Most Popular Panera Salads
Some Panera salads are more popular because they offer strong flavor and good balance.
Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken
Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken is one of the best picks for protein. It has chicken, avocado, bacon, egg, and fresh vegetables.
Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
Fuji Apple Chicken Salad is best for people who like sweet and salty flavor. It usually includes chicken, greens, apple chips, pecans, cheese, and vinaigrette.
Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad
Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad is a lighter choice. It usually includes chicken, fruit, pecans, greens, and poppyseed dressing.
Asian Sesame Chicken Salad
Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is good if you like crunch. It includes chicken, greens, wonton strips, sesame, almonds, and sesame vinaigrette.
Greek Salad
Greek Salad can work well if you want a salad without chicken. Check the dressing, cheese, and toppings before ordering if you follow a strict diet.
Best Panera Salads by Need
| Need | Best Salad | Calories | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower calories | Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad | 410 | $13.09 |
| More protein | Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken | 580 | $13.09 |
| Sweet and savory taste | Fuji Apple Chicken Salad | 710 | $12.19 |
| Classic choice | Caesar Salad | 560 | $9.39 |
| Filling meal | Steakhouse Ranch Salad | 860 | $13.29 |
| Salad without chicken | Greek Salad | 630 | $9.39 |
| Crunchy salad | Asian Sesame Chicken Salad | 530 | $12.19 |
Best Panera Salads for Different Customers
Different people order salads for different reasons. Here is a simple way to choose.
For health-conscious customers
Choose Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad if you want fewer calories. Choose Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken if you want more protein.
For busy office workers
Choose a salad that is easy to order and filling. Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken, Caesar with Chicken Salad, or a Salad Stuffer can work well for lunch.
For diet-aware customers
Choose a salad that can be adjusted. Ask for dressing on the side. Remove nuts, cheese, bacon, or chicken if needed.
For taste-focused customers
Choose Fuji Apple Chicken Salad if you like sweet and savory flavor. Choose Asian Sesame Chicken Salad if you like crunch.
For family or group orders
Pick simple choices like Caesar Salad, Greek Salad, Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, or Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken. These are easy options for different tastes. For larger orders, check the Panera Catering Menu.
Low-Calorie & High-Protein Salad Options
If you want a lower-calorie Panera salad, look at the Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad. A whole serving is listed at 410 calories in Panera’s nutrition guide. The same salad without pecans is listed at 310 calories.
If you want more protein, Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken is a good pick. A whole salad has 40 grams of protein. Steakhouse Ranch Salad is also filling and has 42 grams of protein, but it is higher in calories.
A simple tip is to order dressing on the side. This helps you control calories, fat, and sodium. You can also choose a half salad if you want a smaller meal.
Panera Salad Nutrition Breakdown
Panera salads can be healthy, but it depends on the salad and toppings. Chicken adds protein. Nuts add crunch and healthy fats, but they also add calories.
Dressing can add extra sodium, sugar, and fat. A salad with fruit may have more sugar. A salad with bacon, cheese, ranch, or steak may have more calories and sodium.
If you are watching calories, choose a lighter salad. If you want a full meal, choose a salad with chicken or grains.
Popular Salad Nutrition Snapshot
| Salad | Calories | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad | 410 | 27g | 1480mg |
| Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken | 580 | 40g | 1980mg |
| Asian Sesame Chicken Salad | 530 | 29g | 1900mg |
| Fuji Apple Chicken Salad | 710 | 28g | 1770mg |
| Caesar with Chicken Salad | 700 | 34g | 2290mg |
| Steakhouse Ranch Salad | 860 | 42g | 2220mg |
These numbers show why the best salad depends on your goal. For fewer calories, choose Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad. For more protein, choose Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken or Steakhouse Ranch Salad.
How to Customize Your Panera Salad
Panera salads are easy to customize. You can remove toppings, add protein, ask for dressing on the side, or choose a half size.
A half salad is better for a light meal or a You Pick Two order. A whole salad is better if you want lunch or dinner. Calories can change a lot between half and whole sizes, so always check the size before ordering.
This is helpful if you want to lower calories or avoid an ingredient. For example, you can remove pecans from Fuji Apple Chicken Salad or Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad.
Simple Customization Tips
Ask for dressing on the side
This gives you more control over calories, fat, and sodium.
Choose a half salad
A half salad can work better for a smaller meal or a You Pick Two order.
Remove nuts
Remove nuts if you do not like them or need to avoid them.
