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Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

Fresh strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and candied pecans over romaine with a creamy poppyseed dressing. A 5-minute copycat of Panera's most popular seasonal salad.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 8 cup chopped romaine hearts
  • 2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup canned mandarin oranges in juice, well drained
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned in juice, well drained
  • ½ cup glazed or candied pecans

Bottled dressing option

  • ½ cup Brianna's Home Style Rich Poppy Seed Dressing (about 2 tablespoons per serving)

Homemade poppyseed dressing (optional)

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 1 tsp finely grated sweet onion
  • ¼ tsp dry mustard
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Wash all fruit before cutting. Hull and slice the strawberries on a dry cutting board. Pat the blueberries dry. Drain the mandarin oranges and pineapple and blot with paper towels.
  • If making dressing from scratch: whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes before using. Keeps up to 5 days.
  • Divide the chopped romaine evenly across 4 plates, about 2 cups per plate.
  • Top each plate with equal portions of strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and pecans.
  • Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of dressing over each plate right before serving and toss gently.

Notes

  • To add grilled chicken: season 1¼ lb chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or sear over medium-high 4 to 5 minutes per side until 165°F. Rest, slice, and add on top. About 610 calories per serving with chicken.
  • Always dress portions individually right before eating.
  • For a lighter version closer to Panera's cafe nutrition: use plain toasted pecans and fat-free poppyseed dressing. Drops to about 250 calories per serving.
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