Get ready for this show-stopping, perfect meal prep lunch, Jennifer Aniston Salad. Made famous by Jennifer Aniston herself, learn how to make this tasty copycat salad made with Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas), Cucumber, Red Onion, Pistachios, and Feta Cheese.
Why This Recipe is the Best
This is a great meal prep meal, it's quick and easy, and can easily go in a mason jar or meal prep container. Perfect for the summer and spring months.
We fell in love with the original salad recipe but felt like it needed a pick-me-up. To add to the taste, we altered the dressing to have a little extra flavor with additional red wine vinegar and garlic.
We also substituted the bulgar for quinoa. This makes this a gluten-free option and protein-packed grain salad!
Look for our other salad recipes, like our Honey Mustard broccoli Salad, chickpea salad, or our Blueberry Salad with Almonds.
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Key Ingredients
Here is a list of ingredients we used for this tasty grain salad. Be sure to look at substitutions and variations to help fit dietary needs and preferences.
- Quinoa- While the original recipe calls for Bulgur, Quinoa helps make this a gluten-free option. Quinoa is also great to have on hand. We throw it in lunchtime salads all the time.
- Cucumber- For this recipe, we used baby cucumbers because of the crisp texture. You can use any variety of cucumber.
- Pistachios (optional)- We love adding pistachios to this dish. It adds a great taste and texture to the whole salad.
- Chickpeas- Chickpeas or Garbanzo beans add texture, flavor, and protein to the dish. These can also be substituted for lentils.
How to make Jennifer Aniston's Salad
Follow these step-by-step instructions for the best results. The guided pictures can help with texture and look.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil.
- Cook and cool quinoa. Add chopped vegetables and cooled quinoa to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix until the ingredients are well mixed. Pour on the dressing and mix again.
- Serve chilled as a side dish, main meal, or put in individual containers for meal prep.
Hint: Make sure the quinoa is cooled after cooking it. Warm or even hot quinoa will wilt the vegetables and melt the feta cheese, making it not last as long.
Common Mistakes
When I first found this recipe, I made it with bulgar. It was really good, but it isn't something I keep on hand and so I didn't make the recipe often. Quinoa, on the other hand, is a pantry staple because you can add it to many different recipes. I started making this Jennifer Aniston Salad with quinoa, and now my family requests it all the time!
Top tip
The original recipe calls for a mild dressing. We added the red wine to add more flavor, but it may still need additional salt and pepper. Or add Dijon mustard for a stronger taste.
Recipe
Jennifer Aniston Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Quinoa cooked
- 1 cup Cucumber chopped
- 1 cup red onion chopped
- ½ cup feta
- ½ cup pistachios chopped
- ⅓ cup mint diced
- 1 ¾ cup chick peas
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook 1 cup of quinoa in 2 cups of water. Cook according to package directions. Fluff and let cool completely.2 cups Quinoa
- While the quinoa cools, chop the cucumbers, onions, mint, and pistachios. Drain the chick peas.1 cup Cucumber, 1 cup red onion, ½ cup feta, ½ cup pistachios, ⅓ cup mint, 1 ¾ cup chick peas
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and garlic powder. Set aside. See photos above for a great visual.¼ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 4 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Once the quinoa is cooled add it to a large mixing bowl and add in the chopped vegetables, pistachios and chick peas. Mix until evenly distributed. Pour the dressing over the top and mix together.
- Add salt and pepper according to taste preferences.salt and pepper to taste
Video
Notes
- Make the quinoa the night before so it's nice and cool when you are ready to make this recipe.
- Add a protein like grilled chicken, or top with avocado.
- Orzo- this is a low carb salad but you can mix it up by substituting the quinoa with 2 cups of cooked and cooled orzo pasta. You can use any pasta noodle but we love how small orzo is.
- Couscous - though not a gluten free option, another base you can use for this salad is couscous instead of quinoa. It makes for a great base and can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio.
- Bulgur - the original recipe was made with bulgur. You can use bulgur instead of quinoa at a 1:1 ratio fora great tasting recipe.
- Lentil-Instead of chickpeas, or in addition to them, you can use 1 ¾ cup cooked lentils for a high protein substitute.
- Kale- try add 1 cup of diced kale leaves for extra flavor, texture, and vitamins. It add a nice color as well.
- Cilantro Lime Crema Sauce- Instead of the of the traditional dressing, try mixing in our Cilantro Lime Crema Sauce.
- Dijon Mustard- Want a stronger tasting dressing? Add in 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard instead of lemon juice to make a mustard vinaigrette.
- Tahini Dressing - instead of the lemon/red wine vinegar dressing that is written, you can use a tahini dressing. We have a this delicious lemon herb tahini that can be watered down for tasty dressing.
Nutrition
Why Jennifer Aniston?
Though this isn't the actual salad Rachel ate on Friends, she has been known to have eaten this real meal for over 10 years. It's Jennifer Aniston's favorite recipe, and she shared it in a 2010 interview with People Magazine. The dish was not created by the actress herself. It was a recipe that she had discovered from her friend and chef, Kathy Najimy.
Substitutions and Variations
Mix up the recipe and try some new flavors with these variations. Add in a new protein or some extra greens. You can even make it Greek style.
- Kalamata Olives - add ½ cup of diced kalamata olives, or green olives for an extra flavor burst. You can also add in black olives, though they are milder in taste.
- Spinach- for more color and flavor, add 1 cup of diced spinach leaves.
- Chicken- Grilled or canned chicken can add a tasty protein. Top the salad with it, or mix it in.
- Avocado- Top with avocado for extra flavor and protein.
How To Serve
What we love most about this salad is that it can be either a stand-alone main dish or a side dish. I've made it for meal prep and have enjoyed it for several days as my main entree for lunch. I've also made it as a side for a family picnic. It paired great with the grilled chicken and potato salad that was also there. For a stronger dressing, try it with our Lemon Vinaigrette.
Storing Jennifer Aniston Salad
Store mixed Jennifer Aniston Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
This recipe does not freeze well. The textures of the vegetables will change once frozen.
Andrea says
I saw this on reddit and then TikTok but love this recipe more. I liked this version better than actual original recipe. I will totally be making this in mason jars for meal prep.
Donna says
Is there red onion in there also? If not, what is in there that is purple looking?
Andrea says
Yes! There is 1 cup chopped red onion.
Amy says
Deseed the cucumbers?
Andrea says
You can deseed the cucumbers if you would like. For this recipe we did not.
Lisa Skorich says
I'm going to try this! Sounds good for a cholesterol diet!
Nicole says
Yes! Let us know how you like it!
Rav says
it is yummy but I would still advise to add avocado 🥑,
just make the paste of avocado and then mix with all these stuffs w for better taste.
let's try and share your feedback..
Andrea says
Adding avocado to this salad would be really tasty! Thanks for sharing.
Cheezhead says
I skipped the feta and oil, and used a lemon tahini mix as dressing. Much healthier.
Andrea says
We love lemon Tahini! Great suggestion.