The Jennifer Aniston Salad

This viral Jennifer Aniston salad is packed with protein from quinoa and chickpeas and tossed with crunchy cucumber, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon vinaigrette. Finished with pistachios and feta, it’s fresh, simple and perfect for a healthy lunch or meal prep!

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Viral Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad

It’s been said that Jennifer Aniston ate this salad recipe every day at lunch for 10 years on the set of Friends. Other stories say that it was a salad she posted on Instagram and labeled as ‘the perfect salad’.

Either way, it went viral on TikTok for good reason! The Jennifer Aniston salad recipe is so full of flavor and texture I might eat it every day for lunch, too, in rotation with other favorite tabbouleh-inspired salads like this Mediterranean quinoa salad!

Why I Love This Recipe

• Celebrity inspired: A famous salad, I’m in! Although other sources say her preferred lunch salad on Friends was actually a Cobb salad (also delicious).
• Fresh and flavorful: With a lemon dressing and plenty of crunchy texture, I have been making this salad all summer long in rotation with my chopped arugula salad recipe!
• Trendy: This viral TikTok salad recipe is so delicious! Other trends we love include dense bean salad and baked tomato and feta pasta.

Recipe Ingredients

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Quinoa: Quinoa, cooked and cooled. This is a simple way to add protein to the salad, bulgur could also be used.
• Chickpeas: One can garbanzo beans that has been drained and rinsed.
• Cucumber: This adds a fresh taste with a small crunch. Salad cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are less watery.
• Red onion: This adds a bite to the salad. You could also use green onions for a milder taste.
• Fresh herbs: Fresh parsley and fresh mint are my choice, but other herbs such as fresh dill, basil or cilantro are also great to use.
• Roasted pistachios: Roasted nuts add additional flavor and crunch.
• Feta cheese: Adds a briny, salty taste with a touch of creaminess.
• Dressing: Although there was no dressing mentioned in Jen’s post, a lemon dressing with fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt and pepper pairs perfectly with the salad.

How to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad

In a large bowl, combine all the salad ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste. 

In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk well to combine then pour desired amount over salad and toss to combine.

Recipe Tips

• Amount of dry quinoa: I have found that 3/4 cups dry quinoa makes about 2 cups cooked.
• Cook then cool quinoa. To cool quinoa quickly, spread it out on a baking sheet in a thin layer and place it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes. This helps release the steam fast so the grains stay fluffy and don’t make the salad soggy.
• Additional flavor. Instead of cooking the quinoa in water use chicken broth (or vegetable broth to keep this salad vegetarian).
• Soak red onion in cold water. If you are sensitive to the sharp bite of a red onion, soak in cold water for 10 minutes, drain then add to the salad. This will really tame the flavor.
• Top with nuts last: To prevent pistachios from losing their crunch, add just before serving.

Substitutions and Variations

Put your own unique spin on Jennifer Aniston’s salad!

• Grain: Swap gluten-free quinoa and make a bulgur wheat salad recipe or use brown rice or farro.
• Beans: I love the texture of garbanzo beans in this recipe but cannellini or lentils are great, too.
• Nuts: For a nut-free salad try roasted sunflower seeds or roasted pumpkin seeds. Swap pistachios for roasted salted almonds or candied cashews.
• Cheese: Goat cheese would be a creamy addition! Or omit the cheese and add sliced avocado or dairy free feta for a vegan salad.
• Amp the protein: Add shredded chicken or top it with grilled shrimp skewers or baked salmon before serving.