Panera Signature Sauce
Panera Signature Sauce is a creamy, golden-orange condiment. Its smooth texture makes it ideal for spreading on sandwiches or drizzling over chicken bowls. The flavor is a mixture of mayonnaise, mustard, honey, and a hot kick from spices — giving it just enough warmth without being overpowering.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise use a good-quality brand like Duke's or Hellmann’s
- 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika optional but recommended
- A pinch of cayenne pepper optional, for slight heat
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Combine Base Ingredients
- Begin by placing mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Tip:
- Whisk the ingredients together until they’re smooth, ensuring no lumps or separation.
Add Seasonings
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, and any optional seasonings like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper.
Tip:
- Stir the seasonings well to ensure they’re evenly distributed throughout the sauce. If you prefer a more intense flavor, feel free to adjust the quantity of these seasonings.
Season to Taste
- Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This is an essential step, as it helps to balance the flavors in the sauce. If you like it sweeter, you can add a bit more honey, or if you prefer more acidity, you can add a touch more lemon juice.
Tip:
- Taste the sauce after seasoning and make small adjustments until it suits your preferences. A good sauce should have a perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and savory flavor.
Chill (Optional)
- After mixing, cover the sauce and place it in the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least 30 minutes, although refrigerating it for a longer period (up to several hours or overnight) will allow the flavors to meld together more harmoniously.
- Chilling the sauce helps the flavors to develop fully. It allows the various components to blend and intensify, resulting in a richer, more cohesive taste. Additionally, the cold temperature can enhance the texture, making it a bit thicker.
- If you're in a hurry, you can skip the chilling step, but for the best flavor, it’s recommended to let the sauce sit in the fridge for a while.
Serve
- Once your sauce is ready, you can use it in a variety of ways:
- As a dip for fries, chicken tenders, or vegetables, offering a tangy and creamy accompaniment.
- As a dressing for salads, adding richness and a burst of flavor.
Why it's important:
- This versatile sauce works wonderfully in multiple dishes, whether you're preparing a quick sandwich or a more elaborate meal. It adds a creamy, tangy richness that enhances a variety of flavors.
Tip:
- Store the sauce in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 1 week, and you can easily make it in advance for future use.