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TheJennifer Aniston Saladis so worth the hype! My version of this viral salad recipe is gluten free, has extra vegetables, and has an option to add your favorite protein!
By now we all know the famousJennifer Aniston Salad– the viral recipe from almost two years ago – was actually not the salad that the actress ate every single day on the set of Friends. Instead, it was something she once shared on Instagram – and listed the ingredients and called it her perfect salad.
The salad she actually ate was a version of a cobb salad, but that is a post for another day!
This healthy salad has been all over my social media feed since. But despite being someone who very clearly had a Rachel Green haircut in the 90’s and still likes to fall asleep to Friends because it’s my comfort show, I actually only tried the salad recently.
And maybe she didn’t eat it daily, but I definitely could. If you are like me and have waited to try it, wait no more! I totally agree with Jen – this is a perfect salad!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Salad
- Texture– It checks off all the salad textures for me with the crisp fresh veggies, fluffy quinoa, crunchy pistachios, and creamy feta.
- Fresh herbs– I am a sucker for anything with fresh, chopped herbs, especially mint. So bright and flavorful.
- Simple dressing– The light and fresh lemon vinaigrette is made from three ingredients I always have on hand.
- Customizable– For example, the original recipe is a little low on veggies and protein, so I added in some chopped bell pepper and served it with greens and shrimp. You could customize it to your preferences and it will still be delicious!
- Great for Meal Prep– The base of this salad is perfect for a meal prep lunch because you can add the dressing and it will still be delicious the next day!
Ingredients
Be sure to check the recipe card below for full ingredients and amounts!
For the Salad
- cooked and cooled quinoa– I have seen this recipe with both bulgur wheat and quinoa, but I am using quinoa here to keep it gluten free.
- garbanzo beans/chickpeas –Excellent source of plant based protein.
- chopped cucumbers –I used Persian cucumbers – aka the mini cucumbers – but the original recipe calls for a large english cucumber.
- red onion-Tip: soak your red onion to get rid of some of the bite.
- yellow bell pepper –Not in the original recipe, but I wanted more crunchy veggies in this salad. Yellow bell peppers are mild and sweet!
- crumbled feta cheese –Or your favorite cheese; vegan feta also works or you could leave this out.
- pistachios –Love the crunch and flavor of roasted pistachios in this salad. Also good addition of healthy fats!
- fresh parsley and fresh mint- Do not skip! The fresh herbs make this salad! (If you are like me, you can increase this to 1 cup mint!) You are looking for flat leaf parsley.
Optional for serving:
- greens –I love serving this salad over chopped spinach, arugula, or mixed greens for more veggie power.
- your favorite protein –Anything from diced chicken breasts, salmon, shrimp, tuna, tofu, hard boiled eggs, or even turkey bacon would turn this salad into a meal!
For the Lemon VinaigretteDressing:
- fresh lemon juice – The juice from about 1- 1 1/2 lemon
- extra virgin olive oil –Avocado oil would also work
- honey –Maple syrup would work for vegan
- salt and pepper – to taste
Variations
- Swap feta for goat cheese or parmesan cheese, or use your favorite vegan cheese
- Add in additional fresh herbs like fresh dill or green onionor more veggies! Tomatoes would be delish, too.
- Swap pistachios for slivered almonds, or pumpkin or sunflower seeds
- I love the simple dressing of fresh lemon and olive oil, but you could put a different spin on this salad with Italian dressing
- Swap quinoa for brown rice or wild rice
Step by Step Instructions
For the full recipe, be sure to check out the printable recipe card below.
- Make the dressing: add ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid, or small bowl, then shake or whisk to combine.
2. Add chilled quinoa to a large mixing bowl, then add chickpeas, chopped onion, chopped pepper, cucumbers, and fresh herbs.
3. Drizzle with dressing, then toss to combine. Top with pistachios and feta cheese. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
4. Serve over greens and with your favorite protein for a complete meal.
Tips for the Perfect Quinoa
- For extra flavor and protein, cook your quinoa in bone broth.
- My favorite way to cook grains is using my Instant Pot! This Instant Pot Quinoa comes out perfectly and I use the freezer tips in this post all the time. It’s awesome to be able to grab cooked quinoa for salads or a quick side dish.
- This recipe works best with quinoa that has cooled after cooking. If you need to cool quinoa quickly after cooking, spread it out on a sheet pan and place it in the freezer or refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Meal Prep and Storage
- Even with the dressing on it, this salad holds up well for 3-4 days after prepping, so it’s awesome for meal prep. Be sure to place it in an airtight container in your refrigerator.
- Keep all protein and greens in separate containers or ziplock bags until you are ready to serve.
- This would also work well as a mason jar salad. Place the base of the recipe at the bottom of the jar, then layer protein of your choice on top. Then add your chopped greens. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
If you like this salad recipe, try one of these next:
Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Italian Chopped Salad
Gluten Free Orzo Salad
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating & a review in the comments section! We love hearing from you!
