Jennifer Aniston Salad (2024)

The mega-trendy Jennifer Aniston Saladis a powerhouse salad combining quinoa (or barley) with chickpeas, herbs, veggies, pistachios, feta cheese, and a simple lemon vinaigrette. You’ve gotta try it!

What Is The Jennifer Aniston Salad?

In collaboration with a company on Instagram, Jennifer Aniston created and shared a salad recipe that she proclaimed to be her ideal salad combining barley, chickpeas, herbs, pistachios, and feta. Versions of this salad have gone viral all over TikTok.

What Did Jennifer Aniston Eat Every Day On The Set of Friends?

(And did Jennifer Aniston eat the same salad every day?!)

Even though this is described as her ideal salad, it’s actually not the legendary salad she ate every single day during the filming of the Friends TV series. Jennifer’s co-star, Courtney Cox, shared with the LA times that she, Lisa Kudrow (another co-star), and Jennifer enjoyed a Cobb Salad together for lunch every single day.

(More on this: read the Jennifer Aniston salad interview confiding that the viral Tiktok salad isn’t actually the one she ate daily.)

So, while this salad recipe is not the salad she ate every day for nearly 10 years, it is her dream salad recipe NOW, and the recipe that has taken the internet by storm. We, of course, added a few of our own tweaks and might just eat this daily for the next few months. 😉

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The Jennifer Aniston Salad TikTok Trend

A lot of viral Tiktok recipes can be, well, hit or miss. But not this one! Not only can I get behind it, but I’m also pretty obsessed with it!

It’s fresh, flavorful, textural, and packed with good nutritious ingredients. No wonder Jennifer loves it!

Is The Jennifer Aniston Salad Healthy?

This salad is a powerhouse of great ingredients. Not only do I think quinoa tastes amazing, but it’s also considered a superfood – meaning it’s exceptionally nutritious for you. It is high in fiber and protein and one of the most nutrient-dense carbohydrate sources. Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, making them very satiating. There are loads of other benefits from the ingredients in this recipe.

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What Is In The Jennifer Aniston Salad?

This salad combines cooked quinoa, chickpeas, veggies, herbs, pistachios, and feta. More details on the ingredients are shown below and we’ll chat about the dressing further down in this post.

  • Cooked quinoa: (Here’s how to cook quinoa.) We love tri-colored quinoa best and for a nice shortcut, you can use Microwaveable Packaged Quinoa. Microwaveable quinoa is already cooked and just needs to be heated.
  • Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans (they’re one and the same). If you don’t love chickpeas, try white beans instead.
  • Fresh herbs: We love parsley and mint, but you could use just one herb if preferred. Another nice option here is fresh basil.
  • Red onion: If you’re sensitive to the flavor of raw red onion, soak the diced onions in salted ice water for 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly before adding.
  • Pistachios: Dry-roasted and salted is our favorite here — tons more flavor without extra work on your end. If you are using raw nuts, we recommend roasting them first for better texture and flavor in this Jennifer Aniston Salad.
  • Cucumber: We recommend Persian (sometimes labeled as mini cucumbers) or English cucumbers. These cucumbers are nearly seedless and very crisp (instead of watery) with a sweeter flavor.
  • Feta: Feel free to leave this out if you wish. Goat cheese is another really nice and flavorful option in this salad.
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QUICK TIP

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is an ancient seed that’s often called a grain because of the way it cooks. It’s higher in protein than regular grains, and that’s what makes it such a great vegetarian addition to this salad!

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Jennifer Aniston Salad Dressing

This is where we changed things up a bit and added a few more ingredients to inject some pizzazz. Instead of just combining lemon juice and olive oil, we add a few more things:

  • Dijonmustard. We love Grey Poupon® Dijon best. Make sure to use Dijon, not yellow mustard.
  • Red wine vinegar. This adds a nice punch of flavor to the salad.
  • Garlic. If you don’t have garlic on hand, add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Oliveoil. We recommendextravirginolive oil for this recipe. Better oil = better flavor.
  • Honey. Add less for a tangier dressing, and more for a sweeter one.
  • Lemons. We use fresh lemon juice because bottled lemon juice doesn’t pack the same flavor as fresh, and we need the lemon zest, too.
  • Salt & pepper. No dressing is complete without salt and pepper, and this vinaigrette is no exception. Add to taste preference, remembering that an extra pinch can be the difference between agoodand astellardressing!

