How you can Order Wholesome, Plant-Primarily based Meals at Meat-Heavy Chain Panera Bread

Whereas we regularly want to choose a vegan restaurant over a non-vegan chain, typically, the latter is probably the most handy selection—particularly for those who’re eating with a number of different individuals who might have completely different dietary necessities and preferences. Fortunately, loads of chains have vegan choices now, and Panera isn’t any exception. The subsequent time you’re at Panera—both by selection or by circumstance—search for these vegan objects.

Soar to the objects

How you can order vegan at Panera 

Panera does have some vegan choices, however it’s removed from the perfect place for plant-based diners. Whereas it has pledged to extend its vegan-friendly choices prior to now, the chain’s current menu overhaul doesn’t embody any new plant-based choices. As a substitute, the chain introduced that it has chosen so as to add 4 new sandwiches, 4 new salads, and one mac and cheese, all of that are loaded with animal merchandise like rooster, bacon, and dairy. 

Panera Bread

“We’re getting again to Panera at its greatest with these menu updates which can be centered utterly on our visitors and what they love about us,” Alicia Mowder, SVP of Product Technique & Insights, Panera Bread, stated in a press release concerning the adjustments. It appears unlikely that new plant-forward choices can be launched quickly, because the chain has labeled the current menu overhaul as a logo of the “new period at Panera.”

All of that stated, there are nonetheless some meat-free choices at Panera. The chain provides a “Plant Primarily based” menu, but it surely’s vital to notice that these things are vegetarian and never essentially vegan. Whereas the objects listed under are vegan, Panera cautions that components might range by location. When unsure, ask your cashier to learn the ingredient record for you (all areas are outfitted with an enormous binder that features each single merchandise on their menu). That is notably useful when the café provides limited-time specials that the workers might not but be aware of.

What’s vegan at Panera Bread?

Panera is a self-proclaimed bakery at coronary heart, so it will be unthinkable to not order the bread. With the brand new menu overhaul, lots of the chain’s vegan-friendly bagels are now not out there, however plant-based eaters can nonetheless depend on the plain and all the things bagels together with a number of of the freshly baked breads. Avoid the white and honey wheat (they include dairy), however be at liberty to fill your bread basket with the nation, sourdough, French baguette, black pepper focaccia, and ciabatta choices. 

In case you had been questioning, the long-lasting Panera bread bowl is sourdough, so you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in your edible serving ware. Sadly, not one of the candy treats are vegan; nonetheless, the Metal Minimize Oatmeal with Strawberries and Pecans and the fruit cup are technically a part of the bakery menu, providing a naturally candy possibility for these seeking breakfast earlier than 10:30 a.m.

@stuffbeneats/Instagram

2 Vegan salads 

Panera’s salads don’t come vegan as a normal, although you’ll be able to actually customise them. Right here’s hack it: ask for no meat, cheese, or egg, and substitute these things with avocado (they’ll do it without spending a dime). You can too bulk up your salad by choosing the customise button on-line and including a medley of crispy, recent, or crunchy toppings like pickled pink onions, bean corn salsa, crispy carrots, apple chips, pecans, and extra.

Lastly, be cautious of the dressings. The balsamic, poppyseed, Fuji apple, Asian, and Greek dressings are all protected. Truly, we purchase the poppyseed dressing by the bottle at Goal—it’s that good. Professional tip: if you would like a smaller-sized salad, ask for a child’s model with the modifications talked about above. Alternatively, for those who ask properly, you will get a full-sized salad served in a bread bowl. We don’t know why different eating places haven’t caught on to this idea! 

@moving_vegan/Instagram

3 Vegan sandwiches 

There’s one vegan sandwich possibility at Panera—with a modification. Order the Mediterranean Veggie with out feta and ask for it on vegan-friendly bread (listed above). We notably take pleasure in this handhold on ciabatta or black pepper focaccia. Even with out the cheese, it’s a scrumptious sandwich full of peppadew peppers, lettuce, tomato, cumbers, hummus, and pink onions. Order a kid-sized salad or a cup of recent fruit to pair together with your sandwich.

Panera

4 Vegan drinks 

Sadly, the smoothies at Panera are made with dairy-based Greek yogurt, making them unsuitable for vegan diets. For a fruity, refreshing blended drink, the chain’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade is bound to fulfill. The various flavored lemonades or fruity iced teas are additionally vegan-friendly. Strawberry Lemon Mint Charged Lemonade, Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade, and Ardour Papaya Iced Inexperienced Tea are all notably intriguing.

Danielle Keith

5 Vegan soups

Now and again the chain will supply a vegan-friendly particular, however because the Ten Vegetable soup was faraway from the everlasting menu, don’t depend on this part for a vegan possibility. For now, all of Panera’s common soup choices include both meat or dairy. As a substitute, do that recipe for Vegan Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup the following time your cravings hit.

Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews in addition to a author and runner dwelling in Orange County, CA.