Panera Bread White Balsamic Dressing Recipe

This Panera Bread White Balsamic Dressing is a smooth and tangy recipe, which uses crisp white balsamic vinegar and a hint of honey. It’s the perfect salad companion, ready in about 5 minutes.

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Panera Bread White Balsamic Dressing Ingredients

½ cup (120ml) extra virgin olive oil (mild flavor)
⅓ cup (80ml) white balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey (or agave syrup for vegan option)
1 tsp Dijon mustard (acts as an emulsifier)
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp dried basil or oregano (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Panera Bread White Balsamic Dressing Recipe

How To Make Panera Bread White Balsamic Dressing

To combine the base: In a medium bowl or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, add the white balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, pepper, and dried herbs (if using).
To emulsify the dressing: If using a bowl, whisk the base ingredients together vigorously while slowly streaming in the olive oil until the mixture becomes pale and thickened. If using a jar, add the oil, screw the lid on tight, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until fully combined.
To adjust the flavor: Taste the dressing using a lettuce leaf (dip it in). If it is too acidic, add a little more honey. If it tastes too oily, add a splash more vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice.
To let flavors meld: For the best taste, let the dressing sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow the dried herbs to hydrate and the flavors to marry.

Recipe Tips

Why use white balsamic: Unlike regular dark balsamic, white balsamic is cooked at a lower temperature to prevent caramelization. It has a cleaner, lighter, and slightly less sweet flavor that doesn’t turn your salad brown.
How to fix a separated dressing: Homemade vinaigrettes naturally separate over time. If this happens, simply give the jar a vigorous shake or whisk it briskly before pouring.
Choosing the right oil: Panera’s dressing is quite neutral. If your olive oil is very peppery or bitter, swap half of it for a neutral oil like grapeseed or canola oil to mimic the restaurant taste more closely.
How to make it creamy: For a creamier texture without dairy, you can blend the dressing in a high-speed blender for 20 seconds; this creates a temporary but stable emulsion that is thicker than hand-whisking.

What To Serve With Panera Bread White Balsamic Dressing

This versatile vinaigrette is the signature dressing for several Panera classics.

Fuji Apple Salad: The most famous pairing, with chicken, apple chips, and pecans.
Strawberry Poppyseed Salad: A great alternative dressing for fruit-based salads.
Grilled Chicken Marinade: The acidity makes it a perfect tenderizer for poultry.
Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle over warm asparagus or roasted beets.

How To Store Panera Bread White Balsamic Dressing

Refrigerate: Store the dressing in a sealed jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The olive oil may solidify slightly in the cold; simply let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes and shake before using.
Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze vinaigrettes as the emulsion will break permanently upon thawing.

Panera Bread White Balsamic Dressing Nutrition Facts

Calories: 130kcal
Protein: 0g
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fat: 14g
Saturates: 2g
Sugar: 3g
Salt: 0.1g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (2 tablespoons) and may vary based on oil used.

FAQs

Can I use regular balsamic vinegar?

You can, but the flavor profile will be heavier, sweeter, and more “caramel-like,” and it will turn your salad ingredients dark brown. It won’t taste like the Panera version, but it will still be edible.

Is this dressing gluten-free?

Yes, the ingredients typically used (oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, spices) are naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your Dijon mustard doesn’t contain any hidden wheat thickeners.

Why does my dressing taste bitter?

This is usually due to the olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil can have a bitter finish. To fix it, add a pinch more salt and honey, or next time use a “light” olive oil or sunflower oil.