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STORAGE

Storage

The Jennifer Aniston Salad lasts for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. The onion flavor does become more prevalent the longer it sits, so if you’re sensitive to this flavor keep the onion separate and add it to individual servings. This salad doesn’t freeze and thaw well.

More Delicious Salads:

  • Tuna Nicoise Saladwith a lemon vinaigrette
  • Peach Saladwith a balsamic vinaigrette
  • Garden Saladwith a simple vinaigrette
  • Cucumber Feta Saladwith a lemon vinaigrette
  • Summer Couscous Saladwith a white balsamic vinaigrette

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Jennifer Aniston Salad

5 from 4 votes

- Review this recipe

This Jennifer Aniston Saladis a powerhouse salad combining quinoa (or barley) with chickpeas, herbs, veggies, pistachios, feta cheese, and a simple lemon vinaigrette!

Jennifer Aniston Salad (6)

Print Recipe

Jennifer Aniston Salad

Jennifer Aniston Salad (7)

5 from 4 votes

- Review this recipe

Print Recipe

This Jennifer Aniston Saladis a powerhouse salad combining quinoa (or barley) with chickpeas, herbs, veggies, pistachios, feta cheese, and a simple lemon vinaigrette!

Course Dinner, Main Course, Salad, Vegetarian

Cuisine American, Healthy, Vegetarian

Keyword Jennifer Aniston Salad

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Chelsea Lords

Calories 297kcal

Author Chelsea Lords

Cost $9.41

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked tri-colored quinoa OR bulgur wheat, plus the water needed to cook
  • 1 cup diced cucumber chopped (~1 English cucumber)
  • 1 cup diced red onion (~1/2 large onion)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (~1 bunch)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint chopped
  • 1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas, drained & rinsed
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted pistachios
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (~1 lemon), plus 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

US - Metric

Instructions

  • QUINOA: Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve in cold water for about 30 seconds. In a small saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups water. Season with salt (I add 1/2 tsp). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover the pan with a lid. Turn heat to the lowest setting, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until the water has completely absorbed in the quinoa. Turn off the heat and let stand covered for 5-10 minutes. After it's finished steaming, remove the lid and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork. Set aside to cool to room temperature.In a hurry? Spread it on a sheet pan and slide it into the freezer for 15 minutes.

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  • DRESSING: In a small mason jar, combine all the dressing ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper (we add 1/2 tsp pepper and 1/4 tsp salt). Shake to combine and emulsify. Refrigerate while you finish the salad.

  • SALAD: Combine the cooked and cooled quinoa with the rest of the salad ingredients except the feta. Drizzle on dressing and toss everything together. Top with feta and gently mix through. Enjoy!

    Jennifer Aniston Salad (9)

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Cooked quinoa: (Here's how to cook quinoa.) We love tri-colored quinoa-- and for a nice shortcut, you can use Microwaveable Packaged Quinoa. Microwaveable quinoa is already cooked and just needs to be heated.

Note 2: Cucumber: We recommend Persian (sometimes labeled as mini cucumbers) or English cucumbers. These cucumbers are nearly seedless and very crisp (instead of watery) with a sweeter flavor.

Note 3: Red onion: If you’re sensitive to the flavor of raw red onion, soak the diced onions in salted ice water for 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly before adding.

Note 4: Fresh herbs: We love parsley and mint in this recipe, but you could use just one herb if preferred. Another nice option here is fresh basil.

Note 5: Pistachios: Dry-roasted and salted is our favorite here -- tons more flavor without extra work on your end. If you are using raw nuts, we recommend roasting them first for better texture and flavor.

Note 6: Feta: feel free to leave this out if you wish. Goat cheese is another really nice and flavorful option in this salad. If you want some vegan creaminess, consider adding a ripe diced avocado! Without the cheese, this recipe is vegan.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.9g | Protein: 9.5g | Fat: 18.8g | Cholesterol: 11.1mg | Sodium: 394.3mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4.1g

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.

