Panera's Blue Cheese Dressing: A Menu Mystery Solved

does panera have blue cheese dressing

Panera Bread offers a chunky blue cheese dressing and dip that balances the distinctive flavour of hand-crafted blue cheese crumbles with a smooth buttermilk finish. It is a bakery-cafe-inspired salad dressing that is rich and creamy, adding a restaurant-quality taste to homemade salads, protein bowls, and dips. The blue cheese dressing is also available in a yogurt-based version, which is a healthier option.

Characteristics Values
Name Panera Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
Type Salad dressing and dip
Flavour Balanced, tangy, creamy
Ingredients Canola oil, cultured low-fat buttermilk, blue cheese (pasteurized milk, sea salt, cheese cultures, enzymes, penicillium roqueforti), white wine vinegar, water, egg yolk, salt, sugar, xanthan gum, blue cheese concentrate (blue cheese [pasteurized milk, cultures, salt, enzymes], water and salt), black pepper, lactic acid, mustard flour, garlic powder
Nutritional Information 170 calories, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of sugar, 18 grams of fat, 200 milligrams of sodium
Other Information Gluten-free, vegetarian, contains no artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavours, or colours from artificial sources

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Panera's Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

This dressing is made without artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavours, or colours from artificial sources. It is also gluten-free and vegetarian. It is a great addition to your homemade salads, protein bowls, and dips. It pairs well with cool cucumber slices, hot buffalo wings, and crudité cups for the perfect party snack or some extra fun any day.

The Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing is available for delivery or pickup from Instacart. It comes in a 12 fl oz bottle and contains 170 calories, 2 grams of carbs, 1 gram of sugar, 18 grams of fat, and 200 grams of sodium.

If you are looking for a similar option, Panera also offers a Gorgonzola Blue Cheese Dressing with Yogurt. It has more tang than normal bottled blue cheese and is a healthier option as it is yogurt-based.

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Blue Cheese Dressing ingredients

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dipping sauce in the United States and Canada. It is often served as a side sauce, salad dressing, or dip. Blue cheese dressing is commonly paired with Buffalo wings, crudités (raw vegetables), chicken, turkey, garlic bread, and corn. It can also be used as a spread for sandwiches or wraps, or incorporated into dips with other ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce.

There are many ways to make blue cheese dressing, and every home cook has their own recipe. However, the following ingredients are commonly used:

  • Blue cheese: This is the key ingredient that gives the dressing its distinct flavour. Popular options include Gorgonzola or any blue cheese that has a rich and creamy taste.
  • Buttermilk: Buttermilk is typically used as the base of the dressing, providing a smooth and creamy texture.
  • Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise adds creaminess and richness to the dressing.
  • Sour cream: Sour cream is often combined with mayonnaise to create a lighter, extra creamy texture.
  • Milk: Milk is added to thin out the dressing, making it more pourable and suitable for salads. For a thicker dressing, such as a dip, milk is usually omitted.
  • Vinegar: Vinegar adds a tangy flavour to the dressing.
  • Seasonings: Common seasonings include salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, and lemon juice. These enhance the flavour and add a punch to the dressing.

The dressing is typically made by mashing the blue cheese with buttermilk and then combining it with the other ingredients. It can be adjusted to personal preferences, such as adding more or less milk to achieve the desired consistency.

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Blue Cheese Dressing nutritional value

Blue cheese dressing is a popular condiment in the US, often used on salads or as a dip for vegetables and Buffalo wings. While blue cheese is known for its strong, tangy taste, this is often toned down when combined with other ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, or yogurt.

A 2-tablespoon serving of blue cheese dressing provides 130 calories and 14 grams of fat. It is also low in carbohydrates, with only 0.7 grams per tablespoon, and often low in protein, depending on its ingredients. Blue cheese dressing does not typically contain added sugars.

The fat in blue cheese dressing can help the body absorb more fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, increasing the nutritional benefit of salads and vegetables. Blue cheese dressing is available in full-fat, reduced-fat, and fat-free varieties, as well as vegan options.

Panera Bread offers a chunky Blue Cheese dressing, made with hand-crafted, small-batch blue cheese crumbles from Wisconsin and a smooth, creamy buttermilk finish. It is free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavours, and colours.

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Where to buy Panera's Blue Cheese Dressing

Panera Bread offers a chunky blue cheese dressing and dip, made with hand-crafted, small-batch blue cheese crumbles from Wisconsin. It has a smooth, creamy buttermilk finish and is free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavours, and colours.

You can buy Panera's blue cheese dressing from the refrigerated produce area of your local grocery store, usually found next to the lettuce.

The official Panera website also offers some serving suggestions for their blue cheese dressing. For example, you can cut fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers into sticks and place them in a small cup with the blue cheese dressing for dipping. You can also drizzle it over buffalo chicken, riced cauliflower, and celery, or use it to dress a classic cobb or vegetable chopped salad.

Panera also offers a gorgonzola blue cheese dressing with yogurt, which is available in 10 fl oz bottles. This variety has a more intense tang than normal bottled blue cheese and is a healthier option due to its yogurt base.

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Salads and foods that go with Blue Cheese Dressing

Blue cheese dressing is a popular choice for salads, and Panera offers its own version, the Gorgonzola Blue Cheese Dressing with Yogurt. This dressing has more tang than normal bottled blue cheese and is a healthier option due to its yogurt base.

Blue cheese dressing can be used in a variety of salads, including a classic wedge salad with iceberg lettuce, crispy baked bacon, and a generous spoonful of the dressing. It can also be drizzled over a Cobb salad, which typically includes chicken, lettuce, egg, and bacon. For those who enjoy a more pungent flavour, a chopped blue cheese salad maximizes the sharp taste with blue cheese in both the dressing and as chunks in the salad. This type of salad often includes ingredients like creamy avocado, toasted walnuts, crisp romaine lettuce hearts, and crunchy vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, apples, and fennel.

The distinct flavour of blue cheese also pairs well with sweet ingredients like fruit. Chunks of apple, pear, figs, beets, raisins, or dates can add a sweet contrast to the salty, pungent cheese. Blue cheese also goes well with vegetables that provide a bitter crunch, such as radicchio, endive, and other chicories.

In addition to salads, blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that can be used in various ways. It can be served as a dip for buffalo chicken wings, crudites, or veggies. It can also be spread on sandwiches or burgers, adding a creamy and tangy flavour. For those who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, blue cheese dressing can even be used as an ingredient in recipes like Buffalo Chicken Lasagna or Super Cheesy Pasta.

With its unique flavour and versatility, blue cheese dressing is a great option for those looking to add a tangy and creamy twist to their meals, whether it's a classic salad or a more creative culinary creation.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Panera has a Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing and Dip that is available in 12 fl oz bottles.

The Panera Blue Cheese Dressing has 170 calories, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of sugar, and 18 grams of fat. It also contains 200 milligrams of sodium.

The dressing is made with canola oil, cultured low-fat buttermilk, blue cheese (made with pasteurized milk, sea salt, cheese cultures, enzymes, and Penicillium Roqueforti), white wine vinegar, water, egg yolk, salt, sugar, xanthan gum, blue cheese concentrate, black pepper, lactic acid, mustard flour, and garlic powder.

You can buy the Panera Blue Cheese Dressing at your local grocery store in the refrigerated produce area, next to the lettuce.

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