4.97 from 483 votes

Jennifer Aniston Salad

Name: Jennifer Aniston Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked quinoa; 2 cups water; 1 cup cucumber (chopped ); ½ cup parsley (chopped ); ½ cup mint (chopped ); ⅓ cup red onion (chopped ); ½ cup roasted and salted pistachios (chopped ); 1 15 ounce can chickpeas (drained and rinsed); 2 lemons (juiced (about 5-6 Tablespoons)); ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil; sea salt (to taste); ground pepper (to taste); ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Brittany MullinsUpdated Sep 16, 2026

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Servings: 6

25 mins

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This Jennifer Aniston salad is my quinoa-based take on the viral recipe, full of fresh herbs, crunchy pistachios and bright lemon flavor. It packs 14 grams of protein per serving and is perfect for meal prep.

Jennifer Aniston salad with quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, fresh herbs, feta and pistachios

The Jennifer Aniston salad went viral on TikTok a few years ago, and given my love for a good herby, veggie-packed salad, I had to try it. With hundreds of 5-star reviews, this version quickly became one of the most popular salads on EBF, and it has stayed in regular rotation in my kitchen ever since.

When I first made this recipe, I couldn’t find bulgur, so I used quinoa instead. It worked so well that I kept the swap. Quinoa makes my version naturally gluten-free while still providing the hearty texture that makes this fresh, lemony salad so satisfying.

Is This Really Jennifer Aniston’s Salad?

Fun fact: this isn’t actually the salad Jennifer Aniston ate every day on the set of Friends. The viral Jennifer Aniston salad was originally shared during a 2015 Living Proof Instagram takeover, when Aniston called the combination of bulgur, cucumber, fresh herbs, chickpeas, feta and pistachios her “perfect salad.” The Friends salad was a doctored Cobb, which inspired my protein Cobb salad.

Is This Really Jennifer Aniston’s Salad?
Why I Love This Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe
Ingredients Needed
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
How to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad
Brittany’s Tips
What to Serve with Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad
How to Store
Frequently Asked Questions
More Salad Recipes to Try
Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe

“I am addicted to this salad! There are lot’s of other versions out there, but in my opinion this is the best- so simple and clean. I sub chopped scallions for the red onion and add chopped walnuts and pepitas. Thank-you!”

– shannon

455 More Reviews

Why I Love This Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe

Woman (Brittany Mullins) wearing a white shirt and sipping a green smoothie.

Fresh and flavorful: Fresh parsley, mint and lemon give every bite a bright, herby flavor, while the pistachios add the perfect amount of crunch.
Satisfying without feeling heavy: Quinoa, chickpeas and feta make this salad filling enough for lunch while keeping it fresh and light.
Made for meal prep: It holds up well in the fridge, so you can prepare it ahead of time and enjoy it for easy lunches throughout the week.
Easy to make your own: Use quinoa or bulgur as the base and enjoy it on its own or add my grilled chicken for an extra boost of protein.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients measured out to make the Jennifer Aniston salad: salt, pepper, mint, quinoa, chickpeas, red onion, lemon juice, pistachios, feta, parsley, cucumber, water and olive oil.

quinoa – creates the hearty base for the salad and holds up well once chilled. I typically use white quinoa, but any variety will work.
cucumber – adds freshness and plenty of crunch. I like using mini cucumbers because they have small seeds and don’t need to be peeled.
fresh parsley – adds loads of fresh, herby flavor. Flat-leaf or curly parsley will work.
fresh mint – gives the salad its distinctive cool and refreshing flavor.
red onion – adds a sharp bite and another layer of crunch.
pistachios – roasted and salted pistachios add richness, saltiness and the perfect amount of crunch.
chickpeas – make the salad more substantial and add a boost of plant-based protein. Canned chickpeas make this recipe especially easy. Just be sure to drain and rinse them first.
fresh lemon juice and olive oil – these two ingredients make the simple lemon dressing that coats the quinoa and veggies. No complicated vinaigrette needed!
feta cheese – adds creamy texture and a salty, tangy flavor.

Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.

Recipe Substitutions & Variations

Swap the grain: Use about 3 cups of cooked bulgur or farro in place of the cooked quinoa. Bulgur was used in Jennifer Aniston’s original salad, but both bulgur and farro contain gluten, so stick with quinoa if you need this salad to be gluten-free.
Swap the chickpeas: Cannellini beans or lentils are good alternatives if you don’t have chickpeas.
Make it dairy-free: Use dairy-free feta or simply leave out the cheese.
Try another cheese: Swap the feta for goat cheese for a slightly creamier texture.
Swap the pistachios: Try almonds, walnuts or pecans. For a nut-free option, use roasted sunflower seeds or pepitas.
Swap the herbs: No fresh mint? Use extra parsley or try fresh basil for a slightly different flavor.
Use a milder onion: Swap the red onion for finely chopped shallot or green onion.
Add more protein: Top the salad with chicken, grilled salmon or grilled shrimp skewers for an even more filling meal.

How to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad

A large pot of cooked quinoa with a wooden spoon.

Step 1: To start, cook your quinoa according to the package (you can also follow my full tutorial on how to cook quinoa) directions until it has softened. Drain out any excess water, if needed.

Two wooden serving spoons in a large glass bowl of salad ingredients that include quinoa, chickpeas, and fresh vegetables.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, pistachios, chickpeas, feta, lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Taste and add more salt or pepper if necessary.

Brittany’s Tips

Cook the quinoa ahead of time: For the best texture, make the quinoa in advance so it has time to cool completely before assembling the salad. Warm quinoa can soften the cucumber and herbs.
For perfectly fluffy quinoa: Once the quinoa is finished cooking, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. This allows it to steam and helps keep the quinoa light and fluffy instead of wet or clumpy.
Taste before salting: Feta and roasted pistachios can both be salty, so mix everything together and taste the salad before adding more salt.
Chop everything small: Finely chop the cucumber, herbs, onion and pistachios so you get a little of everything in each bite.

A small bowl of Jennifer Aniston quinoa salad garnished with fresh mint and lemon.

What to Serve with Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad

This salad is satisfying enough to enjoy on its own for lunch, but it also makes a fresh and flavorful side dish. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

Add chicken: Top it with my apple cider vinegar chicken for a filling, protein-packed meal.
Pair it with seafood: Serve it alongside my grilled shrimp or air fryer salmon for an easy summer dinner.
Keep it vegetarian: Add crispy baked tofu or enjoy the salad as-is. The quinoa, chickpeas and feta already make it quite satisfying.
Bring it to a gathering: This recipe makes a generous batch and is a great option for potlucks, picnics and summer cookouts.

Jennifer Aniston salad with quinoa, chickpeas, feta and pistachios in a serving bowl.

How to Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before serving, give the salad a good stir and taste it again. Add another squeeze of lemon or a little salt and pepper if the flavors need refreshing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jennifer Aniston’s salad gluten-free?

The original Jennifer Aniston salad recipe is made with bulgur, which contains gluten. My version uses quinoa instead of bulgur, so it’s naturally gluten-free. Just be sure all of your individual ingredients are certified gluten-free if needed.

Can I make the Jennifer Aniston quinoa salad ahead of time?

Yes! This salad is perfect for meal prep and can be made up to 5 days in advance. Divide it between individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. For the best crunch, I recommend storing the pistachios separately and adding them just before serving.

What kind of quinoa is best for Jennifer Aniston salad?

I typically use white quinoa because it has a mild flavor and fluffy texture that works perfectly in this salad. Red, black or tri-color quinoa will also work, but they tend to have a slightly firmer texture.

Can you freeze the Jennifer Aniston salad?

I don’t recommend freezing this salad. The cucumber and fresh herbs will lose their texture once thawed, and the feta can become crumbly or watery. It’s best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.