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We’re here to tell you that the viral Jennifer Aniston salad on Tiktok is worth the hype. This famous salad is simple to make with just a handful of pantry staples like quinoa, chickpeas, pistachios and feta that are tossed in a simple lemon vinaigrette.
I love scrolling Instagram and Tiktok for new recipe inspiration. (I have so many saved recipes!) After trying the viral chicken caesar salad pizza, I was ready to test out another viral recipe. This Jennifer Aniston salad was immediately a favorite in our house.
It was easy to make and since it doesn’t get soggy in the fridge, it makes for a great meal prep option for the week.
What Salad Did Jennifer Aniston Eat for 10 Years?
Originally, this quinoa and chickpea salad was believed to be the salad that Jennifer Aniston ate for lunch everyday on the set of Friends.
However, that was debunked in an interview that Courtney Cox did with the LA Times. Cox says that they all ate a variation on a Cobb salad that Jennifer “doctored up” with turkey bacon and chickpeas every day when filming.
The famous ‘Jennifer Aniston salad’ from social media is actually based on a salad Aniston made for an old Instagram takeover with Living Proof – calling it “my perfect salad”.
Although she didn’t share the exact recipe, she did mention that some of the ingredients were bulgur, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese and pistachios.
Ingredients for Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad
Use these simple and fresh ingredients packed with nutritional value to make your new favorite healthy salad.
- Quinoa: although the original recipe used bulgur, we swapped it for quinoa since that’s what we had in the pantry. However, you can substitute with bulgur or brown rice. For added flavor, cook your quinoa in broth instead of water.
- Red Onion, Cucumber: add crunch and flavor to this easy salad.
- Chickpeas: we always keep a can or two of chickpeas on hand in the pantry as an easy way to add fiber and protein to salads like this one. You can omit or use white beans or chopped cooked chicken instead.
- Fresh Parsley & Fresh Mint: use fresh herbs for the most flavor.
- Pistachios: add a nice crunch, healthy fats and protein to this recipe. You can substitute with another nut like chopped almonds or walnuts. Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds would also be great substitutes for pistachios.
- Feta Cheese: adds some saltiness and creaminess to this recipe. If you don’t like feta, use crumbled goat cheese instead.
- Olive Oil: adds healthy fat to the salad dressing. Use extra virgin olive oil if you have it.
- Lemon: use fresh squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. You’ll also need lemon zest for the dressing so it’s worth picking up a fresh one.
- Dijon Mustard: can substitute with brown mustard instead.
- Maple Syrup: can substitute with honey if you prefer.
Variations
Add chicken: if you want to up the protein in this salad and make it even more filling, add 1-2 cups of shredded or chopped chicken breast. To make prep easier, use store bought rotisserie chicken.
Make it Vegan: use vegan feta instead of the feta cheese in this viral salad recipe.
How to Make Jennifer Aniston Salad
The Jennifer Aniston chickpea salad is surprisingly simple to put together in a few steps. I like to make it on the weekend for a quick lunch option during the week.
Cook the Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer under cold water. Add quinoa, water and a pinch of salt to a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
Prep Fresh Salad Ingredients: Meanwhile, add minced red onion to a bowl of cold water and let soak for 10-minutes, drain. This helps to tame down the onion. Chop the cucumber, parsley, mint, and pistachios and set aside.
Make the Lemon Dressing: Add all the salad dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. You can also add them to a mason jar and shake to combine.
Assemble: Add the cooled quinoa, red onion, cucumber, parsley, mint, pistachios, and chickpeas to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over top and toss everything together to combine. Add more salt or pepper to taste.
Tools You Need
Here’s what I used to make the viral Jennifer Aniston salad – my new favorite work-from-home lunch:
Storage Tips
Fridge: store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. We thought the flavor of this salad got even better with time – so this is the perfect salad for meal prepping.
Viral Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Medium Saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Mason Jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked (or bulgur wheat, uncooked)
- ½ small red onion, diced
- 1 ½ cups English cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped mint
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Zest from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Rinse and drain quinoa. Add quinoa, 2 cups of water (or broth) and a pinch of salt to a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add minced red onion to a bowl of cold water and let soak for 10-minutes, drain. (It helps mellow the raw onion flavor.)
- Add the dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk well to combine or add to a mason jar and shake well.
- Add the cooled quinoa, red onion, cucumber, parsley, mint, pistachios, and chickpeas. Toss to combine and season with additional salt and pepper and lemon juice, to taste.
