# Panera Bread's balsamic vinaigrette
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [February 23, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191 "2013-02-23T20:00:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@MyMack\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyMack_1)
#### Post date: [February 23, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/1 "2013-02-23T20:00:28Z")
Does anyone know how to make or “fake” the balsamic dressing Panera puts on their classic salads? I’m sick of my homemade stuff and want a new dressing and love-love-love Panera’s.
I did look online and tried one of the suggestions…it was vile. So give up the goods Dopers! 😃
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### Author:  [@MyMack\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyMack_1)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2013, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/2 "2013-02-25T03:35:46Z")
Oh come on people, no one eats at Panera?? Fake a suggestion at least.
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### Author:  [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/3 "2013-02-25T03:37:48Z")
No idea, sorry. I’d google it, but oddly, for the last five minutes I’ve been getting “No site configured at this address”.
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### Author:  [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2013, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/4 "2013-02-25T04:05:37Z")
I googled and found two different recipes: [number 1](http://www.food.com/recipe/balsamic-vinaigrette-with-fresh-herbs-149914) and [number 2](http://www.copycatrecipeguide.com/How_to_Make_Panera_Balsamic_Vinaigrette) - which one did you try?
My recommendation is try the other one!
ETA: By the way I tend to just follow the 3 to 1 ratio (oil to vinegar) with whatever herbs, lemon juice, etc. I have on hand. Put in something with a lid and shake until it comes together.
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### Author:  [@MyMack\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyMack_1)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/5 "2013-02-25T17:02:25Z")
Thank you kindly Chimera and Doctor Who!
I tried the second one, wanted to scrape my tongue to get rid of that nasty taste. Ah well, I’ll just continue to experiment.
Thanks again y’all.
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/6 "2013-02-25T17:13:24Z")
I am a huge garlic lover, but generally find that raw garlic in a dressing is unpalatable. When I hve a recipe like these I either roast the garlic and double the amount, or soak the minced garlic in the oil for a day before making the dressing.
Also, keep in mind that different basalmic vinegars vary widely in flavor. I can’t recall the Panera dressing, so can’t advise you, but ask yourself if it has more of a bright, gentle red-wine-vinegar taste? Or a deep, thick, basalmic flavor? Be sure your viengar matches.
Also, there’s a tendency to assume that EVOO will produce a higher quality dressing. But both of these recipes call for soy bean oil, which provides a much lighter flavor proile, and won’t “argue” with the other flavors. Did you use the oil specified?
Just guessing, hth.
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### Author:  [@Reallyrosie84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reallyrosie84)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2015, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/7 "2015-10-01T17:14:32Z")
I know this thread is years old but I was just looking for a recipe (didn’t want to hit grocery store) and saw a note on another site to try maple syrup w/ balsamic if you don’t want to reduce forever to get 40yo vinegar. Used 1p syrup 2p vinegar 4p evoo & some herbs de provence & crushed garlic & it was insanely good, still not exactly panera but closest I’ve ever been… Hope this helps someone else 🙂
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### Author:  [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/8 "2015-10-01T17:36:01Z")
Normally we like to drive new members out on a rail, but this is genius. Stick around Rosie. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panera-breads-balsamic-vinaigrette/651191/9 "2015-10-01T21:11:32Z")
I’ve not been to Panera but a vinaigrette trick that many people don’t know is: add a little water. This smooths out and unites the dueling flavors and can often fix a vinaigrette that is too vinegary much better than adding more oil.