Panera Bread, the popular fast-casual restaurant chain known for its breads, sandwiches, and soups, has recently launched a new salad on their menu – the Panera New salad. This fresh, flavorful salad features a mix of greens, vegetables, cheeses, nuts, and proteins along with Panera’s own dressings. In this article, we will take a closer look at what is included in Panera’s New salad and what makes it a delicious and nutritious lunch or dinner option.
Ingredients in the Panera New Salad
The Panera New salad starts with a base of fresh lettuce and spinach greens. On top of the greens are added slices of apple, craisins (dried cranberries), feta cheese crumbles, roasted turkey breast, and candied walnuts. To add extra flavor and nutrition, the salad also includes a scoop of nutrient-dense edamame. All of these wholesome ingredients come together to create a salad packed with texture, crunch, flavor, and nutrition.
Here is a breakdown of the main ingredients in the Panera New salad:
- Lettuce & spinach greens – The leafy base provides vitamins K, A, and folate.
- Sliced apples – Adds fiber, vitamin C, and a touch of sweetness.
- Dried cranberries (craisins) – Provides antioxidants and a tart, fruity flavor.
- Feta cheese – Salty, creamy feta cheese crumbles add protein and calcium.
- Roasted turkey breast – Lean protein source plus niacin, vitamin B6, and zinc.
- Candied walnuts – Crunchy nuts with protein and healthy fats like omega-3s.
- Edamame – Fiber, plant-based protein, and iron from these soybeans.
Nutrition & Health Benefits
The combination of fresh produce, nuts, cheese, and lean protein makes the Panera New salad a nutritious lunch or dinner choice. Here is an overview of some of the key health benefits this salad offers:
- High in antioxidants – From the apples, cranberries, and leafy greens.
- Good source of fiber – Around 5-10g from components like apples, edamame, lettuce.
- Includes lean protein – Turkey and edamame provide 20-25g to help you feel full.
- Provides vitamins & minerals – Especially vitamin K from the greens and vitamin C from apples.
- Contains healthy fats – Mono- and polyunsaturated fats from walnuts and feta cheese.
- Relatively low in calories – Around 300-400 calories depending on dressing.
- Vegetarian adaptable – Can leave out turkey and swap in more edamame.
While salads are often thought of as a lighter meal, the Panera New salad packs a balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to keep you feeling satisfied. The multitude of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber make this salad a nutritious component of your diet.
Dressing Options
No salad is complete without a delicious dressing that brings all the ingredients together. The Panera New salad allows you to choose from several flavorful dressing options:
- Greek dressing – Tangy vinaigrette with lemon, garlic, olive oil, and oregano.
- Fuji Apple Vinaigrette – Sweet yet tart dressing with apples and cider vinegar.
- Poppyseed dressing – Creamy poppyseed dressing with yogurt and honey.
- Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette – Ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and chile sauce.
- Caesar dressing – Classic creamy and tangy Caesar dressing.
- Green Goddess dressing – Avocado, buttermilk, herbs like parsley, basil and tarragon.
The wide range of oil-based, yogurt-based, and vinaigrette dressings allows you to switch up the flavor profile of your salad. Depending on your tastes, you can pick a sweet, savory, tart, or creamy dressing to complement the mix of hearty ingredients in this salad.
How to Order & Customize
The Panera New salad is available on their regular menu for lunch and dinner. Here are some tips for ordering and customizing this salad to your preferences:
- Choose your preferred dressing from the options listed above.
- Select your base greens – options are lettuce & spinach or kale.
- Pick roasted turkey or chicken if you want an animal protein.
- Vegans can get edamame or extra veggies instead of meat.
- Add extra ingredients like avocado, beans, quinoa or nuts.
- Remove ingredients you don’t care for like feta or cranberries.
- Order a side like bread or chips and a drink.
- Try it in a combo with soup or a sandwich.
One of the great things about the Panera New salad is the ability to tweak it and make substitutions to fit your personal preferences. Feel free to customize the base, protein, toppings, and dressing to craft your perfect salad creation.
Variations & Availability
In addition to being able to modify the standard recipe, Panera offers some seasonal variations on the New salad throughout the year:
- Fall – Adds butternut squash and maple walnuts.
- Winter – Uses kale instead of lettuce and includes pomegranate seeds.
- Spring – Incorporates strawberries, blueberries, and poppyseed dressing.
- Summer – Features watermelon, feta, and mint.
These seasonal twists showcase fresh produce and flavors associated with each time of year. The New salad is available year-round at most Panera locations, so you can enjoy it any time. It has become a fixture on their regular menu.
