It can be hard eating out when you’re on a vegan diet. Restaurants sneak in all sorts of extras you would never know about unless you poured through online ingredients lists for every restaurant. But who really has time for that? Whether you went vegan because you love animals or you just prefer to eat a cleaner diet, we found some plant-based, vegan-friendly food offerings from Panera are 100% safe, along with some offerings you should surprisingly shy away from.
Also see, 9 vegan-friendly foods you can order at Chick-fil-A.
Breads
The Farmstyle XL, Country Rustic, Artisan Ciabatta, Sea Salt Focaccia, French Baguette (which is often offered as a side), and Sourdough are all suitable vegan bread choices. Steer clear of the white and honey wheat breads. They sound innocent enough, but Panera sneaks butter, eggs and milk into these loaves.
Pastries
Unfortunately, not a single pastry at Panera is vegan. Occasionally, seasonal offerings are unveiled suitable for vegans, but nothing on the everyday menu.
Bagels
Plain, Sesame, Cranberry Walnut, Blueberry, Sprouted grain bagel flat, and the Everything Bagel are all vegan-friendly bagel options. Obviously, cream cheese is off the table, but peanut butter and jelly are a great way for vegans to add some spread.
Smoothie
Peach and Blueberry Smoothie with Almond Milk
This sweet smoothie has peaches, mango puree, almond milk, white grapes, passion fruit juice, and fresh blueberries. Nothing to hide from here!
Green Passion Smoothie
A vegan-friendly blend of greens, mangos, peaches, white grape juice, passionfruit juice, and ice.
Breakfast
Breakfast sandwiches can be made vegan by asking for no egg whites and no cheese. But if you’re looking for something directly off the menu, go for the steel cut oat bowls.
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries and Pecans
Hearty steel cut oats topped with fresh strawberries and pecans. The name says it all, and best of all, vegans can order it without having to customize it.
Soups
The black bean soup is 100% vegan without any adaptations. Also, when it comes to soups, note that even though it might sounds like a safe bet, beware the vegetable soup with pesto though, since it contains romano cheese.
Salads
Most salads at Panera contain chicken and/or cheese, but you can request any one of them to without. Little known fact — you can even substitute the chicken with avocado for free.
Modern Greek Salad with Quinoa
This light and refreshing salad is made with a healthy and tasty blend of kale, romaine, cucumber, quinoa, almonds, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, and more. Ask the cashier to hold the feta.
Fuji Apple Salad
This classic Panera salad has a mouthwatering mix of greens, tomatoes, pecans, apple chips and white balsamic Fuji apple vinaigrette. Be sure to hold the chicken and gorgonzola.
Bowls
Vegan Lentil Quinoa Broth Bowl
Yes, it’s even labeled vegan on the menu! It’s a blend of soy-miso broth, quinoa, lentils, tomato sofrito, kale and more.
Soba Noodle Broth Bowl with Edamame
It’s not labeled vegan, like the bowl above, but it’s made from the same vegan broth. This bowl has soba buckwheat noodles, napa cabbage, fire-roasted edamame, and sesame seeds.
Sandwiches
Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
This hearty sandwich is packed with fresh veggies including lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, basil, jalapeños, and sweet peppadew peppers, and cilantro jalapeño hummus. Just hold the feta and order it on Sourdough instead.
Drinks
The lattes and frozen drinks usually contain some type of dairy. You can, of course, go with the tea, coffee, fountain drinks, and delicious iced tea.
Also see, Vegan crock pot apple cinnamon oatmeal.