Frederic Melton
Panera Bread added new spicy sandwiches and avocado toast to its menu in July 2024, including the Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich. The Kickin' Grilled Cheese is a grilled cheese sandwich with a twist, featuring a creamy salsa verde spread made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and vinegar, along with roasted green chili peppers, poblano peppers, jalapeños, and Serrano peppers for an extra kick of spice. The sandwich is served on classic white bread with American and white cheddar cheese, offering a unique and flavourful experience for grilled cheese enthusiasts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kickin' Grilled Cheese |
| Introduced | July 2024 |
| Bread | Classic white bread |
| Cheese | American, White Cheddar, Gruyère, and Cheddar |
| Sauce | Creamy salsa verde spread |
| Sauce ingredients | Cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, roasted green chili peppers, roasted poblano peppers, jalapeños, and Serrano peppers |
| Add-ons | Bacon, chicken, turkey, or steak |
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What You'll Learn
Salsa verde spread
Panera's Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich is a new addition to the menu, offering a unique flavour experience with its creamy salsa verde spread. The salsa verde spread is the key ingredient that gives the sandwich its signature kick of spice.
Salsa verde is a Mexican condiment that can be made with tomatillos, resulting in a flavour that is not overly spicy. Panera's version of the salsa verde spread includes cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and vinegar, creating a creamy and tangy base. The spice factor is enhanced with the addition of roasted green chilli peppers, roasted poblano peppers, jalapeños, and Serrano peppers. This combination of ingredients adds a punch of flavour and a touch of heat to the sandwich.
The creamy salsa verde spread is paired with a combination of American and White Cheddar cheeses, creating a perfect balance of flavours. The sandwich is served on Panera's Classic White Miche bread, providing a neutral base that allows the spread and cheese to shine. The result is a meatless sandwich that is both delicious and satisfying for a quick lunch or dinner option.
For those who want a more fulfilling meal, the sandwich can be customised by adding proteins such as bacon, chicken, or turkey. The versatility of the sandwich makes it a popular choice for those looking for a spicy, cheesy treat. The salsa verde spread is also available as a dip for those who want to enjoy it with other menu items.
Creating the salsa verde spread at home is simple and can be made by combining store-bought salsa verde with cream cheese and sour cream. This allows fans of the sandwich to recreate the flavour at home, customising it to their taste preferences. The spread can be used as a base for the sandwich or even as a dip, offering a variety of ways to enjoy it.
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American and white cheddar cheese
The Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich from Panera Bread is a spicy take on the classic grilled cheese. It features a combination of American and white cheddar cheese, with a creamy salsa verde spread that gives it a kick. The spread is made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, and spices such as roasted green chilli peppers, poblano peppers, jalapeños, and Serrano peppers.
The sandwich is served on Panera's Classic White Miche bread, which is a good choice to balance the sauce. It is a meatless sandwich option, but customers can add proteins like bacon, chicken, or turkey for a more fulfilling meal. The Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich was introduced as part of Panera Bread's menu overhaul in July 2024, which included new spicy sandwiches and avocado toast options.
The combination of American and white cheddar cheese in the Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich provides a good balance of flavours and textures. American cheese, known for its creamy and mild flavour, melts easily and contributes to the sandwich's overall creaminess. On the other hand, white cheddar cheese adds a sharper, more distinct flavour to the sandwich. Its slightly firmer texture and richer taste complement the creamy and spicy salsa verde spread.
The process of grilling the sandwich also enhances the flavours and textures of the cheeses. When grilled, American cheese becomes even creamier and develops a slightly salty taste, while white cheddar cheese becomes more robust and pungent. The grilling process also allows the cheeses to blend together, creating a cohesive and indulgent bite. The cheese combination is a key factor in making the Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich a unique and flavourful experience.
In addition to the cheese, the salsa verde spread is a crucial component of the sandwich. The spread is what gives the sandwich its signature kick and spiciness. By combining the cheeses with the spread, Panera Bread has created a grilled cheese sandwich that offers a balance of creamy, spicy, and tangy flavours. The Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich showcases the versatility of grilled cheese, elevating it from a classic comfort food to a more exciting and indulgent meal.
