Panera Bread is often thought of as a healthy fast food restaurant. If you follow a vegan diet you might assume that Panera will have several options for you. Unfortunately, many of the menu items at Panera aren’t vegan-friendly. The good news is that you can customize many menu items to make them vegan.
Many of the salads can be customized to be vegan-friendly by omitting meat and dairy. Panera’s Ten Vegetable Soup is a solid vegan choice, as are many of their types of bread. Their desserts, including pastries, aren’t vegan-friendly. Panera’s sandwiches contain cheese and meat and wouldn’t have much substance if omitted, so they are best to be avoided.
It’s not obvious which menu items are vegan, especially when it comes to the bread. Read on to learn which menu items have hidden vegan ingredients and which items are vegan-friendly, including their ingredients.
Contents
Tips & Tricks for Ordering Vegan at Panera
- Sub quinoa for animal-based protein in salads.
- Omit cheese and Greek yogurt from salads to make them vegan-friendly.
- Ask if you can sub beans instead of meat for protein. It’s not an option on the website, but you may be able to do so in person.
- Make sure you choose vegan-friendly bread – not all of the bread and bagels are vegan (see list below!).
- Ask for a vegan-friendly dressing like olive oil and the Asian vinaigrette. Panera offers several dressings that are likely vegan, but the ingredients aren’t available on the website to verify.
Non-Vegan Foods to Avoid at Panera
- Any salad or sandwich with meat in it, including chicken, eggs, and bacon
- Mediterranean Veggie sandwich (contains honey)
- Green Goddess Dressing (contains eggs), Chile Lime Rojo Ranch (contains milk), Caesar dressing (contains anchovy, eggs)
- Breakfast sandwiches (all contain cheese, egg, and meat)
- Flatbread Pizza (crust contains butter; meat and cheese toppings)
- Egg soufflé
- Macaroni and cheese
- Cream-based soups and those with meat (e.g., chili)
- Cinnamon Crunch bagel (contains milk), Cinnamon Swirl Bagel (contains milk), Chocolate Chip Bagel (contains milk), other bagels with non-vegan ingredients like cheese
- Sprouted Grain Bagel Flat, White Whole Grain Bread, Tomato Basil Bread (contains honey)
- Brioche roll (contains egg and milk)
- Classic White Miche [bread] (contains milk)
- All cookies (contains butter and milk)
- All pastries and scones (contains butter and milk)
- All muffins (contains milk and eggs)
- All cream cheese spreads
Vegan Options at Panera
Breakfast
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries & Pecans
Ingredients:
- Cooked Steel Cut Oats (Water, Cooked Steel Cut Oat Groats [May Contain Traces Of Wheat, Soy And Mustard], Salt)
- Fresh Strawberries
- Oil Roasted Pecans (Pecans, Cottonseed Oil)
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping (Sugar, Cinnamon, Modified Corn Starch, Soybean Oil)
Salads
All salads require customization to be vegan.
1. Green Goddess Cobb Salad (omit the Green Goddess dressing, bacon, chicken, and eggs)
Ingredients:
- Greens Blend (Romaine Lettuce, Kale, Lettuce, Arugula)
- Avocado
- Red Grape Tomatoes
- Pickled Red Onions (Red Onions, Water, White Wine Vinegar, Sugar, White Distilled Vinegar, Sea Salt, Calcium Chloride)
2. Greek Salad (omit the feta cheese)
Ingredients:
- Romaine Lettuce
- Red Grape Tomatoes
- Greek Dressing (Soybean Oil, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Pomace Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt, Black Pepper, Dehydrated Garlic, Gum Acacia, Dehydrated Oregano, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Arabic Gum, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Dehydrated Tarragon, Citric Acid, Dehydrated Parsley, Dehydrated Rosemary, Dehydrated Thyme, Dehydrated Bay Leaves)
- Baby Pitted Kalamata Olives (Kalamata Olive, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Concentrated Grape Juice, Spices [Hops, Sage, Chamomile, Coriander, Anise, And Thyme])
- Sea Salt And Black Pepper Blend (Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Canola Oil)
3. Asian Sesame Salad (omit the chicken) – *may contain egg disclaimer
Ingredients:
- Romaine Lettuce
- Asian Sesame Vinaigrette Dressing (Water, Distilled Vinegar, Soybean Oil, Sugar, Sesame Oil, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Rebaudioside A [A Non-Nutritive Sweetener From Stevia], Rosemary Extract, Black Pepper, Dehydrated Onion, Dehydrated Parsley)
