Au Bon Pain Co. The original concept focused on artisanal breads and sandwiches served in an upscale fast casual environment. In 1993, Au Bon Pain Co. purchased the St. Louis Bread Company, a chain of 20 bakery-cafes located in the St. Louis area. The company rebranded all of its locations under the St. Louis Bread Co. name.
One of the most popular menu items at the St. Louis Bread Co. was the French onion soup made with a signature gruyere cheese sauce. When Au Bon Pain Co. purchased the chain, they kept this soup on the menu. The rich, cheesy French onion soup went on to become one of Panera’s signature dishes.
In 1997, the company decided to change the name from St. Louis Bread Co. to Panera, meaning “time of bread” in Latin. By this time, the French onion soup topped with a melted gruyere sauce was served at all locations and had become iconic on the menu.
The Panera French Onion Soup Recipe
While the exact recipe is a well-guarded company secret, Panera has shared some details about how they make their popular French onion soup:
- It starts with a classic French onion soup made by slowly caramelizing onions in butter and broth until deeply browned.
- Panera makes their soup with a mix of chicken and beef stock for richer flavor.
- They add a dash of sherry wine and finish it with salt and pepper.
The soup is topped with Panera’s signature gruyere cheese sauce made from imported Swiss gruyere cheese, cream, and a mix of other cheeses. The sauce has a rich, decadent texture while still being light.
When the soup is ordered, the gruyere sauce is ladled on top of the hot onion soup so it begins to melt and bubble. Sprinkling the top with fresh thyme adds aroma and herbal flavor. The soup is served piping hot in a crock with a cheese crust floating on top.
The Secret Behind Panera’s Gruyere Cheese Sauce
While Panera keeps the exact recipe private, some of the secrets behind their signature sauce include:
- Using imported gruyere cheese from Switzerland. The nutty, slightly fruity gruyere gives the sauce its distinctive flavor.
- Combining the gruyere with cream, butter, and other cheeses like fontina and Parmesan. This gives the sauce a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Heating the sauce very gently so it emulsifies without curdling or separating.
- Pouring the hot sauce over the simmering soup so it begins melting immediately.
Food experts who have analyzed Panera’s gruyere cheese sauce say it likely contains around equal parts of gruyere and cream or milk to achieve its velvety texture. Butter is worked in along with small amounts of fontina, Parmesan, and perhaps a touch of nutmeg or white pepper.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for Panera Bread’s French onion soup with gruyere cheese sauce:
| Nutrition Facts | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 390 |
| Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 15g |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g |
| Cholesterol | 65mg |
| Sodium | 830mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Protein | 13g |
As the data shows, the soup is high in calories, fat, and saturated fat due to the cheese sauce. It also contains a high amount of sodium. On the positive side, it provides a good dose of protein from the cheese and has some fiber from the onions.
Purchasing Panera’s French Onion Soup
There are a few ways you can purchase Panera’s popular French onion soup:
- Order it hot and fresh in any Panera Bread cafe. It is available daily during regular business hours.
- Order online for takeout or delivery through Panera’s website or delivery apps.
- Find Panera’s French onion soup on the catering menu for large orders.
- Purchase single-serve cups of the soup frozen at many grocery stores across the country.
The frozen version makes it easy to heat and enjoy Panera’s signature soup at home. While not quite as good as fresh, it still delivers that distinctive gruyere cheese sauce flavor.
Copycat Panera French Onion Soup Recipe
Want to recreate Panera’s famous French onion soup at home? Here is a copycat recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 3 large yellow onions, sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1⁄4 cup dry sherry
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the cheese sauce:
- 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
- 1⁄2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 1⁄2 cups grated gruyere cheese
- 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions:
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook the onions in the butter and oil until soft and golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- Add the beef broth, chicken broth, thyme, bay leaf and sherry. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Heat the cream, milk, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. When bubbling, add the garlic and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in the gruyere and Parmesan until melted and smooth. Season with a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs from the soup. Ladle the soup into ovenproof bowls and top with the gruyere cheese sauce.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and starting to brown.
- Garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired.
This recipe allows you to recreate the taste of Panera’s popular soup. The key is slowly caramelizing the onions and using a blend of gruyere and Parmesan for the cheese sauce. Enjoy this copycat version at home!
Variations on Panera’s French Onion Soup
While the classic gruyere cheese topped version remains the signature recipe, Panera has introduced some variations on their famous French onion soup over the years:
- Roasted Turkey and Wild Rice Soup – This seasonal soup replaces the broth with a creamy wild rice base and adds roasted turkey, mushrooms, parsley, and thyme.
- Short Rib French Onion Soup – Made during the winter months with braised beef short ribs and caramelized onions in beef broth topped with gruyere cheese.
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup – Chunks of broccoli and carrots in a cheddar cheese infused creamy soup topped with cheddar chips.
- Modern Greek Veggie Soup with Quinoa – A lighter vegetarian take with tomatoes, spinach, quinoa, and Greek yogurt topped with feta cheese.
While Panera frequently adds new limited-time soups to the menu, the classic French onion remains the signature soup year-round.
Tips for Making Panera-Style French Onion Soup at Home
Here are some helpful tips for getting as close as possible to Panera’s French onion soup when making it yourself at home:
- Slowly cook the onions over medium-low heat until deeply caramelized – this adds maximum flavor.
- Use a combination of beef and chicken broth.
- Add a splash of sherry for complexity.
- Make the cheese sauce with a blend of gruyere, cream, and Parmesan.
- Gently heat the cheese sauce instead of boiling to keep it smooth.
- Finish the soup bowls with a broiler for the perfect melted, bubbling cheese crust.
- Garnish with fresh thyme for extra aroma.
- Allow the soup to sit for 5 minutes before serving so the flavors blend.
With sweet caramelized onions, rich broth, and an irresistible gruyere sauce, this copycat recipe will have you enjoying restaurant-quality French onion soup in your own kitchen.
Conclusion
Panera Bread’s signature French onion soup with its melted gruyere cheese sauce is one of their most beloved menu items. The soup features slowly cooked caramelized onions in a savory broth, topped with a secret recipe creamy gruyere sauce. While high in calories and fat due to the cheese, it also provides satisfying protein and flavor. Fans can order the classic soup year-round at Panera, purchase it frozen to heat at home, or try making a copycat recipe themselves. With some careful preparation and quality ingredients, you can recreate Panera’s signature French onion soup to enjoy anytime.