Why you’ll love this copycat Panera Mediterranean veggie sandwich recipe
I’m convinced the inventor of the sandwich was an absolute genius.
I mean, how can you compete with a handheld version of your favorite meal?
You can pretty much put anything between two slices of bread and voilà, you’ve got a sandwich!
This 10-minute sandwich packs so much flavor between two slices of bread, it’s a winner indeed!
This cold sandwich is not only quick and easy to make, it’s also vegan-friendly as written and can be made gluten-free too simply by using gluten-free bread.
This homemade Mediterranean veggie sandwich recipe is sure to become your new favorite!
I’m convinced it’s the perfect vegetarian sandwich. 🙂
What is on the Mediterranean sandwich from Panera?
In Panera’s version, the sandwich consists of two slices of tomato basil bread, a generous amount of hummus, feta cheese crumbles, cucumbers, a green leaf lettuce blend (called emerald greens), tomatoes, red onion, and Peppadew peppers.
Ingredients you’ll need for this copycat version
- Whole Grain Bread (such as Dave’s Killer Bread whole wheat bread or one of their other varieties, or use a gluten-free bread if needed; I used a brown rice bread from my favorite local café)
- Hummus (store-bought or your own hummus; I prefer to use plain or roasted garlic, but feel free to use your favorite flavor of hummus; if you don’t like tahini, you can try our basic tahini-free hummus)
- Vegan Feta Crumbles (such as Violife or Follow Your Heart, or you can make your own tofu feta at home; you can also use traditional dairy-based feta if not vegan or avoiding dairy)
- Green Leaf Lettuce (you can substitute red leaf lettuce or butterhead if preferred)
- Tomato Slices (you can use any type of tomato that you’d like)
- Jarred Roasted Red Peppers (if you prefer, you can use jarred sweet cherry peppers or the Peppadew brand sweet piquanté peppers like Panera does, which you may be able to find at your local supermarket or grocery store; I have seen them at the olive bar at Whole Foods)
- Cucumber Slices (I used an English cucumber, but you can use a mini cucumber or any other type that you’d like)
- Red Onion Slices
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make this Panera copycat Mediterranean veggie sandwich
The first thing you’re going to do is toast the bread to your liking.
You can skip toasting if you prefer your bread not toasted.
Spread half of the hummus on one of the slices of bread.
Repeat with the other bread slice.
Sprinkle on half of the feta crumbles onto one of the slices of bread.
Layer the remaining ingredients over top of the feta starting with the lettuce followed by the tomato slices, red onion, roasted red peppers, and cucumber slices.
Sprinkle on the remaining feta crumbles.
Top with the other slice of bread.
Ideas for serving
This flavorful sandwich is perfect alone, but you can also serve the whole sandwich with your favorite chips or with a fruit cup.
You can also make it a meal for 2 by serving each half of the Mediterranean veggie sandwich with a cup of soup (such as creamy tomato soup or white bean soup).
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread (gluten-free if needed)
- 2 heaping tablespoons hummus
- 2 tablespoons vegan feta crumbles (such as Violife or Follow Your Heart; you can use traditional feta if not vegan or avoiding dairy)
- 2 pieces green leaf lettuce (can substitute red leaf lettuce or butterhead)
- 2-3 tomato slices
- 2 thin red onion slices, cut into strips
- ¼ cup jarred roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips
- 5 thin cucumber slices
Instructions
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Toast the bread to your liking or skip if you prefer the bread not toasted.
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Spread half of the hummus on one side of one slice of bread. Repeat with the other slice.
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Sprinkle on half of the feta crumbles onto one of the slices of bread.
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Layer the remaining ingredients over top of the feta starting with the lettuce followed by the tomato slices, red onion, roasted red peppers, and cucumber slices. Sprinkle on the remaining feta crumbles.
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Top with the other slice of bread.
