This Panera Bread Greek Salad is made with simple ingredients, such as crispy romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion slices all coated in a homemade Greek dressing that is out of this world delicious. It makes a great salad for a healthy lunch or a simple side dish.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It's the perfect copycat Panera Greek Salad recipe, so you don't have to leave the house to enjoy this restaurant favorite.
- The dressing is full of Mediterranean-inspired spices which gives this salad a wonderful flavor.
- The crunchy pepperoncini peppers add a slight touch of spice without being overpowering.
This simple Greek salad recipe is one of the best ways to satisfy your salad cravings without having to leave the house. It's also loaded with fresh ingredients and Mediterranean flavors so you can feel good about serving it to your family.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📋 Ingredient Notes / Variations
- Oil - Since this is an oil dressing, I recommend that you use high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Apple cider vinegar - This acid adds a tangy flavor to the dressing and pairs well with the Mediterranean flavors in the salad.
- Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice adds the best flavor, but you can also bottled juice in a pinch.
- Garlic - Fresh garlic gives this dressing an extra kick of flavor. You can also use garlic powder if that's what you have on hand.
- Dijon mustard - This adds a touch of creaminess to the dressing and helps emulsify it.
- Sugar - The sugar balances out the acidity and adds a touch of sweetness. You can also substitute with honey, maple syrup, or agave.
- Oregano - This dried herb will add a savory and slightly earthy flavor to the dressing.
- Dry Tarragon - Another herb commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, tarragon adds a subtle anise-like flavor to the dressing.
- Salt and black pepper - These basic seasonings bring out all the flavors in the dressing. I like to use sea salt for the best flavor.
- Romaine lettuce - Look for a head of lettuce that is fresh and crisp. You can also use other types of lettuce like butter lettuce, arugula, or mixed greens.
- Grape tomatoes - These sweet and juicy tomatoes add a burst of color and freshness to the salad. You can also use cherry tomatoes if desired.
- Red onion - The sharp and tangy flavor of red onion pairs perfectly with the dressing. Thinly slice the onion for a milder taste or chop it for a stronger flavor.
- Kalamata olives - These briny and slightly bitter olives add a depth of flavor to the salad. Be sure to pit them before adding them in.
- Feta cheese - This creamy and salty cheese adds a rich and tangy element to the salad. Crumble it over the top for even distribution.
- Pepperoncini peppers - These pickled peppers add a kick of heat and tanginess to the salad. Use as many or as little as you prefer.
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a small jar with a lid, place salad dressing and shake well to combine.
- În a large bowl, place salad ingredients, except for the Pepperoncini peppers in a salad bowl.
- Pour dressing on top to your liking and toss to coat.
- Top with pepperoncini peppers.
🥣 Equipment
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- small jar with lid
- large salad bowl
- salad tongs or spoons
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👍 Amira's Tips
- Before you are ready to make your salad sure to wash and dry all your produce thoroughly.
- Do not add the dressing to the salad until you are ready to serve it so that it doesn't become soggy.
🧺 Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftover salad undressed in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to two days. Wait until you are ready to serve it before you add the dressing.
⌛ Make Ahead
This salad is best served fresh, however, the dressing can be made up to one week ahead and stored in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
🍽️ Serve With
This classic Greek salad pairs well with most meals. However, we like to serve it with simple entrees like these Grilled Nuggets or these Grilled Shrimp Kabobs. No matter what you pair them with, your whole family will love this salad.
👩🍳 Variations
- Do you want to add more vegetables? Try adding bell peppers, cucumbers, or even zucchini and carrots to your salad.
- If you are not a fan of kalamata olives you can use black olives instead.
💬 FAQs
Traditional Greek salad dressing is typically made with a combination of olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano. It's simple but packs a lot of flavor.
📣 Related Recipes
- If you love making copycat recipes at home like I do, then next time you may want to give this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi recipe a try!
- This homemade Big Mac Sauce recipe is a great way to satisfy your cravings for this juicy burger but at a fraction of the cost.
- This Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken is one of my go-to recipes when I'm craving Chinese takeout, but don't want to leave the house.
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Panera Bread Greek Salad
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon dry oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dry tarragon
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt or to taste
For the salad:
- 1 large head romaine lettuce 4-5 cups chopped
- ½ cup grape tomatoes halved
- ½ small red onion cut into rings
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 6-8 whole Pepperoncini peppers
Instructions
- In a small jar with a lid, place salad dressing and shake well to combine.
- În a large bowl, place salad ingredients, except for the Pepperoncini peppers in a salad bowl.
- Pour dressing on top to your liking and toss to coat.
- Top with pepperoncini peppers
Notes
- I poured about ¾ of the dressing and served the rest on the side.
- If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
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