Panera Bread Poppyseed Dressing Recipe

Panera Bread Poppyseed Dressing is a vibrant, citrus-based vinaigrette that perfectly balances sweet notes with a tangy, fruity acidity. Ideally the dressing should be prepared with white balsamic vinegar to achieve that specific mellow sweetness and clear, golden color that characterizes the original bakery-cafe version.

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Panera Bread Poppyseed Dressing Recipe Ingredients

• One half cup sugar (or honey for a more natural sweetness)
• One half cup white balsamic vinegar
• One quarter cup light-flavored oil (such as canola or light olive oil)
• Two tablespoons orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
• One tablespoon lemon juice
• One tablespoon finely grated yellow onion (or one half teaspoon onion powder)
• One half teaspoon dry ground mustard
• One half teaspoon salt
• One tablespoon poppy seeds

How To Make Panera Bread Poppyseed Dressing Recipe

1. Prepare the Onion: If using a fresh onion, grate it over a small bowl using the finest side of a box grater to create a watery pulp. You only want the juice and the very fine bits of onion to ensure the dressing remains smooth.
2. Combine Base Ingredients: In a blender or a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, white balsamic vinegar, orange juice, lemon juice, grated onion, dry mustard, and salt.
3. Blend and Emulsify: If using a blender, turn it to a low setting and gradually pour in the oil in a thin, steady stream while the motor is running. If mixing by hand, whisk the ingredients vigorously while slowly drizzling in the oil to create a stable emulsion.
4. Sweetness Check: Taste the mixture. If the vinegar is too sharp, add one extra tablespoon of sugar; if it is too sweet, add an extra teaspoon of lemon juice.
5. Add the Seeds: Stir in the poppy seeds by hand using a spoon. Do not blend the poppy seeds, as this can break them open and turn the dressing a greyish color.
6. Chill: Pour the dressing into a glass jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour. This resting period allows the flavors of the onion and citrus to fully integrate with the vinegar.

Recipe Tips

• White Balsamic is Key: Do not substitute regular dark balsamic vinegar, as it will make the dressing look muddy and add an earthy flavor that doesn’t fit the “fresca” profile of this recipe. White wine vinegar is an acceptable substitute if white balsamic is unavailable.
• Oil Selection: Use a neutral oil with no distinct flavor. Extra virgin olive oil is too peppery for this recipe and will overshadow the delicate orange and poppyseed notes.
• Onion Juice Trick: If you dislike the texture of raw onion, you can squeeze the grated onion pulp through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to extract only the juice.
• Stable Emulsion: The mustard acts as an emulsifier. Even if you don’t like the taste of mustard, do not omit the half teaspoon of ground mustard, as it helps the oil and vinegar stay together.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Poppyseed Dressing

Dressing accompaniments are fresh, fruity additions frequently served to highlight the sweet and zesty notes of the poppyseed infusion. Ideally the salad should include a mix of fresh strawberries, blueberries, and mandarin oranges to provide a juicy, colorful base that complements the citrus in the dressing.

• Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad (with grilled chicken and pecans)
• A fresh fruit platter featuring melon and pineapple
• A light spinach salad with toasted almonds and feta cheese
• Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad (served on the side)

How To Store Panera Bread Poppyseed Dressing

• Refrigerate: Store the dressing in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Shake Before Use: Since this is a vinaigrette, it is natural for the oil and vinegar to separate over time. Give the jar a vigorous shake for ten seconds before every use to re-emulsify the ingredients.
• Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this dressing. The emulsion will break upon thawing, and the texture of the poppy seeds may become unpleasantly soft.

Panera Bread Poppyseed Dressing Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 85 kcal (per two-tablespoon serving)
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Protein: 0g
• Fat: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 9g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on eight servings.

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