Want to eat at Panera, but you’re unsure if it’s safe? In this article, I’ll dissect Panera’s gluten-free menu and help you make an informed decision about whether or not you can safely eat at Panera. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.
You may be wondering if it’s safe to eat at Panera Bread if you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy, or cannot eat gluten for other health reasons.
Panera literally means “bread”, and well, for most people on a gluten-free diet, “bread” is another word for gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye or sometimes oats.
In this post, I’ll share with you more about how Panera prepares its food, so you can make an informed decision about the safety of eating here. I’ll also discuss Panera’s gluten-free menu items, how to minimize your risk of cross contamatination, and how several dishes fared when put to the Nima Sensor test.
The Nima Sensor is a portable gluten-detecting device that enables you to test a small portion of your food for hidden gluten. It’s not a substitute for lazy ordering. More on this gluten-detecting device in a bit.
Panera Bread’s hearty turkey chili has become a popular menu item for many gluten-free diners. This protein-packed soup features tender ground turkey fiber-rich beans, and bold spices – all simmered together into a satisfying chili. But the big question is can you truly enjoy Panera’s turkey chili gluten-free? I’ve done some digging to find out.
As someone who follows a strict gluten-free diet I know how tricky dining out can be. Cross-contamination is a constant concern. So I was eager to learn if Panera Bread’s turkey chili could fit into my gluten-free lifestyle.
After looking into it, the short answer is yes – Panera’s turkey chili can be considered gluten-free. However those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities need to be more cautious. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what I learned
Panera’s Stance on Gluten-Free
First, let’s look at Panera Bread’s overall approach to gluten-free menu options. The chain has made efforts to accommodate gluten-free diners, but they don’t make any guarantees.
On their website, Panera states that their kitchens are not gluten-free environments. All foods are prepared in shared cooking and preparation areas. So there is always a risk of cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients.
However, Panera does have a “Gluten Conscious” menu featuring items that don’t inherently contain gluten. The turkey chili is included on this menu. Panera makes it clear that these options are not certified gluten-free. But they can be suitable for those who are less sensitive to trace amounts of gluten.
The Turkey Chili’s Ingredients
I checked the Panera Bread allergen menu for the turkey chili’s ingredients. It does not contain any wheat or gluten-based ingredients.
The chili’s main components include:
- Ground turkey
- Onions
- Beans (pinto and kidney)
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato puree
- Spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder
Panera prepares their turkey chili using dedicated utensils and pots. So the ingredients themselves should be gluten-free.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Even though the turkey chili’s ingredients are gluten-free, cross-contamination is still possible in Panera’s shared kitchens.
The utensils, pots, preparation areas, and serving stations may come into contact with gluten-containing foods at other times.
So while the turkey chili does not contain gluten, trace amounts could potentially get introduced during the cooking process or while being served.
Those with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerances may react negatively to even tiny traces of gluten. So this is something to consider when deciding whether to eat the turkey chili.
Other “Gluten-Conscious” Choices at Panera
If you want to take extra precaution, Panera has other gluten-free and “gluten-conscious” choices beyond turkey chili:
- Salads – Green Goddess Cobb, Fuji Apple Chicken, and Greek salads
- Smoothies – Strawberry Banana, Mango, and Green Passion
- Breakfast – Oatmeal, yogurt and fruit bowls
- Soups – Vegetarian Autumn Squash soup
While not certified gluten-free, these menu items don’t contain gluten ingredients and may have a lower risk of cross-contamination as they don’t require extensive cooking or preparation.
Panera also offers gluten-free bread, bagels, and wraps to build your own sandwich creations.
Precautions for Gluten-Sensitive Diners
If you choose to eat Panera’s turkey chili or other “gluten-conscious” options, there are some precautions you can take to further minimize exposure:
- Ask if they can use fresh gloves, utensils, and serving containers
- Choose bowls over bread bowls
- Avoid eating when they are prepping wheat-heavy orders
- Check ingredients for seasonal menu changes
Being vigilant about cross-contamination risks is key if you are highly sensitive. You may even want to call ahead to ask questions about their safety procedures.
The Verdict on Panera’s Turkey Chili
Based on Panera Bread’s ingredient information and food prep policies, their turkey chili can likely be eaten gluten-free by those with minor to moderate gluten sensitivities.
However, Panera’s kitchens are not certified gluten-free. So individuals with celiac disease or severe intolerances should use caution and consult their doctor before eating the chili or other “gluten-conscious” options.
While not 100% guaranteed gluten-free, Panera Bread does aim to accommodate gluten-free diners to the best of their abilities. Their turkey chili makes for a hearty soup containing no core gluten ingredients. Just be vigilant about the risk of cross-contamination depending on your sensitivity levels.
Overall, Panera’s turkey chili can be considered a reasonably safe gluten-free choice with proper precautions. It provides a delicious dining option for those eager for a cozy bowl of chili but avoiding gluten. As someone who sticks to a strict gluten-free diet, I appreciate Panera’s efforts to cater to food sensitivities like mine. Their turkey chili will definitely be on my order next time I’m there!
Dissecting Panera’s Gluten-Free Menu
Knowing there is a strong risk for cross contamination when you eat a Panera, you may still feel comfortable eating there. No judgement here. I’ve eaten at Panera several times, although it’s far from my first, second or third choice.
There are several items on the Panera gluten-free menu that are okay to eat as long as you take the proper precautions.
