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You are here: Home / Recipes / Salad

Copycat Panera Spinach and Bacon Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

📋 Modified: Aug 17, 2024 Published: Jan 13, 2021 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Our Copycat Panera Spinach and Bacon Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing brings the flavors of a classic restaurant favorite right into your kitchen. This recipe is perfect for busy parents seeking a quick, healthy meal. Learn how to make this salad that's sure to become a staple in your home.

Spinach salad in large white bowl topped with bacon mushrooms and eggs

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A warm bacon and spinach salad is a delicious blend of fresh spinach, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, and red onion, all tossed in a warm, savory bacon dressing. This salad is not only rich in flavor but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect choice for a healthy meal.

If you like this salad recipe, you may also love our Healthy Cobb Salad Recipe for Meal Prep or our Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Salad with Creamy Buttermilk Dressing.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Copycat Panera Spinach and Bacon Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Related
  • More Salad Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Flavor: The combination of crispy bacon and fresh spinach is simply irresistible.
  • Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with vitamins and protein, this salad is a great option for a nutritious meal.
  • Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights, this salad comes together in just 30 minutes.
  • Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe with your favorite ingredients and variations.

Ingredients

  • Spinach: Fresh and washed, providing a nutrient-rich base.
  • Eggs: Hard-boiled and sliced, adding protein and richness.
  • Bacon: Crispy and savory, offering a delicious crunch.
  • Mushrooms: Adds an earthy flavor.
  • Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a mild, tangy bite.
  • Pine Nuts: Toasted for a nutty flavor and added texture.
  • Warm Bacon Salad Dressing: Olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar create a warm, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Copycat Panera Spinach and Bacon Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

STEP ONE: Prepare the Eggs

Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain, cool in ice water, peel, and slice.

STEP TWO: Prepare the Bacon

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.

STEP THREE: Sauté the Mushrooms and Onion (Optional)

Add sliced mushrooms and red onion to the skillet with reserved bacon fat. Sauté over medium heat until mushrooms are browned and onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

STEP FOUR: Make the Dressing and Assemble

In the same skillet with reserved bacon fat, add olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Whisk over medium heat until well combined and bubbly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a large bowl, combine spinach, sautéed mushrooms, red onion, crumbled bacon, and toasted pine nuts. Pour warm dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Top with sliced eggs.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Bacon: Substitute with turkey bacon or a plant-based bacon alternative for a healthier or vegetarian option.
  • Red Wine Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar for a different flavor.
  • Pine Nuts: Swap with toasted almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for variety.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach fresh and crisp.
✔️ DO Toast the pine nuts carefully to avoid burning.
✔️ DO Use fresh spinach and high-quality bacon.

Storage

Store any leftover warm bacon and spinach salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This dish is not freezer-friendly.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make the warm bacon dressing in advance?

Yes, you can make the warm bacon dressing in advance. Simply cook the bacon and prepare the dressing, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, reheat the dressing gently on the stove or in the microwave until warm before tossing with the spinach salad.

What can I use instead of bacon for a vegetarian option in the spinach salad?

For a vegetarian version of the spinach salad, you can substitute the bacon with plant-based bacon alternatives. These options provide a similar texture and smoky flavor without the meat.

How do I keep spinach salad from getting soggy when making ahead?

To prevent the spinach salad from getting soggy when making ahead, store all ingredients separately. Keep the spinach, cooked bacon, mushrooms, red onion, and dressing in separate containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad just before serving and toss with the warm dressing to maintain crispness.

Related

  • Hearts of Palm Salad
  • Soft Boiled Egg and Avocado Salad
  • Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad
  • Chopped Greek Salad
  • Classic Waldorf Salad

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Did You Like This Spinach and Bacon Salad Recipe?

  • Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating if think this Panera copycat salad recipe is amazing!

📖 Recipe

warm bacon and spinach salad in white bowl with all of the toppings

Copycat Panera Spinach and Bacon Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

Jami Powell
Our Copycat Panera Spinach and Bacon Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing brings the flavors of a classic restaurant favorite right into your kitchen. This recipe is perfect for busy parents seeking a quick, healthy meal. Learn how to make this salad that's sure to become a staple in your home.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 398 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups fresh spinach washed and dried
  • 4 large eggs
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1 cup mushrooms sliced
  • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup pine nuts

Warm Bacon Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover them with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and cool in ice water. Peel and slice the eggs.
  • In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to drain. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet.
  • Optional Step: Add the sliced mushrooms and red onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Sauté over medium heat until the mushrooms are browned and the onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  • In a small dry skillet, toast the pine nuts over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
  • In the same skillet with the reserved bacon fat, add olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Whisk over medium heat until the dressing begins to bubble and is well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a large bowl, combine the spinach, sautéed mushrooms, red onion, crumbled bacon, and toasted pine nuts. Pour the warm dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
  • Divide the salad among four plates. Top each serving with sliced egg. Serve immediately while warm.

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Notes

Storage Store any leftover warm bacon and spinach salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freeze This dish is not freezer-friendly.
Reheat Warm the bacon dressing only in the microwave.
Substitutions
  • Bacon: Substitute with turkey bacon or a plant-based bacon alternative for a healthier or vegetarian option.
  • Red Wine Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar for a different flavor.
  • Pine Nuts: Swap with toasted almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for variety.
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.
Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition

Calories: 398kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 15gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 193mgSodium: 407mgPotassium: 572mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 4477IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

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