What Is Panera Signature Sauce (In-depth Review in 2023)
Panera Bread is a popular chain of cafes known for their freshly baked breads, pastries, and sandwiches. But there’s another reason why customers keep coming back: panera signature sauce. This sauce has become a staple at the chain’s cafes and has gained a following of its own. It’s a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that complements a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the story behind Panera’s signature sauce, its ingredients, and its nutritional value. We’ll also provide some tips on how to use the sauce in your own cooking, as well as share some mouth-watering recipes that feature this beloved condiment. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Panera Bread or just curious about their signature sauce, this blog post is for you. So sit back, relax, and let’s delve into the world of Panera signature sauce.
What Is Panera Signature Sauce
If you’ve ever taken a bite of a Panera sandwich or salad, chances are you’ve tasted the magic that is their signature sauce.
But what exactly is this Panera Signature Sauce?
Panera Signature Sauce is a mayonnaise based sauce that’s both creamy and tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of heat to balance out any dish. Panera’s signature sauce has a reddish-brown color and a smooth texture with a thick and creamy consistency. It is not runny or watery but rather spreads easily, making it a perfect condiment for sandwiches, wraps, and salads. When poured, it flows slowly and can coat the back of a spoon without dripping off. Overall, its texture is a perfect balance between creamy and thick, making it easy to use and adding a delicious layer of flavor to your favorite dishes.
This sauce is a culinary masterpiece, and it’s no surprise that it has a cult following among Panera Bread fans. But what is in this mysterious sauce that makes it so irresistible?
Panera Bread signature sauce was developed by the chain’s culinary team, who spent months experimenting with different ingredients and flavor profiles to create the perfect condiment. According to Panera’s website, the team was inspired by a classic French sauce called “sauce remoulade,” which typically includes mayonnaise, mustard, and other seasonings. They set out to create a version of this sauce that would complement the chain’s sandwiches and salads, and after many trials and taste tests, they finally landed on the perfect recipe.
Over time, the recipe for Panera signature sauce has evolved as the culinary team continues to tweak and refine it. In fact, the sauce has gone through several iterations since it was first introduced in the early 2000s. In the early days, the sauce was made with a simple combination of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice. However, as Panera’s menu expanded and their culinary team became more adventurous, they began experimenting with new ingredients and flavors.
One of the most notable changes to the recipe occurred in 2016, when Panera began phasing out artificial ingredients from their menu. As part of this effort, they reformulated their signature sauce to remove artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors. The new recipe included smoked paprika and garlic powder, which gave the sauce a deeper, smokier flavor profile.
What is Panera signature sauce made of?
Panera’s signature sauce is a culinary masterpiece that’s made with a combination of high-quality ingredients. The sauce starts with a creamy base of mayonnaise, which provides the perfect texture for spreading or dipping. To add a touch of smokiness and depth, the sauce is flavored with smoked paprika, a rich and flavorful spice that’s become a favorite of chefs and home cooks alike. The garlic powder adds a kick of savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the tangy lemon juice, which brightens up the sauce and adds a touch of acidity.
But that’s not all – Panera’s culinary team has also included a few secret ingredients that give the sauce its unique flavor profile. While the exact ingredients remain a mystery, it’s clear that they play a crucial role in making the sauce so delicious. Perhaps it’s a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat, or a dash of honey for sweetness.
The sauce also includes soybean oil and distilled vinegar, which provide a smooth and tangy base. Tomato paste and sugar are added to give the sauce a hint of sweetness and a rich, tomato flavor. The egg yolk and cornstarch work together to create a thick, creamy texture that’s perfect for spreading or dipping.
One of the most interesting ingredients in the sauce is the green olive puree, which is made from green olives, water, distilled vinegar, salt, and lactic acid. This gives the sauce a briny, slightly salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. The red wine vinegar, salt, and green bell pepper puree also add a touch of acidity and depth.
To round out the flavor profile, Panera’s culinary team has included a blend of spices and seasonings, including allspice, dried parsley, black pepper, dried celery seed, cinnamon, dried ginger, and nutmeg. These spices give the sauce a warm, earthy flavor that’s balanced by the garlic and onion, which add a pungent, savory kick. Lactic acid and paprika are also included for their unique flavor and color-enhancing properties.
What Menu Items Come With Panera Signature Sauce at Panera Bread?
Panera Bread offers a variety of menu items that come with their signature sauce. Here are a few of the most popular items:
- Frontega Chicken Panini: This sandwich features grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, red onions, and tomatoes on focaccia bread with Panera’s signature sauce.
- BBQ Chicken Salad: This salad is made with mixed greens, grilled chicken, corn, black beans, tortilla strips, and cheddar cheese. It is served with BBQ ranch dressing, which is a combination of Panera’s signature sauce and ranch dressing.
- Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich: This sandwich includes smoked turkey breast, bacon, Gouda cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Panera’s signature sauce on tomato basil bread.
- Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt: This sandwich is made with grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, and Gouda cheese on focaccia bread with Panera’s signature sauce and chipotle mayo.
- Signature Mac & Cheese: This classic mac and cheese dish is made with tender shell pasta in a creamy blend of white Vermont cheddar cheese, seasoned with Panera’s signature sauce.
What Does Panera Signature Sauce Taste Like?
Panera’s signature sauce is a blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that come together to create a unique taste. The sauce has a creamy texture and a rich, bold flavor that pairs well with a variety of dishes. It has notes of tomato, vinegar, and mustard, along with hints of allspice, cinnamon, and other spices. Overall, the flavor profile of the signature sauce is complex and well-balanced, adding depth and dimension to the dishes it accompanies.
Recipes Featuring Panera’s Signature Sauce
Here are three delicious recipes that feature Panera’s signature sauce as a main ingredient:
1. Signature Sauce Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
– 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
– 1/2 cup Panera signature sauce
– 1/4 cup diced celery
– 1/4 cup diced red onion
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: lettuce leaves, croissants, or bread for serving
Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, signature sauce, celery, and red onion.
2. Mix until well combined and the chicken is coated with the sauce.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least an hour.
5. Serve the chicken salad on a bed of lettuce leaves or between croissants or bread.
2. Signature Sauce Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
– 8 oz. rotini pasta
– 1/2 cup Panera signature sauce
– 1/4 cup diced red onion
– 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
– 1/4 cup diced black olives
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions and let it cool.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, signature sauce, red onion, green bell pepper, and black olives.
3. Mix until well combined and the pasta is coated with the sauce.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour.
6. Serve the pasta salad chilled.
3. Signature Sauce Veggie Dip
Ingredients:
– 1 cup sour cream
– 1/4 cup Panera signature sauce
– 1/4 cup diced red onion
– 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
– 1/4 cup diced cucumber
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and signature sauce.
2. Mix until well combined.
3. Add the red onion, green bell pepper, and cucumber to the mixture and stir to combine.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate the veggie dip for at least an hour.
6. Serve the veggie dip chilled with your favorite vegetables.
Enjoy these delicious recipes featuring Panera’s signature sauce!
Ending Notes
Panera signature sauce is a versatile and delicious condiment that adds a unique flavor to a variety of dishes. From the Turkey Bravo sandwich to chicken salad, pasta salad, and veggie dip, there are endless possibilities for incorporating this tasty sauce into your meals. With its blend of spices and savory ingredients, Panera’s signature sauce is a must-try for anyone who loves bold flavors. So why not grab a bottle the next time you visit Panera Bread?