- Crispy Wonton Strips (Wheat Flour, Canola Oil, Salt [May Contain Egg*])
- Toasted Almonds
- Sesame Seeds
- Cilantro
4. Fuji Apple Salad (omit the chicken and gorgonzola cheese)
Ingredients:
- Greens Blend (Romaine Lettuce, Kale, Lettuce, Arugula)
- Red Grape Tomatoes
- White Balsamic With Apple Flavored Vinaigrette (Soybean Oil, Water, Sugar, Apple Juice Concentrate, White Balsamic Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Arabic Gum, Natural Apple Flavor, Gum Acacia, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Xanthan Gum, Dehydrated Onion, Garlic, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Ginger, Citric Acid)
- Red Onion
- Oil Roasted Pecans (Pecans, Cottonseed Oil)
- Apple Chips (Apples, Safflower, Sunflower Oil And/Or Canola Oil, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid [Vitamin C])
Main Dishes
1. Baja Bowl (omit the feta and yogurt)
Ingredients:
- Brown Rice & Quinoa Blend (Brown Rice Blend (Cooked Brown Rice [Water, Brown Rice, May Contain Soy, Corn, Wheat], Lime Juice, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper)
- Red And White Quinoa Blend (Cooked Red And White Quinoa [Water, Red Quinoa, White Quinoa, May Contain Mustard, Soy And Wheat], Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Cilantro
- Lime Juice (Lime Juice, Water)
- Black Bean And Corn Salsa (Adobo Black Bean & Corn Blend (Black Beans, Corn, Lime Juice, Canola Oil, Sea Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Spices (Chile Pepper, Dried Garlic, Smoked Paprika, Dried Onion, Cumin, Black Pepper), Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum)
- Pickled Red Onions (Red Onions, Water, White Wine Vinegar, Sugar, White Distilled Vinegar, Sea Salt, Calcium Chloride)
- Lime Juice (Lime Juice, Water)
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- Red Grape Tomatoes
- Salsa Verde (Salsa Verde [Canola Oil, Lime Juice, Water, Garlic, Jalapenos, Sea Salt, White Distilled Vinegar, Black Pepper, Xanthan Gum], Cilantro, Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
2. Mediterranean Bowl (omit the yogurt and feta cheese)
Ingredients:
- Brown Rice & Quinoa Blend (Brown Rice Blend (Cooked Brown Rice [Water, Brown Rice, May Contain Soy, Corn, Wheat], Lime Juice, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper)
- Red And White Quinoa Blend (Cooked Red And White Quinoa [Water, Red Quinoa, White Quinoa, May Contain Mustard, Soy And Wheat], Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Cilantro
- Lime Juice (Lime Juice, Water)
- Hummus (Cooked Chickpeas (Chickpeas, Water), Water, Ground Sesame Seeds, Canola Oil, Fermented Oregano And Flaxseed And Plum Extracts [Mold Inhibitor], Sea Salt, Dried Garlic, Citric Acid, Cumin)
- Red Grape Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Arugula
- Lemon Tahini Dressing (Water, Sesame Paste, Soybean Oil, Lemon Juice, Cucumber Juice, White Wine Vinegar, Salt, Distilled Vinegar, Garlic, Black Pepper, Xanthan Gum, Natural Lemon Oil Flavor)
- Baby Pitted Kalamata Olives (Kalamata Olive, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Concentrated Grape Juice, Spices [Hops, Sage, Chamomile, Coriander, Anise, And Thyme])
Bakery Items
1. Plain Bagel
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- Brown Sugar
- Salt
- Dough Improver (Malted Wheat Flour, Enriched Wheat Flour [Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Inactivated Yeast, Acerola Extract, Fungal Enzymes)
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
2. Everything Bagel
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- Brown Sugar
- Topping (Sesame Seed, Dried Onion, Poppy Seed, Salt, Dried Garlic)
- Salt
- Dough Improver (Malted Wheat Flour, Enriched Wheat Flour [Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Inactivated Yeast, Acerola Extract, Fungal Enzymes)
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
3. Blueberry Bagel
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- Blueberry Flavored Bites (Sugar, Enriched Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Blueberry Solids, Sunflower Oil, Wheat Starch, Dextrose, Colored With Fruit Juice, Natural Flavor, Sodium Bicarbonate)
- Brown Sugar
- Infused Dried Blueberries (Wild Blueberries, Cane Sugar, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Sunflower Oil)
