Jennifer Aniston Salad

Table of Contents

1. Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe Ingredients
2. Substitutions and Additions for Friend’s Salad
3. How To Make The Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe
4. Troubleshooting
5. How To Serve The Jennifer Aniston Lunch Salad Recipe 
6. How to Meal Prep Jennifer Aniston’s Salad
7. How To Store a Jennifer Aniston Salad
8. Why This Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe Is The Best
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. More Filling Salad Recipes 
11. JUMP TO RECIPE
12. Even More Recipes You’ll Love

This viral Jennifer Aniston Salad is a filling and delicious lunch you can eat every day! Made famous on social media, Jennifer ate this salad every single day on the set of Friends, and now, you can make it in your own kitchen.

We’ve made it easy to make the Jennifer Aniston Salad. With clear photos and guided steps, we’ve simplified making this recipe so anyone can make it with confidence. In fact, our goal is to provide you with lots of tips and expertise so cooking and preparing food is a pleasure (not a chore).

With over ten years of experience in the culinary field, our team at Spaceships and Laser Beams brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every recipe we share. Our extensive first-hand experience in cooking and recipe development makes sure that each post is full of practical insights and tested techniques. Let’s get started on making this Jennifer Aniston Salad.

You’ll love the vibrant and fresh combination of ingredients in our Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad Recipe. The refreshing combination of flavors might make this your new favorite salad!

You’ll Need:

• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup quinoa
• 16 ounce can chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
• 1 cup cucumber, small diced (English or hothouse cucumbers work well)
• ¾ red onion, small diced
• ¾ cup shelled & roasted pistachio nuts, chopped
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• ⅓ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Substitutions and Additions for Friend’s Salad

Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox were also known to eat this delicious salad (which may have looked more like a Cobb Salad at the time). You can adjust the ingredients to include veggies, seeds, and other toppings you enjoy. Here are some ideas:

Quinoa: You can substitute red quinoa, bulgur wheat, couscous, or brown rice if you prefer. Follow the package instructions for cooking, and use a total of 3 cups cooked. 

Vegetable Stock: Chicken broth or water can be used instead. Using chicken broth will add a richer flavor, while water keeps the taste more neutral.

Pistachio Nuts: Chopped cashews or almonds are great alternatives. You can also add sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch.

Feta Cheese: Crumbled goat cheese can be substituted for a slightly milder and creamier taste. 

Fresh Parsley: If you don’t have parsley on hand, fresh cilantro can be used. It will give the salad a different herby flavor that’s equally refreshing.

Fresh Mint: Substitute with fresh basil for a unique twist. Basil adds a sweet and slightly peppery flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.

Honey: Maple syrup or agave nectar can replace honey in the dressing. These alternatives will provide the necessary sweetness with a different flavor profile.

Cucumber: If cucumbers are unavailable, try using diced zucchini. Zucchini offers a similar crunch and mild flavor that blends well with the other salad components.

Other Additions:

• Boiled eggs or egg whites
• Mini cucumbers
• Red or yellow bell pepper
• ​Sliced avocado
• Fresh dill or oregano
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Olives
• Matchstick carrots
• Chicken breast 
• Crumbled turkey bacon
• Plant-based protein like tofu or Beyond Meat

Dressing Options:

This recipe will show you how to make a simple dressing, but if you prefer to use a bottled dressing instead, here are some ideas:

• Italian dressing
• Greek vinaigrette
• Balsamic vinaigrette
• Honey dijon mustard dressing

How To Make The Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe

Making our version of the Jennifer Aniston Friends Salad is a breeze with our simple-to-follow steps. This salad is perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or meal prep.

PRO TIP: Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients. Make sure to rinse and drain the chickpeas, dice the cucumber and red onion, and chop the pistachios, parsley, and mint. Measure out the remaining ingredients. This makes it easier and quicker to to pull your salad together.

STEP ONE: To a medium-sized saucepan, bring 2 cups of vegetable stock to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, add 1 cup of quinoa, stir, cover with a lid, and reduce the heat to low. Cook the quinoa for 15 minutes.

STEP TWO: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the quinoa to sit undisturbed, with the lid still on, for 5 minutes. This step helps the quinoa absorb any remaining liquid and become tender.

PRO TIP: You can save time by making the quinoa up to 48 hours ahead. The quinoa should be completely chilled before combining with the other ingredients to maintain the crisp texture of the vegetables and herbs.

STEP THREE: Remove the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Transfer the fluffed quinoa to a large bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, up to overnight, or until the quinoa is completely chilled.

STEP FOUR: Once the quinoa has chilled, add the chickpeas, diced cucumber, diced red onion, chopped pistachio nuts, crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, and fresh mint to the large bowl. Set aside.

