How to Make a Copycat Panera Tuna Salad (With Step-by-Step Instructions and Tips)

How to Make Panera Tuna Salad

Panera Bread’s tuna salad is a popular choice for a healthy and satisfying lunch or light dinner. It’s made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and it’s packed with protein and healthy fats. This copycat recipe is easy to make at home, and it’s sure to become a staple in your rotation.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of making Panera’s tuna salad, from start to finish. We’ll also provide tips for making the dish your own, so you can customize it to your taste.

So whether you’re craving a taste of Panera Bread’s tuna salad or you’re just looking for a new and healthy lunch option, this recipe is sure to please.

Ingredients Instructions Notes
  • 1 can (5 ounces) chunk light tuna, drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped cucumber
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  1. In a large bowl, combine the tuna, celery, onion, bell pepper, and cucumber.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to coat.
  4. Serve immediately or chill for later.
  • For a gluten-free salad, use gluten-free mayonnaise.
  • For a vegan salad, use vegan mayonnaise or a plant-based yogurt.
  • For a low-fat salad, use light mayonnaise or yogurt.
  • For a healthier salad, use whole-wheat bread or crackers instead of croutons.

Ingredients

To make Panera Tuna Salad, you will need the following ingredients:

  • 1 can (5 ounces) of albacore tuna, drained
  • 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup of celery, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup of red onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

To make Panera Tuna Salad, follow these steps:

1. In a large bowl, combine the tuna, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, walnuts, and parsley.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Tips

  • For a more flavorful tuna salad, use fresh tuna instead of canned tuna.
  • If you don’t have any walnuts on hand, you can use pecans or almonds instead.
  • If you want to make a lighter version of tuna salad, use light mayonnaise or yogurt instead of regular mayonnaise.
  • You can also add other ingredients to your tuna salad, such as grapes, tomatoes, or cucumbers.

Panera Tuna Salad is a delicious and healthy lunch or dinner option. It’s easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, give Panera Tuna Salad a try!

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

1/4 cup finely chopped carrot

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1 (5 ounce) can albacore tuna, drained

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, celery, red onion, carrot, parsley, chives, dill, basil, tuna, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir until well combined.
3. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Tips

  • For a more flavorful tuna salad, use fresh tuna instead of canned.
  • If you don’t have all of the fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs instead. Just be sure to use less dried herbs than fresh herbs, as they are more potent.
  • You can also add other ingredients to your tuna salad, such as chopped walnuts, raisins, or chopped apples.
  • To make a tuna salad sandwich, spread the tuna salad on two slices of bread and top with your favorite sandwich toppings.
  • Tuna salad is also delicious served on crackers, lettuce wraps, or as a filling for tacos or burritos.

Variations

Here are a few variations on the classic tuna salad recipe:

  • Tuna Salad with Avocado: Add a diced avocado to your tuna salad for a creamy, healthy twist.
  • Tuna Salad with Egg: Hard boil an egg and chop it up to add to your tuna salad. This is a great way to add protein and nutrients to your meal.
  • Tuna Salad with Grapes: Add some chopped red grapes to your tuna salad for a sweet and refreshing touch.
  • Tuna Salad with Cucumber: Cucumber is a great way to add some crunch to your tuna salad.
  • Tuna Salad with Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a classic addition to tuna salad.

Tuna salad is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for a busy day. It is also a great way to use up leftover tuna. With so many variations to choose from, you are sure to find a tuna salad recipe that you love.

How to Make Panera Tuna Salad?

  • What are the ingredients for Panera Tuna Salad?

1 can (5 ounces) tuna, drained
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • How do I make Panera Tuna Salad?

1. In a large bowl, combine the tuna, celery, red onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the tuna salad and stir to coat.
4. Serve immediately or chill for later.

  • What are some variations on Panera Tuna Salad?

There are many ways to vary Panera Tuna Salad. Here are a few ideas:

  • Add chopped walnuts or almonds for a crunchy texture.
  • Chopped apples or grapes add sweetness.
  • Chopped carrots or cucumbers add freshness.
  • Use different types of tuna, such as albacore or light tuna.
  • Use different types of mayonnaise, such as olive oil mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
  • Add different herbs and spices, such as dill, basil, or oregano.
  • How can I make Panera Tuna Salad ahead of time?

Panera Tuna Salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To make ahead, simply prepare the salad as directed and store in an airtight container. When ready to serve, let the salad come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying.

  • How do I serve Panera Tuna Salad?

Panera Tuna Salad is best served chilled. It can be served on its own, as a sandwich filling, or on top of a salad. Enjoy!

Panera Tuna Salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. It is also very versatile, so you can customize it to your liking. By following the steps in this recipe, you can make a Panera Tuna Salad that is just as good as the real thing. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

  • Panera Tuna Salad is made with fresh ingredients, including tuna, celery, red onion, and mayonnaise.
  • The salad is tossed in a light and flavorful dressing.
  • Panera Tuna Salad is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
  • You can customize the salad to your liking by adding or removing ingredients.
  • Panera Tuna Salad is a healthy and delicious option that the whole family will love.

Author Profile

Kelsey Hammons
Kelsey Hammons
I was born and raised in the fabulous state of Maryland but recently decided to pack up my stuff and move to the Midwest city they call Chicago.

I hope to capture all of my life’s adventures of living in the windy city. AKA the food I cook, my journey to the Chicago Marathon, the books I read and the trashy TV shows I watch. I’m a health-nut, book-worm and exercise fiend.

Join me, Kelsey, on this exciting journey as I embrace the challenges and joys of my new life in Chicago. From mastering the art of healthy cooking to hitting the pavement for marathon training, my blog is a window into my world of self-discovery and fun.

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