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This Jennifer Aniston Salad is the perfect salad to make as part of your meal-prep. The ingredients in this salad are light and fresh and work perfectly together. The salad mixes together quinoa, chickpeas, cucumbers, red onion, pistachios and feta cheese along with a light, lemony sweet dressing. This is gluten-free and Jennifer Aniston’s favorite salad!
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JENNIFER ANISTON SALAD
I have heard about this Jennifer Aniston Salad for some time now and wanted to give it a try.
I have been trying more lately to incorporate salads into my meals everyday.
I also really like to meal prep salads on the weekends and this one holds up well all week making it great for that.
This famous jennifer aniston salad was one she posted on Instagram years ago and mentioned how much she liked it. Her original version had bulgur wheat in it which is actually what I use in Tabbouleh.
It is also a great option in this salad but I used quinoa this time.
This salad is healthy and light but also filling.
It mixes quinoa {or bulgur wheat} with crunchy cucumbers and red onions, garbanzo beans, creamy feta cheese, fresh herbs and healthy fats from the pistachios.
The salad is tossed in a lemon honey dressing that is perfect for this salad.
If you are prepping this salad ahead of time I suggest adding half of the dressing and then the remaining dressing when you serve the salad.
The salad tends to soak up the dressing otherwise.
I really enjoy using quinoa in salads.
Some of my favorite quinoa recipes are this Zucchini Chickpea Quinoa Salad, Apple Kale Quinoa Salad, Greek Quinoa Salad, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Tomato Cucumber Feta Quinoa Salad and this Tropical Kale Quinoa Salad.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN A JENNIFER ANISTON SALAD RECIPE
QUINOA
CHICKPEAS
VEGETABLES: RED ONION, LARGE ENGLISH CUCUMBER {OR TRY PERSIAN CUCUMBERS}
HERBS: MINT, PARSLEY & DILL
PISTACHIOS, SALTED AND ROASTED
FETA CHEESE
FOR THE DRESSING:
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
FRESH LEMON JUICE & LEMON ZEST
HONEY
OPTIONAL SPICES: SUMAC OR ZA’ATAR
SALT & BLACK PEPPER
HOW DO YOU MAKE THIS QUINOA SALAD
COOK THE QUINOA: In a medium saucepan add the water, vegetable broth or chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Rinse the quinoa and then add it to the boiling broth or water.
Turn the heat to low, place a lid on the pot and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, for about 10- 15 minutes.
Use a fork to fluff the cooked quinoa and add to a large mixing bowl to cool.
CHILL THE QUINOA: Once the quinoa is cool cover the quinoa and chil in the refrigerator.
ADD THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS: Add the chickpeas, red onion, cucumbers, mint, parsley, dill, pistachios and feta cheese and mix well.
MAKE THE SALAD DRESSING: In a salad dressing container or mason jar add the olive oil, lemon juice, honey and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste and the optional sumac or za’atar.
ADD THE DRESSING: Pour half of the dressing over the salad and mix well. Tatse and add more dressing to your liking.
Serve or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
WAYS TO MODIFY THIS SALAD
BEANS: This salad has chickpeas in it. You can use black beans, white beans or red beans in the place of those if you want.
VEGETABLES: There are a lot of vegetable options you can add in. Try carrots, green onion, radish, celery, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes or avocados.
GRAIN: Quinoa is the grain in this salad. It is a nice gluten-free option. You could swap that for bulgur wheat, brown rice, farro or
HERBS: This salad already uses fresh parsley, fresh dill and fresh mint. You could also add in fresh basil.
SPICES: The original Jennifer Aniston Salad doesn’t use spices but I really like adding sumac or za’atar into this. You also could try like cumin, paprika, chili powder, or red pepper flakes for added spice.
PROTEIN: You can include a protein source such as grilled chicken, salmon or shrimp.
DRIED FRUIT: To add sweetness try dried cranberries, apricots, raisins or pomegranate seeds.
NUTS & SEEDS: If you want to add a crunchy texture try almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, or seeds such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
OTHER INGREDIENTS: Some other ingredients that would be nice are lentils, goat cheese, roasted red pepper, artichokes, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes.
WHAT TO SERVE IT WITH
MOROCCAN CARROT RED LENTIL SOUP
AIR FRYER COD
LEBANESE LENTIL SOUP
MEDITERRANEAN TURKEY MEATBALLS
EASY PAN FRIED FISH
GREEK LEMON CHICKEN
GREEK MARINATED CHICKEN WITH TZATZIKI
BLACK SEA BASS
OTHER SALAD RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
LEMON ARUGULA SALAD
MEDITERRANEAN WHITE BEAN SALAD
MEDITERRANEAN FARRO SALAD
PERSIAN TOMATO CUCUMBER SALAD
GREEK CHICKPEA SALAD
EASY LEBANESE SALAD
MEDITERRANEAN BEAN SALAD
SUMMER ORZO PASTA SALAD
Yield: 4-6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
This Jennifer Aniston Salad is the perfect salad to make as part of your meal-prep. The ingredients in this salad are light and fresh and work perfectly together. The salad mixes together quinoa, chickpeas, cucumbers, red onion, pistachios and feta cheese along with a light, lemony sweet dressing. This is gluten-free and Jennifer Aniston's favorite salad!
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 cup dry quinoa {or bulgur wheat}
- 1 -1 5 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 large english cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1/2 packed cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoon dill, minced
- 1/2 cup roasted, salted pistachios, chopped
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- salt and pepper, to taste
FOR THE DRESSING
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lemons, juiced + zest of 1/2 the lemon
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- salt & pepper to taste
- optional: 1 teaspoon sumar or za'atar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add the water, vegetable broth or chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Rinse the quinoa and then add it to the boiling broth or water.