Jennifer Aniston Salad
Author: Nancylynn
TheJennifer Aniston Saladis so worth the hype! My version of this viral salad recipe is gluten free, has extra vegetables, and has an option to add your favorite protein!
5 from 5 votes
Servings : 4
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 cup quinoa cooked
- 15 oz chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 2 cups cucumbers chopped, I used persian
- ½ cup red onion minced; soak to get rid of the bite
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced small
- ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbled
- ⅓ cup roasted salted pistachios chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves finely chopped
Optional for serving:
- 1-2 cups chopped spinach and/or arugula optional for serving
- 3 cups your favorite protein diced chicken, shrimp, etc.
For the lemon dressing:
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the dressing: Add ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid, or small bowl, then shake or whisk to combine.
Add chilled quinoa to a large mixing bowl, then add chickpeas, remaining veggies, and fresh herbs.
Drizzle with dressing, then toss to combine. Top with pistachios and feta cheese. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Serve over greens and with your favorite protein for a complete meal.
Leave a comment and star rating if you loved the recipe! Thank you! 💕
Notes
21 Day Fix: 1 YELLOW, 1 ¼ GREEN (plus more if you add chopped greens), 1 ORANGE, 1 BLUE (per salad)
WW: without dressing – 5 points (per salad); with dressing – 10 points (per salad) [Calculated without optional greens or protein]
Nutrition
Calories: 486kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 18gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 809mgFiber: 12gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 1740IUVitamin C: 80mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 6mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag @confessionsofafitfoodie on Instagram and hashtag it #confessionsofafitfoodie!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Alicia Bradshaw says
Does adding chicken to the salad count towards a “red” if you’re doing 21 Day Fix?
Reply
Nancylynn says
Yep! 3/4 cup diced cooked chicken would count as 1 RED
Reply
Karen says
Can’t wait to try this! What size can of garbanzo beans? 15 oz?
Reply
Nancylynn says
Yes! Can’t wait for you to try it!
Reply
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert and enthusiast assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Jennifer Aniston Salad
The Jennifer Aniston Salad gained popularity as a viral recipe a couple of years ago. It was initially believed to be the salad that Jennifer Aniston ate every day on the set of Friends. However, it was later clarified that the viral recipe was something she shared on Instagram and called it her perfect salad. The salad she actually ate on a regular basis was a version of a cobb salad [[1]].
Ingredients
The Jennifer Aniston Salad is known for its delicious combination of flavors and textures. Here are the main ingredients typically used in the salad:
- Cooked and cooled quinoa: Quinoa is used as the base of the salad, providing a fluffy and nutritious component.
- Garbanzo beans/chickpeas: These legumes are an excellent source of plant-based protein.
- Chopped cucumbers: Persian cucumbers are commonly used, but you can use any type of cucumber.
- Red onion: Soaking the red onion helps to reduce its strong flavor.
- Yellow bell pepper: This adds a mild and sweet crunch to the salad.
- Crumbled feta cheese: Feta cheese is used for its creamy and tangy flavor. Vegan feta can also be used as an alternative.
- Pistachios: Roasted pistachios provide a delightful crunch and add healthy fats to the salad.
- Fresh parsley and fresh mint: These fresh herbs contribute to the vibrant and flavorful profile of the salad.
- Optional for serving: Greens and your favorite protein. You can serve the salad over chopped spinach, arugula, or mixed greens. Additionally, you can add your preferred protein source such as diced chicken breasts, salmon, shrimp, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, or turkey bacon [[1]].
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
The dressing for the Jennifer Aniston Salad is a simple and light lemon vinaigrette. Here's how to make it:
- Fresh lemon juice: The juice from about 1-1 1/2 lemons.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Avocado oil can also be used as an alternative.
- Honey: Provides a touch of sweetness. Maple syrup can be used as a vegan alternative.
- Salt and pepper: To taste [[1]].
Variations and Tips
The Jennifer Aniston Salad is highly customizable. Here are some variations and tips you can consider:
- Cheese: You can swap feta for goat cheese or parmesan cheese, or use your favorite vegan cheese.
- Additional herbs and veggies: You can add in fresh dill, green onion, or tomatoes for extra flavor and variety.
- Nuts and seeds: If you're not a fan of pistachios, you can swap them for slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.
- Dressing variation: While the original recipe uses a simple lemon vinaigrette, you can experiment with different dressings like Italian dressing.
- Grain substitution: If you prefer, you can swap quinoa for brown rice or wild rice.
- Meal prep and storage: The Jennifer Aniston Salad holds up well for 3-4 days after prepping, making it suitable for meal prep. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep the protein and greens separate until you're ready to serve. It can also be prepared as a mason jar salad, layering the ingredients for easy grab-and-go meals [[1]].
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts mentioned in the article. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