Of course, before ordering, ask your server for the latest gluten-free menu as recipes and menu items change seasonally at Panera.
When I asked my server at the front counter what menu items are gluten free, she told me about just a few items. However, upon further inquiry, she said several items could be made gluten free with a few modifications.
If there’s something you’re curious about, such as a soup or salad, ask your server (or better yet, the manager) if it can be made gluten free with modifications, such as a salad without croutons.
I also encourage you to review what Panera says about “avoiding gluten” at its restaurants. It publishes this information on its website.
Here’s what the website says, “When you are following a gluten-free or gluten-conscious diet, it’s important to know what your menu options are before you order your meal. As long as you don’t have celiac disease, a heightened gluten sensitivity, or a wheat allergy (in which case you should check with your doctor), we’ve got some great Panera menu options that are made with ingredients that do not contain gluten, and could be just what you’re looking for.”
Notice how Panera outright says you shouldn’t eat here if you have celiac disease, a “heightened” gluten sensitivity, or wheat allergy? Most of us should take heed to this advice.
Again, if you still want to eat at Panera after the restaurant told you not to, you do have a few options. Remember, new items are added all the time, and this list may not be up-to-date.
Salads:
- Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
- Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with Chicken
- Greek Salad
- Greek Salad with Chicken
- Seasonal Greens Salad
- Seasonal Greens with Chicken
- Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken
- Modern Greek Salad with Quinoa
- Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad
- Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken
- Southwest Chile Lime Ranch Salad with Chicken
- Caesar Salad (Customization: Order without croutons)
- Caesar Salad with Chicken (Customization: Order without croutons)
Soups:
- Vegetarian Summer Corn Chowder
- Turkey Chili with Beans
- Baked Potato Soup
- Vegetarian Autumn Squash Soup
- Vegetarian Creamy Tomato Soup (Customization: Order without croutons)
Sides:
- Kettle Chips
- Apple
- Banana
- Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad
Beverages:
- Coffee, Cold Brew, Tea, Lattes, Espresso Drinks & Frozen Drinks
- Signature Hot Chocolate: Order without marshmallows
- Green Passion Smoothie
- Mango Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
- Peach & Blueberry Smoothie with Almond Milk
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
- Strawberry Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
- Superfruit Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
- Apple Juice & Orange Juice
- Lemonade
- Agave Lemonade
- Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
- Milk
- Soda
Do not order anything that contains oats, as Panera explicitly says on its website it does not use gluten-free oats.
Oats are notoriously contaminated with bits of wheat unless labeled “gluten free.” You can learn more about the risk of eating oats in my article, Are Oats Gluten Free?
Off-limit foods due to the inclusion of oats include all warm grain bowls, breakfast oatmeal, and Greek yogurt and berries (granola).
Also, avoid Panera’s “gluten conscious” cookies no matter how tempting they look as they are baked on the same surfaces used to bake gluten-containing baked goods, and they’re stored in the same display case.
This means you should avoid both the Coconut Macaroon and Triple Chocolate Cookie with Walnuts.
How Panera Prepares Products Made with Gluten
I want to first share how Panera prepares its food, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to eat here when following a strict gluten-free diet.
I know this information because my husband used to work for Panera, and he’s given me the inside scoop.
Panera has central “fresh dough facilities” located in each of the metro areas where it has cafes. At each fresh dough facility, bakers make the dough, from scratch, and prepare it to be delivered to the local cafes each morning. When I say morning, I actually mean in the wee hours of the night.
Each restaurant employs a baker who bakes the delivered dough inside each Panera location every morning. If you’ve ever walked into a Panera, particularly in the early AM, you will definitely whiff fresh baked bread.
This is good and bad news for someone who cannot eat gluten.
It’s good news because there isn’t a whole lot of dusty flour floating around at each bakery cafe since the dough is prepared at a fresh dough facility. Unlike a pizza restaurant where flour is being tossed into the air every few minutes, the dough is not made directly inside the Panera restaurant.
On the other hand, it’s also bad news because, well, with all the bread being baked up daily, there are breadcrumbs galore at each Panera. You’ll find bits of gluten everywhere, particularly near the bread and bagel slicers, and plenty of cross contamination to make you sick at many points throughout the restaurant’s kitchen.
PANERA BREAD ALL NATURAL TURKEY CHILI REVIEW AND NUTRITION FACTS | Must Or Bust
FAQ
Is Panera’s turkey chili gluten free?
The Turkey Chili at Panera Bread does not contain any gluten ingredients, but it is not certified gluten-free.Nov 16, 2023
What at Panera is gluten free?
- Creamy chicken and wild rice soup: Available as a gluten-free soup cup
- Chicken tortilla soup: Made with white meat chicken, poblano peppers, corn, black beans, and chile peppers
- Mexican street corn chowder: Made with fire-roasted corn, poblano peppers, and potatoes
What’s in Panera Bread turkey chili?
Turkey Chili. A hearty blend of dark-meat turkey raised without antibiotics and chickpeas and kidney beans slow cooked in an ancho and pasilla stock with tomatillos, tomatoes, edamame, carrots, cilantro, cumin and lime.
Is Panera turkey chili soup healthy?
Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Filled with protein from the lean turkey, fiber from the beans, and a variety of vegetables, Panera Bread’s Turkey Chili is a nutrient-dense option that not only tastes great but also provides essential nutrients for a well-rounded meal.