- Salt, Dough Improver (Malted Wheat Flour, Enriched Wheat Flour [Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Inactivated Yeast, Acerola Extract, Fungal Enzymes)
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
4. Sesame Bagel
Ingredients:
- Sesame Bagel (Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- Brown Sugar
- Sesame Seeds
- Salt
- Dough Improver (Malted Wheat Flour, Enriched Wheat Flour [Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Inactivated Yeast, Acerola Extract, Fungal Enzymes)
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
5. French Baguette
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- Salt
- Dough Improver (Malted Barley Flour, Dextrose, Rye Flour, Sunflower Lecithin, Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Calcium Phosphate)
- Fungal Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
6. Classic Sourdough Loaf (& Sourdough Bread Bowl)
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- Salt
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
- Dough Improver (Ascorbic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Corn Starch)
7. Country Rustic Sourdough
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- Coarse Whole Wheat Flour
- Salt
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
- Dough Improver (Ascorbic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Corn Starch)
8. Black Pepper Focaccia
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- Olive Oil Blend (Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Canola Oil)
- Sprouted Grain Blend (Sprouted Wheat, Sprouted Spelt, Sprouted Rye, Sprouted Oats)
- Salt
- Bread Base (Enriched Pregelatinized Wheat Flour [Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Wheat Fiber, Wheat Gluten, Malted Wheat Flour, Acerola Extract, Microbial Enzymes)
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
- Sea Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
9. Artisan Ciabatta Loaf
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid)
- Water
- White Whole Wheat Flour
- Olive Oil Blend (Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Canola Oil)
- Salt
- Dough Improver (Wheat Gluten, Malted Wheat Flour, Deactivated Yeast, Microbial Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid)
- Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid)
Sides
1. Ten Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- Vegetable Stock (Water, Vegetable Base (Carrots, Celery, Onion, Tomato Paste, Corn Oil, Yeast Extract, Potato Flour, Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, White Pepper, Rosemary Extract))
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Salt, Calcium Chloride, And Citric Acid)
- Yellow And Red Bell Peppers
- Onions
- Corn
- Carrots
- Garbanzo Beans
- Spinach
- Corn Starch
- Poblano Peppers
- Carrot Puree
- Celery
- Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar)
- Tomato Concentrate
- Spelt
- Wheat Berries
- Sea Salt
- Tomato Paste (Water, Sun Dried Tomatoes)
- Garlic Puree
- Sprouted Short Grain Brown Rice
- Sprouted Red Fife
- Yeast Extract
- Chia Seed
- Lime Juice
- Basil
- Rice Wine Vinegar
- Lemon Peel (Lemon Peel, Water, Citric Acid)
- Dried Aleppo Chili Peppers
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Mustard Flour
- Bay Leaves
- Cumin
2. Chips
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Sunflower Oil
- Sea Salt
3. Fresh Fruit Cup
Ingredients:
- Fresh Honeydew Melon
- Fresh Red Seedless Grapes
- Fresh Cantaloupe
- Fresh Pineapple
4. Apple
5. Banana
Find a Panera Near You
Click here to find a Panera in your area.
Similar Restaurants to Panera
Related Questions
Are Panera salad dressings vegan?
Panera doesn’t provide the ingredients for all of its available dressings. The Asian Sesame vinaigrette is vegan, as is plain olive oil which is another vegan dressing option. The Greek Goddess, Caeser, and Chile Lime Rojo Ranch dressings are not vegan.
Does Panera have vegan baked goods?
Most of Panera’s bread is vegan, but there are a few types that contain honey, milk, and/or eggs. None of Panera’s desserts or muffins are vegan.
Are Panera bread bowls vegan?
The sourdough used in Panera’s bread bowls is vegan. Most of the soups used to fill the bread bowls aren’t vegan, except for the Ten Vegetable Soup.