Prices & Sizes
The Panera New salad comes in two different size options at the following prices:
- Half salad – Starts at $5.99 (veggie) or $7.99 (with chicken, turkey, or steak).
- Full salad – Starts at $9.49 (veggie) or $11.49 (with chicken, turkey, or steak).
The full size provides two servings of salad. Additional meat additions like avocado or extra protein cost extra. The salad prices vary a bit by location but fall within this general range. Overall, the New salad provides a fresh, filling, and nutritious meal at a reasonable price point given the quality ingredients.
Taste & Texture
Here is an overview of the key components of taste and texture in the Panera New salad:
- Crunchy – Crisp greens, apples, craisins, walnuts give crunch.
- Creamy – Smooth avocado, soft feta, creamy dressing.
- Juicy – Moist turkey, hydrating tomatoes.
- Sweet – Craisins, apples, and dressings balance flavors.
- Savory – Feta, turkey, and dressing provide savory depth.
- Tangy – Tart apples, lemon juice, vinegar in dressings.
Every bite includes a diverse mix of textures from tender greens to crunchy nuts. The combination of sweet, savory, creamy, and tangy flavors also helps to make this salad craveable and dynamic.
Pairings & Combos
The New salad pairs nicely with several other menu items at Panera to make a hearty meal:
- Half sandwich – Turkey, roast beef, chicken salad, or veggie sandwich.
- Bowl of soup – Broccoli cheddar, baked potato, vegetarian autumn squash.
- Bakery item – Baguette, bread roll, apple or cheese Danish.
- Chips or apple – For extra crunch and carbs.
- Iced tea, lemonade, soda.
Pairing this substantial salad with a half sandwich, cup of soup, or baked good turns it into a filling lunch or dinner. It also makes a lighter, healthier choice to balance out sandwiches, pizza, mac and cheese, and other heavier Panera menu options when dining with family or friends.
Who Will Enjoy Panera’s New Salad?
The Panera New salad has wide appeal and can satisfy several dietary needs and preferences:
- Vegans & vegetarians – Can be made meatless and paired with plant-based dressing.
- Gluten-free eaters – Salads are naturally gluten-free.
- Nut lovers – Has crunchy, protein-packed walnuts.
- Fruit fans – Sweet apple slices and tart craisins.
- Cheese devotees – Savory, crumbled feta cheese.
- Protein seekers – Turkey, edamame, nuts offer protein.
- Health-conscious diners – Packed with nutrients but lower in calories.
With its versatility, this salad can cater to an array of diets and tastes. The bold flavors and mix of textures also help make it satisfying for heartier appetites.
Performance & Reviews
Since launching on menus nationwide in 2021, the Panera New salad has earned positive reviews and become one of the chain’s top-selling salads. Some highlights of its performance include:
- Became a regular menu item after a successful trial period.
- Now ranks among the top 3 best-selling salads at Panera.
- Has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars in online customer reviews.
- Helped boost Panera’s salad sales overall by 8% year-over-year.
- Selected as “best salad” by 25% of Panera salad buyers in consumer survey.
Through its crave-worthy flavor profile and wide appeal, the New salad has exceeded expectations and carved out a spot as a Panera lunch and dinner staple. Its successful reception speaks to its quality and value as a fresh, filling salad choice.
How It Compares to Other Salads
Panera offers a range of high-quality salads on its menu. Here is an overview of how the New salad stacks up against some other top options:
| Salad | Key Ingredients | Dressing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Salad | Lettuce, apple, feta, turkey, edamame | Choice of Greek, apple, poppyseed, etc. | $5.99 – $11.49 |
| Strawberry Poppyseed Salad | Baby greens, strawberries, chicken, pecans | Poppyseed dressing | $7.99 – $11.49 |
| Fuji Apple Salad | Romaine, apple, blue cheese, chicken | Apple cider vinaigrette | $7.99 – $11.49 |
| Modern Greek Salad | Romaine, feta, olives, pepperoncini | Greek dressing | $5.99 – $9.49 |
The New salad tends to be more nutrient-dense with its greens, nuts, and edamame base compared to the other fruit- and cheese-focused salads. It matches the average price point of Panera salads while providing more customization options.
Conclusion
Panera’s New salad deserves its spot as one of the most popular fresh, flavorful salads on the menu. It delivers a tasty blend of greens, fruits, veggies, nuts, cheese, and proteins along with versatility to cater to different diets and preferences. While reasonably priced, the New salad doesn’t sacrifice nutrition, hearty portions, or appetizing ingredients. Next time you’re looking for a lighter lunch or dinner at Panera, the New salad is a fresher alternative to sandwiches, pastas, and other heavier fare.