Remove cheese
Remove cheese if you want a lighter salad or need to avoid dairy.
Remove bacon
Remove bacon if you want to avoid pork or reduce heavy toppings.
Add chicken
Add chicken if you want more protein.
Pick a Salad Stuffer
Pick a Salad Stuffer if you want a more filling meal with bread.
Dietary and Allergen Notes
Some Panera salads may include dairy, nuts, wheat, eggs, or other allergens. Dressings and toppings can also change nutrition.
Panera Soup and Salad Value Duets
Panera soup and salad value duets are useful when you want two items in one meal. They are also helpful if you do not want a full salad.
A value duet can pair a salad with soup. This gives you more variety. It also makes the meal feel warmer and more filling.
Current Value Duet Options
| Value Duet | Best For |
|---|---|
| Caesar Salad & Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup | Classic lunch combo |
| Greek Salad & Creamy Tomato Soup | Meal without chicken |
These are good choices for lunch. Caesar Salad works well with chicken noodle soup. Greek Salad works well with creamy tomato soup.
Caesar Salad & Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
This is a simple combo. The Caesar Salad gives you romaine, cheese, and Caesar dressing. The chicken noodle soup adds warmth and comfort.
Choose this if you want a classic Panera meal that is easy to order.
Greek Salad & Creamy Tomato Soup
This combo has stronger flavor. The Greek Salad gives you feta, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and Greek dressing. The creamy tomato soup adds a smooth and warm side.
Choose this if you want a meal without chicken.
How to Order Panera Salads Easily
You can order Panera salads in the cafe, through the Panera app, on the Panera website, or by delivery where available. If you want a drink with your salad, check the Panera Beverages Menu.
The app is the best place to check your local price. It also helps you see if a salad is sold out at your nearby cafe.
Available Ordering Options
In store
Order at the counter if you want to ask questions before choosing.
Pickup
Place your order online and pick it up at your local cafe.
Drive-thru at some locations
Some Panera cafes may offer drive-thru ordering.
Delivery
Delivery may be available depending on your location.
Panera app
Use the app to check local prices, calories, and availability.
Panera website
Use the website to review menu items before ordering.
Before you order, check the size. A half salad is smaller and lighter. A whole salad is better if you want a full meal.
FAQs
FAQs
What are the most popular salads at Panera?
Some popular Panera salads include Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken, Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, Caesar Salad, Greek Salad, Asian Sesame Chicken Salad, and Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad.
Can I customize my salad at Panera?
Yes, you can customize many Panera salads. You can remove toppings, add chicken, ask for dressing on the side, or choose a half or whole salad.
Does Panera offer vegetarian or vegan salads?
Panera has salad options that can be ordered without chicken, such as Caesar Salad, Greek Salad, and some greens with grains options. For vegetarian or vegan needs, check the Panera app or ask staff before ordering because cheese, dressing, and toppings may include animal-based ingredients.
Does Panera offer any low-calorie salad options?
Yes. Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad is one of the lighter chicken salad choices. A whole serving is listed at 410 calories in Panera’s nutrition guide.
Are Panera salads good for high-protein meals?
Yes, some Panera salads can work for a high-protein meal. Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken has 40 grams of protein, and Steakhouse Ranch Salad has 42 grams of protein in Panera’s nutrition guide.
Which Panera salad is best for lunch?
Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken is a good lunch pick because it has chicken, egg, avocado, bacon, and vegetables. If you want something more filling, try a Salad Stuffer.
Which Panera salad is best for a lighter meal?
Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad is one of the better lighter options. You can also choose a half salad if you want a smaller meal.
What is the best Panera salad for sweet and savory flavor?
Fuji Apple Chicken Salad is a good choice for sweet and savory flavor because it has chicken, apple chips, greens, cheese, pecans, and vinaigrette.
Conclusion
After checking the Panera salads menu, the best choice really depends on what you need from your meal. From a menu research point of view, I would not choose a salad by name only. I would compare calories, protein, ingredients, portion size, and toppings first. That simple check can help you avoid ordering a salad that is too heavy, too light, or not right for your diet.
If you want something lighter, Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad is a strong pick. If you want more protein, Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken is a better choice. If you like sweet and savory flavor, Fuji Apple Chicken Salad is worth considering. And if you want a more filling lunch, a Salad Stuffer may make more sense than a regular salad. For budget-friendly pairings, also compare the Panera Value Duets Menu.
