Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

This Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe is topped with fresh summer fruit like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, toasted pecans, and a homemade creamy Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing.  Celebrate summer with this perfect summer salad that can be served for lunch, dinner, or a potluck.

Love summer fruit in salads? Also try my Strawberry Kale Salad, Tuscan Melon Salad & Watermelon Arugula Salad.

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe

This Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe is special and just screams summer.  The combination of sweetness from the fruit including strawberries, oranges, blueberries, AND pineapple is perfect.  It's paired with just crunchy enough romaine lettuce, toasted pecans, and creamy homemade poppyseed dressing with poppyseeds and Greek yogurt instead of mayonaise. This salad is sweet, tangy, and savory all at once.  It's SO delicious.  Panera's version has grilled chicken breast on top, but I keep mine plain to make it vegetarian.

I've professed my love for Panera Bread here before.  I've sworn for years that they put something in their food that keeps me going back for more and more.  I love their sandwiches, bagels, soups, oatmeal, and especially their salads.  Every spring and summer I look forward to this salad because it's pure summer on a plate.  And now my son Hunter asks about his favorite salad this time of year too.

Since I've been eating at home more, I've been trying to make some of my favorite restaurant goodies at home including my favorite Panera goodies.  I've tried my hand at their Copycat Panera Strawberry Caprese Salad and Poppyseed Dressing but today I'm taking on the classic salad of summer.  This Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe is surprisingly easy to make at home and will be one you will want to eat over and over this season!

Why You'll Love this Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad...

What makes this Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad special?

• It's the perfect mixture of fruit including those fresh strawberries, blueberries, pineapple chunks, and sweet mandarin oranges.
• It's finished off with chopped pecans and a dreamy Poppyseed Dressing.  You could use my favorite bottled kind.  Panera even now sells their Poppyseed Dressing to make the exact one at home OR skip the sugar and my Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Salad Dressing which is sweetened with honey instead of regular sugar.  This is the perfect Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe!
• This salad has savory, sweetness, and just a touch of crunch making it the perfect Strawberry Salad.
• It's not only tasty but also, really pretty!
• Of course, Panera's has chicken on their version.  I don't eat chicken, so I left it off, but feel free to add your favorite protein on top.  You can customize any protein you want on the salad.

Is Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad healthy?

Yes! The Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is super healthy.  It's one of the healthiest options on the menu with only 340 calories.  The greens and fruit have lots of vitamins and superfoods.

My version is just as healthy with extra nutrients from a homemade Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing.

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need to make my Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad, but keep scrolling for the full printable recipe.

• Romaine Lettuce: Crunchy romaine pairs perfectly with the fruit in this healthy salad. You can also use a darker green like spinach or baby kale.
• Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are perfect for this salad.  Look for ripe ones in spring and summer.
• Blueberries: Blueberries are the perfect superfood for this summer salad.  You'll need fresh ones for the salad, not frozen ones.
• Pineapple: Pineapple adds a bit of a tropical touch.  Buy a whole pineapple or pre-chopped pineapple in the produce department of the grocery store.  You'll need to use a cutting board and knife to get it into small bites.
• Mandarin Oranges: The rest of the fruit is fresh but Panera uses canned mandarin oranges!  The flavor is tasty.  You will need to drain the oranges.
• Pecans: Crunchy pecans add just enough texture to the salad.  Toast the pecans for added flavor.  You could also use almonds or walnuts.
• Poppyseed Dressing: Use your favorite bottled dressing or try making my homemade version.  My DIY version is made with plain Greek yogurt, honey, apple vinegar, dijon mustard, and poppy seeds.
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

All these ingredients are easy to find in the spring and summer making this a perfect summer salad.

Instructions:

1. To make the Strawberry Poppyseed Salad, prep the ingredients. Chop the lettuce, strawberries, and pineapple.
2. Plate the lettuce and top it with the fruit and pecans.  You can also make this in small bowls or large bowls to prep it for a party.
3. Follow the instructions at my Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing and whisk together the homemade dressing.
4. Drizzle with the poppyseed dressing.
5. Serve immediately.