STEP FIVE: To a small lidded container, such as a pint-size mason jar, add the fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid on the jar and shake well to fully combine and emulsify all the ingredients, creating a light dressing for the salad.

STEP SIX: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to combine. Make sure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

STEP SEVEN: Transfer the Jennifer Aniston Salad to a serving bowl. This salad can be served either at room temperature or slightly chilled, depending on your preference.

PRO TIP: If you don’t have a lidded jar for the dressing, you can whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. This ensures all elements of the dressing are well mixed.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve never cooked quinoa before, you may have some questions about how to use it to make the perfect salad. 

Here’s more helpful advice from our recipe development team:

• Rinse the Quinoa: Before cooking, rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine mesh strainer. This helps remove the natural coating called saponin, which can make the quinoa taste bitter.
• Cool the Quinoa Quickly: If you’re short on time, spread the cooked quinoa out on a baking sheet to cool more quickly. This helps it reach room temperature faster before refrigerating.
• Refrigerate the Quinoa:​ It might be tempting to skip this step, but we don’t recommend it. It gives the quinoa the proper texture, and also ensures your vegetables don’t end up soggy.
• Cutting the Veggies: When dicing the cucumber and red onion, try to keep the pieces uniform in size. This ensures even distribution and texture throughout the salad.
• Chopping Fresh Herbs: To prevent bruising the fresh herbs, chop them gently using a sharp knife. We don’t recommend using your hands a food processor, as it can make the herbs watery and less flavorful.
• Taste as You Go: After tossing the salad with the dressing, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Like all great salads, make sure you love the flavor! 

How To Serve The Jennifer Aniston Lunch Salad Recipe 

Whether you’re enjoying this gluten free salad as a light meal or incorporating it into a larger spread, there are numerous ways to make this salad the star of your meal. Here are some suggestions:

Main Dish: Serve the Jennifer Aniston Salad as a light main dish on its own. The combination of quinoa, chickpeas, and feta provides plenty of protein to keep you satisfied.

Side Salad: Pair this salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak. It will make this recipe more filling and help it feed more people.

Lunch Wrap: Use the salad as a filling for a whole wheat tortilla or wrap. Add some sliced avocado and a handful of baby spinach for a nutritious and portable meal.

Picnic Ready: Pack the salad in individual mason jars for a portable picnic option. Add a layer of mixed greens at the bottom, followed by the salad, and keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat.

Pairings: For drinks, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a refreshing iced tea would pair well with the salad.

How to Meal Prep Jennifer Aniston’s Salad

What made this the ‘famous Jennifer Aniston salad’ was that the female cast of Friends ate it every day for lunch. The original recipe is slightly different than our version, and we think we’ve created an easy recipe that’s extremely palatable to enjoy every day if you want!

Here’s how to meal prep your salad:

1. Adjust your serving quantity: This recipe makes six 1-cup servings of salad. You can make more or less depending on your desired portion size and quantity.
2. Cook your quinoa. Cook and cool the quinoa according to the directions.
3. Cut the herbs and veggies.​ Chop the vegetables as directed.
4. Portion the salads. Prepare container with lids according to the desired number of portions you are making. Divide the quinoa between the containers, then top with the vegetables, cheese, and herbs.
5. Make the dressing. Prepare the dressing and store in the refrigerator in its own airtight container. Add a small amount and mix the salad together well just before eating.

How To Store a Jennifer Aniston Salad

Here’s how you can make the most out of this easy lunch salad recipe by preparing it ahead of time and storing leftovers correctly.

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the components of the salad ahead of time to save on preparation when you’re ready to serve. Cook the quinoa up to 48 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. Prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables a day ahead, but keep them stored separately to maintain their freshness. Combine all the ingredients just before serving.

IN THE FRIDGE: Once the Jennifer Aniston Salad is assembled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for two to three days. The longer it sits, the softer the vegetables will become due to the moisture from the dressing.

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend you freeze your salad. However, you can freeze your cooked quinoa if you’d like. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge, then assemble your salad.

Why This Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe Is The Best

Here are the reasons why we love this famous celebrity salad:

Easy to Make: Our simple steps that make meal prep a breeze, even on busy days.

Fresh and Nutritious: Loaded with wholesome ingredients like quinoa, chickpeas, and fresh herbs, and it tastes delicious!

Versatile: Perfect as a main dish, side, or even a wrap filling.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Ideal for prepping in advance, saving you time during the week.

This Jennifer Aniston Salad is a fresh and versatile dish that’s perfect for lunch and meal prep. Packed with nutritious ingredients and easy to make, this salad will taste great and keep your belly full!

More Filling Salad Recipes 

• Apple Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Seven Layer Salad
• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Copycat Olive Garden Salad

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