Copycat Panera Mediterranean Grain Bowl Recipe (Health-Focused Menu Star)
This bowl became my weekly lunch obsession! Nutty quinoa, crisp cucumbers, tangy feta, and bright herbs with a zesty Mediterranean dressing.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- cooked quinoa 1 cup
- cooked brown rice 1 cup
- cooked farro 1 cup
- grape tomatoes 1 cup
- English cucumber 0.5 cup
- kalamata olives 0.25 cup
- feta cheese, crumbled 0.33 cup
- hummus 0.25 cup
- baby spinach 1 cup
- arugula 1 cup
- lemon wedge 2 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
- extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp
- fresh lemon juice 2 tbsp
- red wine vinegar 1 tbsp
- dijon mustard 1 tsp
- honey 1 tsp
- dried oregano 1 tsp
- fresh parsley, chopped 2 tbsp
- sea salt 0.5 tsp
- ground black pepper 0.25 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
68 g
42%
Protein
21 g
13%
Fat
31 g
45%
Cooking steps
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1
1. Cook the grains: In a saucepan, prepare quinoa, brown rice, and farro according to package instructions (using water or vegetable stock for enhanced flavor). Let cool to room temperature for best salad texture. Copycat tip: Panera’s base uses a tri-grain blend for nutty depth.
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2. Make the Mediterranean dressing: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, oregano, parsley, sea salt, and black pepper until emulsified. Tip: Use fresh lemon juice and high-quality olive oil to replicate Panera’s zippy, aromatic vinaigrette.
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3. Prep the vegetables: Halve grape tomatoes, dice cucumber, chop olives, and set aside. Wash and dry spinach and arugula to retain crispness.
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4. Assemble bowls: In two large shallow bowls, layer a mix of quinoa, brown rice, and farro as the base, then arrange spinach, arugula, tomatoes, cucumber, and olives on top. Add a generous dollop of hummus at the center.
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5
5. Garnish & finish: Sprinkle crumbled feta, drizzle each bowl with the Mediterranean dressing, and add fresh lemon wedges. Serve immediately for peak texture—Panera’s bowls are assembled to-order for crisp vegetables and bright flavors.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this actually taste like Panera?
Absolutely! By blending cooked quinoa, brown rice, and farro, plus crisp veggies, feta, and a tangy house vinaigrette, you closely mirror Panera’s signature Mediterranean Grain Bowl. Using a zesty homemade Mediterranean dressing and high-quality olive oil makes a huge difference in capturing the fresh, wholesome Panera flavor.
Q. Can I make this without special kitchen equipment?
Yes, all you need is a saucepan for grains and a bowl for mixing the dressing. No food processor, stand mixer, or grill is required. Assembly is simple—just some slicing, stirring, and layering—so it’s kitchen-friendly for any home cook.
Q. Can I make this vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free?
This recipe as written is vegetarian. To make it vegan, omit feta cheese and ensure your hummus is dairy-free. For gluten-free, use all-quinoa and brown rice (omit farro as it contains gluten). The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free and plant-based!
Q. How many calories are in a serving and what are the macros?
One serving is about 470 grams and contains approximately 650 kcal: 68g carbohydrates (42%), 21g protein (13%), and 31g fat (45%). This balance mimics Panera’s nutrition focus, with grains and veggies providing most of the energy.
Q. Is it cheaper to make at home than ordering from Panera?
Definitely! While Panera’s Mediterranean Grain Bowl typically costs $10–$13 per bowl, making two at home with pantry grains and fresh veggies averages about half that per serving—freshness and cost savings, no tip required.