Variations

I love this Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad as written, but here are some yummy variations.

• Add a Protein: Panera's version has chicken which you can add.  Use your favorite rotisserie chicken to have a simpleblackened salmon. dinner without turning on the oven.  Grilled chicken or pre-packaged cooked chicken can also work.  You can also mix up the proteins and add grilled shrimp or
• Make it Cheesy: Goat cheese or feta cheese would also be delicious on this healthy salad.
• Mix up the Fruit: You could also mix up the fruit with whatever is fresh and seasonal.
• Add Veggies: You could even mix in some veggies with this like cucumber, onion or avocado.
• Mix up the Dressing: You could also use a simple oil and vinegar dressing, my Homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette, or any of my 15 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes.
• Make it Nut-Free: You can make this salad nut-free by leaving off the pecans.

FAQ

Can I make Copycat Strawberry Poppyseed Salad ahead of time?

Yes! Yes, you can chop and prep all the ingredients for the salad ahead of time.  You can also make the Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing up to two days in advance.  Store the salad components separately in the fridge without the dressing and assemble them right before serving.

What do I do with leftovers?

Store any leftovers -without the dressing - in the refrigerator for up three days.  Any salad with the dressing on it will need to be enjoyed within an hour.

How many calories are in a Panera Strawberry Poppyseed salad?

Panera's Strawberry Poppyseed Salad has only 340 calories and my version has 230 calories.  Both are delicious for a great light lunch.

I like to serve mine with a veggie sandwich.

Can I make this for a crowd or a potluck?

Yes, this version of the salad makes two servings, but easily click on the 1X or 2X on the recipe below to double or triple it.

Did Panera discontinue Strawberry Poppyseed Salad?

No! They only have it in the summer months though, often releasing it in the mid to late spring.  So if you are trying to order it in the winter, it will not be there.  If you can't wait, try making my homemade Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad.

Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is the Salad for Summer!

I hope you will give my Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe a try.  This satisfying salad is downright addictive even at home.  I love that you can serve it as a side or pile it in a big bowl for a potluck.  It's perfect for vegetarians too.  You can make this a meal on its own or add some of these ideas to serve on top or the side.

Serve it With:

• Crock Pot Potato Cheddar Soup
• Avocado Toast
• Tomato Basil Soup
• Honey Lime Shrimp Skewers
• Baked Salmon with Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
• Blackened Mahi Mahi
• Shrimp Chowder
• Shrimp Burger 

More Healthy Summer Salads to Try:

• Watermelon Arugula Salad
• Strawberry Kale Salad
• Tuscan Melon Salad
• Avocado Caprese Salad
• Grilled Peach Caprese Salad
• Mediterranean Chopped Salad
• Strawberry Caprese Salad
• Summer Berry Kale Salad
• Kale, Strawberry, and Goat Cheese Salad
• Vegan Rainbow Salad

If you make this Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad recipe

Julie Wunder

This Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe is topped with fresh summer fruit like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, toasted pecans, and a homemade creamy Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing.  Celebrate summer with this perfect summer salad that can be served for lunch, dinner, or a potluck.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Calories 237 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• ¼ cup strawberries, chopped
• ¼ cup pineapple, chopped
• ¼ cup canned mandarin oranges
• ¼ cup blueberries
• ¼ cup pecans, chopped
• ¼ cup Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing, recipe link in notes

Instructions

 

• Divide the romaine on two plates. Top with the fruit and nuts.
• Drizzle with the homemade Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

This salad tastes just like Panera's but the dressing is made without sugar!

Use my recipe for Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Salad Dressing.

 

Storage & Leftovers

Store any leftovers -without the dressing - in the refrigerator for up three days.  Any salad with the dressing on it will need to be enjoyed within an hour.

Nutrition

Calories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 199mgPotassium: 365mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 8553IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe, Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

Tried this recipe?Mention @Julie_Wunder or tag #RunninginaSkirt!

Pin for later!