Panera Adds New Vegan Tex-Mex Bowl to Menu at Select Locations
Panera is no stranger to plant-based options, offering more vegan menu items in recent years. Most recently, the chain announced a brand-new vegan bowl available at its New York City locations until January.
Made with lentils, brown rice, a quinoa-sofrito blend, spinach, kale, pico de gallo, avocado, pecans, and roasted corn—and topped with a spicy chili lime “rojo” vinegar—the Tex-Mex Abundance Bowl is loaded with healthful, filling plant foods. “From an early age, we’re told to treat animal protein as the true star of the dish,” Chef Kevin Curry, who developed the recipe for Panera in conjunction with its Food Interrupted docu-series, told VegNews.
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Chef Curry continues:
With this bowl, I wanted to challenge that mindset by demonstrating a complete, nutritious and hearty meal all in one bowl. And that’s why I called it an Abundance Bowl—because it’s packed with an abundance of fresh ingredients and real food, not to mention vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, to power you through any day in the office, or in the gym.
While this new vegan bowl is available only for a limited time, the chain offers several vegan options year-round, including soup, sandwiches, and salads. Here are a few of our favorite vegan options at Panera:
Vegan Lentil Quinoa Broth Bowl
With a satisfying, savory soy-miso broth, this entirely plant-based bowl is packed with quinoa, lentils, tomato sofrito, kale, and more!
Soba Noodle Broth Bowl With Edamame
Although this bowl isn’t labeled “vegan,” the umami broth is the same as in the vegan bowl above. But this bowl adds soba buckwheat noodles, napa cabbage, fire-roasted edamame, and sesame seeds.
Vegetarian Black Bean Soup
This soup of savory black beans simmered with veggies and spices is seriously good and can be served in a bread bowl!
Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
This sandwich comes with cilantro-jalapeño hummus and is packed with fresh veggies, including sweet Peppadew peppers. Just be sure to hold the feta and swap the bread for sourdough, ciabatta, or a French baguette!
Modern Greek Salad With Quinoa
Looking for something a little lighter? Try this refreshing salad made with kale, romaine, cucumber, quinoa, almonds, Kalamata olives, and more. Be sure to hold the feta!
Peach and Blueberry Smoothie With Almond Milk
This sweet treat is loaded with peach and mango purée, almond milk, white grapes, passion fruit juice, and fresh blueberries!
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Pushing for more animal-friendly menu options is a great way to make vegan eating easier for you and the millions of Americans who are moving away from meat. Check out these five easy tips for getting more vegan food at your favorite restaurant.
*Since menu items may vary by location, be sure to let your server know that you’re vegan to ensure no animal products are used!