Jennifer Aniston Salad (2024)

FAQs

Can you lose weight with Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

Aniston's salad is low in calories, high in vitamins and nutrients, filling, and great for weight loss goals, according to Feder. "This salad recipe is very calorie friendly and is a complete meal," he says. "It contains healthy amounts of fats, and protein, and is low in carbohydrates.

Is Jennifer Aniston salad healthy? ›

It's a delicious healthy salad with a base of fluffy quinoa, crisp cucumbers, fresh herbs and chickpeas, topped with creamy feta and pistachios for crunch. Every spoon makes you want more! It's fresh, simple, light yet satisfying, as it's packed with protein, fibre and nutrients. Oh and it's absolutely delicious!

Is Jennifer Aniston salad low carb? ›

Jennifer Aniston's go-to lettuce-less salad boasts a nutritious blend of assorted vegetables, crunchy nuts, and hearty plant-based proteins to deliver a high-protein, low-carb meal that you can make in minutes.

How long does the Jennifer Aniston salad last? ›

Similar to this Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad, everything is chopped small and tastes delightfully fresh. The best part is it lasts all week long! In an interview with People, Jennifer Aniston described this as the “perfect salad”.

Will I lose weight eating 2 salads a day? ›

Can you lose weight by eating a salad every day? "Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

How many calories are in 1 cup of Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

Per serving: Calories 510, Fat 21 g (Saturated 5 g, Trans 0 g), Cholesterol 15 mg, Sodium 520 mg, Carbohydrate 65 g (Fibre 13 g, Sugars 9 g), Protein 19 g.

Did Jennifer Aniston really eat the same salad every day? ›

Now, Aniston is debunking the recipe, which she said is "totally different" from the legendary salad she ate every day for 10 years on the set of "Friends." "I feel like I'm disappointing everybody, but that's not my salad," Aniston told Shape. "It looks delicious, but it's not the salad I had on 'Friends. '"

What does Jennifer Aniston eat for lunch everyday? ›

Aniston keeps it simple for both lunch and dinner, opting for "some form of vegetables or salad with protein—pretty basic." Her dinner is "probably the same," though she's been known to mix it up with a chicken burger wrapped in lettuce.

Does Jennifer Aniston skip breakfast? ›

Intermittent fasting

Typically, this means she stops eating after dinner and delays breakfast until around 10 am the next morning. Jennifer Aniston's diet includes mostly whole food ingredients with a balance of proteins, carbs, and heart-healthy fats. She also practices 16/8 intermittent fasting.

What does Jennifer Aniston eat for breakfast? ›

Now, her secret is a protein-packed breakfast of eggs and avocado. Keep reading for more information about what Jennifer Aniston does to maintain her figure.

How many points is Jennifer Aniston's salad? ›

5 weight watchers points a serving. The salad made about 6 cups, and each serving is 1 cup.

What did Jennifer Aniston eat every day on the set of Friends? ›

How this below recipe went viral as Jennifer Aniston's go-to salad is hard to tell. According to Courtney Cox's Los Angeles Times interview, the salad they ate every day on set was actually a “doctored up” Cobb salad with turkey bacon, chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, garbanzo beans, and so on.

Why is it called Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

By now we all know the famous Jennifer 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.

Is Jennifer Aniston vegan? ›

Jennifer's diet

But even though that sounds vegan, when asked about her refrigerator staples, she revealed that she also eats animal products: “I always have cut raw vegetables in a Tupperware container. Hard-boiled eggs are always great to have in the fridge, as well as a big head of butter lettuce.

What to avoid in salad for weight loss? ›

Crunchy Noodles, Wontons, and Tortilla Strips

“Crunchy noodles are like eating chips,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D.N., creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It. All they add to your salad are calories (around 120 per half cup) and fat (half of those calories, at around 60 grams).

How much weight did Rachel lose on Friends? ›

Jennifer Anniston Lost 30 Pounds for Friends, Here's How You Can Do it Too in a Healthy Way.

Is a house salad good for weight loss? ›

If you want to make a weight-loss-friendly salad, you will want to choose salad ingredients that are relatively low in calories. To make your salad low in calories, load it up with non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers.

How many points are in Jennifer Aniston's salad? ›

It's soooo good. 5 weight watchers points a serving. The salad made about 6 cups, and each serving is 1 cup.

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