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Spicy ingredient
The Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich from Panera Bread is a spicy twist on the classic grilled cheese. The spice comes from the salsa verde spread, which is a Mexican condiment made with tomatillos. The salsa verde spread in the Kickin' Grilled Cheese includes cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and vinegar. The spice factor is enhanced by the addition of roasted green chilli peppers, roasted poblano peppers, jalapeños, and Serrano peppers.
The sandwich also contains a combination of American and white cheddar cheese, which helps to balance out the spiciness of the salsa verde spread. The cheese is melted between two slices of classic white bread, creating a creamy and indulgent texture.
While the salsa verde spread provides a kick of spice, the overall flavour of the sandwich is described as well-balanced and delicious. The spice level is said to be mild to moderate, as the tomatillo-based salsa verde is not inherently very spicy.
The Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich is a limited-time special menu item at Panera Bread, offering a unique and flavourful experience to those who enjoy a touch of heat with their comfort food. It is a meatless sandwich but can be customised with proteins like bacon, chicken, or turkey for a more fulfilling meal.
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Meatless sandwich option
Panera Bread added new spicy sandwiches and avocado toast to its menu in July 2024, including the Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich. The Kickin' Grilled Cheese is a meatless sandwich option that combines the melty goodness of a classic grilled cheese with a touch of spice. The sandwich features a creamy salsa verde spread, which gives it its signature kick.
Salsa verde is a Mexican condiment made with tomatillos, and its spice level can vary depending on the recipe. Panera's salsa verde spread includes cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and vinegar. The spice factor is enhanced by ingredients such as roasted green chili peppers, roasted poblano peppers, jalapeños, and Serrano peppers. This spread can be easily made at home by combining store-bought salsa verde with cream cheese and sour cream.
The Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich at Panera offers a unique and delicious flavour experience. It is prepared with a combination of American and white cheddar cheese, creating a balanced taste to complement the spicy salsa verde spread. The sandwich is served on Panera's Classic White Miche bread, providing a familiar foundation for this innovative twist on a classic.
As a meatless sandwich option, the Kickin' Grilled Cheese is perfect for those seeking a quick and convenient lunch or dinner. For those who desire a more fulfilling meal, Panera offers the option to add proteins such as bacon, chicken, or turkey to the sandwich. This flexibility allows customers to customise their sandwich according to their preferences and dietary needs.
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Avocado toast
In July 2024, Panera Bread added new sandwiches and avocado toast to its menu, including the Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich and two new Avocado Toast varieties. The Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich is a combination of American and White Cheddar cheese with a creamy salsa verde spread, served on Panera's Classic White Miche bread. The salsa verde spread is made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, roasted green chilli peppers, roasted poblano peppers, jalapenos, and Serrano peppers. The spice of the salsa verde spread is balanced by the mildness of the cheese and bread.
The Avocado Toast, on the other hand, is crafted on Panera's signature Country Rustic Sourdough Bread. It is layered with a chunky avocado spread and a selection of other ingredients. The Avocado Toast is vegetarian-friendly and is available at a starting price of $3.49.
The Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich has received mixed reviews from customers. While some people like the spice and flavour of the salsa verde spread, others have found it unappetising. The sandwich is priced at $7.49 and is a limited-time special menu item.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a grilled cheese sandwich with a twist, featuring a creamy salsa verde spread made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and vinegar, along with roasted green chilli peppers, poblano peppers, jalapenos, and Serrano peppers. The sandwich is made with a combination of American and white cheddar cheese on classic white bread.
The spice in the Kickin' Grilled Cheese comes from the salsa verde spread. The salsa verde itself is not very spicy, but the spread includes ingredients like roasted green chilli peppers, poblano peppers, jalapenos, and Serrano peppers, which give it a kick.
The Kickin' Grilled Cheese is a good meatless option, but you can also add proteins like bacon, chicken, or turkey to make it a more fulfilling meal.
