Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe with Quinoa (2025)

Jump to Recipe·5 from 1 review

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!

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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!

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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
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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.

Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe with Quinoa (4)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

You might also enjoy these salad recipes

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Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe with Quinoa (9)

Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe with Quinoa

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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Sandra Flegg
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
Print Recipe

Description

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 and cucumbers and fresh herbs in a tangy dressing, along with crunchy pistachios. This viral TikTok salad is a salad that’s as tasty as it is good for you. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients

2 cups vegetable stock (chicken stock or water)

1 cup dry quinoa

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup English cucumber, diced (1 cucumber should be enough)

1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/2 cup fresh mint, finely chopped

3/4 cup roasted, salted pistachios; coarsely chopped

1 and 1/4 cups feta cheese, crumbled

Salt & Black pepper to taste

Lemon Dressing:

1/2 cup lemon juice (approximately 4 lemons)

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 Tablespoons honey

Salt & Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. COOK THE QUINOA: Rinse and drain the quinoa. In a small saucepan, bring water (or stock) to a boil over hight heat. Add quinoa, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Simmer for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Transfer the cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl and set aside to cool.

  2. MAKE THE LEMON DRESSING: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.

  3. ASSEMBLE 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.
  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!

Notes

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

FOR MEAL PREP: – I like to toss the sald with 3/4 of the dressing and save the remaining dressing in a small container and add it to individuals servings.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 generous serving
  • Calories: 401
  • Sugar: 7.2 g
  • Sodium: 447.6 mg
  • Fat: 26.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32.4 g
  • Fiber: 5.6 g
  • Protein: 11.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 20.9 mg
Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe with Quinoa (2025)

FAQs

What is the salad Jennifer Aniston eats every day? ›

She did in fact, eat a cobb salad instead everyday consisting of chopped lettuce, chicken breast, turkey bacon, boiled egg, and so on with her co-star Lisa Kudrow.

How much quinoa is in the Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

Salad
  1. 1 cup quinoa.
  2. 1 cup lite feta, crumbled.
  3. 2 baby cucumbers, chopped.
  4. 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained.
  5. 1/3 cup mint, chopped.
  6. 1/3 cup parsley, chopped.
  7. 1/2 red onion, diced.
  8. 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped.

Is the Jennifer Aniston salad healthy? ›

Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad (Famous Viral Recipe!)

Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats … this lettuce-less salad is just as nutritious as it is delicious. Perfect for a healthy dinner, lunch, or meal prep!

Can you make Jennifer Aniston salad ahead of time? ›

It holds up well in the fridge so it's the perfect meal prep recipe. Prep this over the weekend and have lunch ready to go for the entire week!

What does Jennifer Aniston eat for breakfast? ›

“When I wake up, I have warm lemon water and then I have a shake or avocado and eggs, which is one of my favorites,” Aniston says. “I sprinkle a little coconut oil on that. Sometimes I'll have a puffed millet cereal with a banana, or I'll do oatmeal with an egg white whipped in at the end.”

Is the 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.

Is quinoa better for me than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Can I eat quinoa salad everyday? ›

Studies have reported that consumption of one serving of quinoa (about 40 g) meets an important part of daily recommendations (RDA) for essential nutrients and health-improving compounds.

How to eat quinoa for weight loss? ›

To consume quinoa for weight loss, you can cook it into a sweet breakfast porridge with chia seeds, milk and fruit on top. Quinoa can also be popped like popcorn in a pan. Add some seasoning and enjoy it as a snack, or make your own granola or chiwda using popped quinoa.

How many Weight Watchers points is the Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

It's soooo good. 5 weight watchers points a serving.

Does Jennifer Aniston skip breakfast? ›

I do intermittent fasting, so there's no food in the morning,” Aniston said during her interview. “I noticed a big difference in going without solid food for 16 hours.” So how does she get by in the mornings? With coffee, of course — as well as celery juice, which has really taken off in the wellness world this year.

What pairs well with Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

Personally I think this quinoa and chickpea salad is totally satisfying on its own, but feel free to pair it with additional protein / healthy fats. Here are some ideas: Grilled chicken or Air Fried Chicken Breast. Roasted chicken.

What salad did Jennifer Aniston eat every day? ›

What salad did Jennifer Aniston eat on the set of Friends every day? Contrary to the viral salad recipe floating around the internet, it was actually a COBB SALAD!

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.

What was the real Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

I just thought it was a delicious salad, perfectly low carb, and something I think my audience will love as well! I think that is a good reason! The real Jennifer Aniston salad is a riff on a Cobb salad and contains salami, chicken, turkey bacon, garbanzo beans, pecorino cheese, tomatoes, and Italian dressing.

What does Jennifer Aniston actually eat? ›

It's pretty clear: Eat as much organic fruits and veggies as you can, keep sugar [intake] low, drink tons and tons of water and get good sleep." But does she indulge every now and again? Of course she does! "I allow myself to indulge once in a while... I don't give myself any rules anymore," she confessed.

How many calories are in the Aniston salad? ›

Nutritional Information

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.

What is Jennifer Aniston Favourite meal? ›

Jennifer Aniston has revealed her favourite comfort food - nachos. The Hollywood star, 55, often indulges in the cheesy treat, and even once admitted that she would still eat nachos even if they had fallen on the floor. “I love Mexican food in general,” she later said, doubling down on her obsession.

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