Go Back
–+ servings
Jennifer Aniston Salad

Jennifer Aniston Salad

Learn how to prepare the viral Jennifer Aniston salad using quinoa or bulgur as the base, mixed with cucumber, fresh herbs, pistachios, chickpeas, and feta cheese, all lightly coated in lemon juice and olive oil.
No ratings yet
Print Pin
Course: Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 391kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry quinoa or bulgur wheat
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup chopped cucumber
  • ½ cup finely chopped parsley
  • ½ cup finely chopped fresh mint
  • ⅓ cup chopped red onion
  • ½ cup roasted and salted pistachios roughly chopped
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • Juice of 2 lemons about 5–6 tablespoons
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt as needed
  • Ground black pepper as needed
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

  • Place the quinoa in a fine strainer and rinse well under cold water. Transfer it to a small saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with cucumber, parsley, mint, red onion, pistachios, and chickpeas.
  • Pour in the fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Add the crumbled feta cheese and gently mix until everything is evenly combined.
  • Serve right away, or cover and refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors blend together before serving.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

GRAIN OPTION: Bulgur wheat can be used instead of quinoa. To prepare, add bulgur and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 12 minutes. Drain any extra water if needed, fluff with a fork, and let it cool before mixing with the other ingredients.
CHEESE OPTION: Feta can be left out if preferred. A dairy-free feta alternative can also be used to make the salad suitable for a vegan diet.
ADD AVOCADO: For a creamier texture, chopped avocado can be added before serving.
NUT ALTERNATIVES: Pistachios may be replaced with roasted almonds or another preferred nut. For a nut-free version, roasted sunflower seeds work well as a substitute.
 
Please note that the nutritional values are provided by an online calculator and should be considered as an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 317mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g