Whereas we frequently desire to choose a vegan restaurant over a non-vegan chain, generally, the latter is probably the most handy selection—particularly in case you’re eating with a number of different individuals who might have totally different dietary necessities and preferences. Fortunately, loads of chains have vegan choices now, and Panera is not any exception. The following time you’re at Panera—both by selection or by circumstance—search for these vegan gadgets.
Tips on how to order vegan at Panera
Vegans can discover an excellent meal at this fast-casual bistro, however there are some things to look out for when attempting to keep away from hidden animal substances.
Firstly, the chain affords a “Plant Based mostly” menu, however these things are vegetarian, not essentially vegan. Whereas the gadgets listed beneath are vegan, Panera cautions that substances might range by location. When unsure, ask your cashier to learn the ingredient checklist 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 affords limited-time specials that the employees might not but be conversant in.
What’s vegan at Panera?
Whether or not you customise your individual bowl or go for a easy salad modification, there’s one rule: all the time settle for a aspect of bread. It’s vegan, and it’s what this chain excels at.
Panera
1 Vegan breads and baked items
Panera is a self-proclaimed bakery at coronary heart, so it might be unthinkable to not order the bread. Most of the bagels (plain, all the things, blueberry, sesame, entire grain, and sprouted grain flat) are vegan, together with a number of of the freshly baked breads. Keep away from the white and honey wheat (they comprise dairy), however be at liberty to fill your bread basket with the nation, entire grain, rye, sourdough, french baguette, black pepper focaccia, sprouted grain roll, and ciabatta choices.
In case you had been questioning, the long-lasting Panera bread bowl is sourdough, so you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in your edible serving ware. Sadly, not one of the candy treats are vegan; nonetheless, the Metal Lower Oatmeal with Strawberries and Pecans and the fruit cup are technically a part of the bakery menu, providing a naturally candy choice for these seeking breakfast earlier than 10:30 a.m.
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2 Vegan salads
Panera’s salads don’t come vegan as a typical, although you possibly can actually customise them. Right here’s the best way to hack it: ask for no meat, cheese, or egg, and substitute these things with avocado (they’ll do it free of charge). You may as well bulk up your salad by deciding on the customise button on-line and including a medley of crispy, recent, or crunchy toppings like pickled crimson 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 secure. Truly, we purchase the poppyseed dressing by the bottle at Goal—it’s that good. Professional tip: in order for you a smaller-sized salad, ask for a child’s model with the modifications talked about above. Alternatively, in case you ask properly, you may 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 choice 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 filled with peppadew peppers, lettuce, tomato, cumbers, hummus, and crimson onions. Order a kid-sized salad or a cup of recent fruit to pair together with your sandwich.
@madcityvegan/Instagram
4 Vegan bowls
Consider a vegan-friendly Panera bowl as a bean and grain-heavy salad. All could be ordered plant-based with just a few modifications. For the Mediterranean Bowl, take away the feta and Greek yogurt and request avocado as a substitute. The South-of-the-border Baja Bowl additionally incorporates feta and Greek yogurt, however minus these two substances, it’s a stellar plant-based choice made with cilantro lime brown rice, quinoa, avocado, black bean and corn salsa, salsa verde, grape tomatoes, and combined greens. You’ll should control these, nonetheless, as based on one current viral TikTok from an worker the Baja and Mediterranean bowls might be lower from the menu very quickly. That stated, they’re nonetheless displaying on the menu on the time of writing.
Panera
5 Vegan drinks
In search of a nutritious drink? Good factor Panera affords just a few vegan smoothies. The Peach & Blueberry with Almondmilk and the Inexperienced Ardour Smoothie are each vegan. Every is made with a mix of fruit purées, juice concentrates, and ice. Keep away from the opposite fruity smoothie choices, as they comprise Greek yogurt. For a pick-me-up, pair any of the black coffees (darkish roast, hazelnut, gentle roast) with almond milk or give the Madagascar Vanilla Almond Chilly Brew a strive (however observe that each one chilly brews might also be lower quickly, as per the TikTok leak).
Keep away from the lattes—even with almond milk they comprise hidden dairy that may’t be swapped out. For a candy and refreshing accompaniment to your meal, select one of many many flavored lemonades or fruity iced teas. Strawberry Lemon Mint Lemonade, Mango Yuzu Citrus Lemonade, and Ardour Papaya Iced Inexperienced Tea are all notably intriguing.
Danielle Keith
6 Vegan soups
Once in a while the chain will supply a vegan-friendly particular, however for the reason that Ten Vegetable soup was faraway from the everlasting menu, don’t depend on this part for a vegan choice (or perhaps a meat-free choice, as based on the TikTok, the French Onion Soup is getting the chop, too). For now, all of Panera’s common soup choices comprise both meat or dairy. As an alternative, do this recipe for Vegan Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup the following time your cravings hit.
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Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews in addition to a author and runner dwelling in Orange County, CA.
