Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe with Quinoa (2024)

Salad lovers and meal-preppers will love this fabulous Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe. Guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied, this easy salad recipe is a delightful combination of quinoa, red onion, cucumbers and fresh herbs in a tangy dressing. The crunchy pistachios take it to a whole new level.

This viral TikTok salad is a salad that’s as tasty as it is good for you. Let’s dive in!

What is the famous Jennifer Aniston Salad?

‘The Back Story’

The “Jennifer Aniston salad” is a famous celebrity salad associated with Jennifer Aniston, known for her healthy lifestyle. It gained popularity as a viral recipe on social media, and its connection to Jennifer Aniston is linked to her role in the cast of Friends, alongside Lisa Kudrow.

The story was that they ate this salad, on the set of friends…. every day!!

I found it funny that after this recipe went viral, Jennifer Aniston said that it wasn’t actually the exact salad she ate everyday… and it may have actually been a version of a Cobb salad, made with iceberg lettuce.

So, did she create it? Maybe, or maybe not but either way, we think this salad tastes delicious!! Ever since I tried it, I’ve been hooked!

The viral salad salad recipe, or the ‘real salad’ is made with bulgur and we substituted quinoa, which we thought was perfect!

Quinoa is the base of the salad and it’s filled with fresh vegetables, feta cheese and healthy fats. Pistachios add the perfect crunch to this salad. I think you’re going to love it!

This easy salad recipe is a great side dish for grilled chicken or fish, or on it’s own for lunch on busy weekdays.

As a full-time food blogger, I love having this salad in the fridge for a quick, healthy lunch when I’m working at my computer.

Why you’ll love Jennifer Aniston Salad

• perfect salad for meal prep – I love making this salad at the beginning of the week and having it for lunch on busy days. It stays nice and fresh for up to four days.
• healthy ingredients – and all of the fresh veggies give this salad a nice crunch
• quick and easy to make and requires no fancy equipment
• easy to make dressing with fresh lemon juice

If you love salad recipes, try these next!

Green Goddess Salad Recipe

Orzo Pesto Salad

Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

‘The Salad’ – my personal go-to favorite

Ingredients for Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you should always be able to find in your local grocery store.

Use fresh ingredients for this recipe.

• Chicken stock, vegetable stock OR water
• Quinoa – use whatever quinoa you have on hand. You can also substite bulgur.
• Chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) add delicious protein in this salad. You could also substitute white beans, black beans or pinto beans.
• English cucumber – or substitute Persian cucumbers, also known as mini cucumbers.
• Red onion – if you’re not a fan of red onion, you can subsitute sweet Vidalia onions.
• Fresh Parsley – you can use curly or flat-leaf parsley, either works great.
• Fresh mint leaves – the first time I made this recipe, I was concerned that the fresh mint might overpower the salad, but it does not! The mint is absolutely delicious and adds a layer of flavor to the salad.
• Roasted salted pistachios – in many ways, these are the star of the show. They add crunch and flavor. Buy them shelled and if you need to cut down the sodium, you can buy them unsalted as well.
• Feta cheese – I like to use feta packed in water and crumble it on my own. You can also buy feta cheese pre-crumbled in the cheese section.
• Salt & Pepper – opt for sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Fresh lemon juice – bottled lemon juice simply won’t cut it in this recipe. Fresh lemons in this simple dressing are the best!
• Olive oil – use extra virgin olive oil if you have it, or whatever olive oil you have on hand.
• Honey – I loved the honey in this dressing. You could also subsitute maple syrup.

Can I use bulgur in this salad?

Sure! The original recipe was made with bulgur and it is a great option for this salad.

How to Make Jennifer Aniston Salad – Step by Step Instructions

You can find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this page. I like to include some photos with tips along the way to ensure success with every recipe.

STEP 1 – MAKE THE QUINOA

You can use water, vegetable stock or chicken stock when you’re cooking the quinoa. Bring water or stock to a boil, add the quiona, and turn heat down to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes.

The water should be completely absorbed and the quinoa will be tender.

Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl to cool. Set aside.

STEP 2 – MAKE THE LEMON DRESSING

I like to do this while the quinoa is cooking and it takes only a few minutes.

Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper to large bowl and whisk together. You can alternatively, put all of the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until emulsified.

Tip: When making the salad for meal prep, use 3/4 of the dressing and refrigerate the left. Place serving of salad in a small bowl and toss with a tablespoon or two of the dressing.

STEP 3 – MIX THE SALAD

To the large bowl with the cooked quinoa, add the chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, fresh parsley, fresh mint, crumbled feta cheese, pistachio and salt and pepper.

STEP 4 – DRIZZLE THE DRESSING AND STIR

Give the dressing a stir, then drizzle over salad and stir gently. Start with 3/4 of the dressing, taste and add more if desired. Serve & enjoy!

Storage Instructions

Store leftover salad (and dressing) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.

What else could I add to Jennifer Aniston’s Salad?

Any of the following would be great additions to this salad:

Change up the veggies – add in some halved cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, or chopped green onions.

Add a touch of sweetness – Instead of adding more honey to the dressing to sweeten it up, sprinkle some dried cranberries on top.

Swap out the cheese – use goat cheese in place of feta cheese.

Try different nuts – toasted pecans, walnuts or slivered almonds would be perfect choices if you wanted to substitute the pistachios.

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