- Turn the heat to low, place a lid on the pot and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, for about 10- 15 minutes.
- Use a fork to fluff the cooked quinoa and add to a large mixing bowl to cool.
- Once the quinoa is cool cover the quinoa and chil in the refrigerator.
- Add the chickpeas, red onion, cucumbers, mint, parsley, dill, pistachios and feta cheese and mix well.
- In a salad dressing container or mason jar add the olive oil, lemon juice, honey and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste and the optional sumac or za'atar.
- Pour half of the dressing over the salad and mix well. Tatse and add more dressing to your liking.
- Serve or store in an air tight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
If you aren't serving the salad right away I suggest just adding half of the dressing and saving the remaining dressing when you serve the salad.
You can sub the pistachios with sliced almonds, pine nuts, sesame seeds or walnuts.
You can leave the feta cheese out or use goat cheese.
Related Posts:
- Mediterranean Farro Salad
- Italian Pasta Mason Jar Salad
- Curried Quinoa Salad
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introducing the Jennifer Aniston Salad: A Healthy and Delicious Meal-Prep Option
As an enthusiast in the field of cooking and nutrition, I have extensive knowledge and experience with various recipes and dietary choices. I believe in the importance of incorporating healthy and flavorful ingredients into our meals, and one recipe that exemplifies this is the Jennifer Aniston Salad.
The Jennifer Aniston Salad is a light, fresh, and nutritious salad that is perfect for meal-prep. It is a favorite of Jennifer Aniston, an actress known for her healthy lifestyle. The salad features a combination of ingredients that work harmoniously together to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
Key Ingredients and Dressing
The Jennifer Aniston Salad includes the following main ingredients:
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Quinoa: Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that is packed with protein and essential nutrients. It adds a hearty and filling element to the salad.
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Chickpeas: Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. They provide a satisfying texture and contribute to the overall nutritional value of the salad.
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Vegetables: The salad incorporates refreshing and crunchy vegetables such as red onion and cucumber. These vegetables add a burst of freshness and contribute to the salad's vibrant colors.
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Herbs: Fresh herbs like mint, parsley, and dill are included in the salad to enhance the flavor profile and add a touch of brightness.
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Pistachios: Pistachios provide a satisfying crunch and a healthy dose of healthy fats. They add a unique flavor and texture to the salad.
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Feta Cheese: Feta cheese adds a creamy and tangy element to the salad. It pairs well with the other ingredients and contributes to the overall taste.
The salad is dressed with a light and lemony sweet dressing, which includes extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and optional spices like sumac or za'atar. This dressing complements the flavors of the salad and adds a delightful tanginess.
How to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad
To make the Jennifer Aniston Salad, follow these simple steps:
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Cook the quinoa: Rinse the quinoa and then add it to a saucepan with vegetable broth or chicken broth. Simmer until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and let it cool.
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Chill the quinoa: Once the quinoa is cool, cover it and refrigerate it. This step helps to maintain the freshness of the salad.
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Add the remaining ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled quinoa with chickpeas, red onion, cucumbers, mint, parsley, dill, pistachios, and feta cheese. Mix well to ensure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
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Make the dressing: In a salad dressing container or mason jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, and optional spices. Mix well to create a flavorful dressing.
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Add the dressing: Pour half of the dressing over the salad and mix well. Taste the salad and add more dressing according to your preference.
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Serve or store: You can serve the Jennifer Aniston Salad immediately, or store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If you're meal-prepping, it's recommended to add only half of the dressing initially and save the remaining dressing to add when you serve the salad.
Modifications and Serving Suggestions
The Jennifer Aniston Salad is versatile and can be customized to suit individual preferences. Here are some modifications you can make:
- Beans: Instead of chickpeas, you can use black beans, white beans, or red beans.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, green onion, radish, celery, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, or avocados for added variety and nutrition.
- Grain: If you prefer a different grain, you can substitute quinoa with bulgur wheat, brown rice, farro, or any other grain of your choice.
- Herbs: While the salad already includes fresh parsley, dill, and mint, you can experiment with other herbs like basil to add different flavors.
- Spices: Consider adding spices like sumac, za'atar, cumin, paprika, chili powder, or red pepper flakes to enhance the taste and add a touch of spiciness.
- Protein: To boost the protein content of the salad, you can include grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or any other protein source of your preference.
- Dried Fruit: If you enjoy a touch of sweetness, you can add dried cranberries, apricots, raisins, or pomegranate seeds to the salad.
- Nuts & Seeds: For added crunch, try incorporating almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds into the salad.
- Other Ingredients: Lentils, goat cheese, roasted red pepper, artichokes, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes can also be great additions to further enhance the flavor and texture of the salad.
The Jennifer Aniston Salad can be enjoyed on its own or paired with other dishes. Some serving suggestions include Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup, Air Fryer Cod, Lebanese Lentil Soup, Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs, Easy Pan-Fried Fish, Greek Lemon Chicken, Greek Marinated Chicken with Tzatziki, or Black Sea Bass.
Conclusion
The Jennifer Aniston Salad is a delicious and healthy option for meal-prep. Its combination of fresh ingredients, flavorful dressing, and customizable variations make it a versatile and satisfying choice. Whether you're looking to incorporate more salads into your meals or trying to follow a gluten-free diet, this salad is a must-try. Give it a go and enjoy a nutritious and tasty meal!
