Jennifer Aniston Salad (2024)

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This Jennifer Aniston salad features bulgur, fresh veggies, chickpeas, crumbled feta, and roasted pistachios, tossed through the best dressing ever. I could eat this salad every day!

Love salad recipes? Try my avocado chicken salad, wedge salad, or 7 layer salad.

Jennifer Aniston Salad (1)

Like Kim Kardashian’s famous chia pudding or Gigi Hadid pasta, The Jennifer Aniston salad has also took the internet by storm (look at me calling her Jen already…).

Ever since the actor revealed her lunch salad to the world, the recipe has gone viral over the internet. And because it is so quick and easy to make, everyone is obsessed with it!

If you aren’t aware of what this famous salad entails, it’s made up of bulgur, crunchy veggies, creamy feta, and a generous helping of pistachios and chickpeas.And because our beloved actress does not like sugar, the salad has no sweet elements.

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients (and substitutions)
  3. How to make a Jennifer Aniston salad
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Storage instructions
  6. More fresh salad recipes to try
  7. Jennifer Aniston Salad (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • Light yet filling. This salad is a perfect lunch recipe, especially if you’re a vegetarian! You won’t feel stuffed, yet it’ll keep you full for a long time.
  • Healthy and balanced. This salad is healthy and balanced with carbs from bulgur, healthy fats from pistachios, oil, and feta, proteins from chickpeas, vitamins, antioxidants, and veggie fibers.
  • Simple. Like wedge salad and chicken salad with grapes, this salad doesn’t require complicated appliances, cooking techniques, or long preparation times.
  • Tasty. Despite a simple vinaigrette, this salad wins all the brownie points for a fantastic taste.
  • Perfect for meal prep. You can simply prep the veggies and herbs and cook the wheat bulgur in advance. Once ready to eat, combine everything with the dressing and serve!
Jennifer Aniston Salad (2)

Ingredients (and substitutions)

Besides the chickpeas and bulgar, everything else involves simple pantry staples to make. Here is what you’ll need:

  • Bulgur. It is parboiled cracked wheat, rife with nutrients. Start with uncooked bulgur. If you cannot find bulgur wheat, make this recipe with quinoa or even couscous.
  • Water. To cook bulgur.
  • Cucumber. Persian cucumbers add a nice crunch to the salad. Thinly slice your cucumber so it becomes evenly distributed.
  • Chickpeas (garbanzo beans). You’ll need one can of cooked chickpeas. Remember to drain and rinse them, before use. You can also make chickpeas from scratch if you’d prefer that or use roasted chickpeas instead.
  • Red onion. Finely diced. This adds a nice peppery element.
  • Fresh herbs. I use fresh parsley and mint for this salad. Chop your herbs finely so that they distribute well.
  • Pistachios. I like unsalted and roasted pistachios, but raw ones work just fine. Other nuts like almonds or seeds like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds will work.
  • Feta cheese. Every good salad needs a cheesy element, and this one uses feta. To keep this salad dairy-free, use a vegan feta.
  • Lemon juice. For the tangy vinaigrette. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice if possible.
  • Extra virgin olive oil. To make the oil lemon juice vinaigrette.
  • Salt and black pepper. For the seasoning.

How to make a Jennifer Aniston salad

I’ve includedstep-by-step photosbelow to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to therecipe cardat the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Boil the bulgur. Add bulgur and water to a pot and allow it to boil. Simmer it covered for 10 minutes.

Jennifer Aniston Salad (3)

Step 2- Make the dressing. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

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Step 3- Toss the salad and serve. Mix all the veggies, chickpeas, and cooked and drained bulgur in a large bowl. Top it off with pistachios and cheese, and drizzle with lemon dressing.

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Recipe tips and variations

  • Cook your bulgur in broth. Use chicken or vegetable stock instead of good old plain water for cooking your bulgur.
  • Customize it. This salad is easy to make, and also even easier to customize. Add your favorite veggies, seeds, nuts, legumes.
  • Soak onions. Soak chopped onions in cold water to remove the sharp onion flavor.
  • Cool bulgur before combining. Let the bulgur cool down before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients. You don’t want a mushy, warm salad.
  • Add sweet elements. Add pomegranate or dried berries to the salad to balance off the savoriness.
  • Add more protein. While chickpeas are full of protein, feel free to increase the protein content by adding tofu pieces or your favorite meat (I love to quickly air fry some air fryer chicken breast, air fryer shrimp, or some air fryer steak!). For a flavor explosion, add some sliced smoked chicken breast.

Storage instructions

To store. This salad is excellent for meal prep. You can make it in bulk and portion it in airtight containers so that it lasts the whole week in the refrigerator!

To freeze. I don’t recommend freezing this salad! Serve fresh and devour!

Jennifer Aniston Salad (6)

More fresh salad recipes to try

  • Kani salad– The famous Japanese steakhouse-style salad with crisp and creamy elements.
  • Steak salad– This is my family’s favorite dinner salad that is perfect during the warmer months.
  • Hot German potato saladYes, it’s a warm salad, and yes, it’s fabulous.
  • Asian chicken salad– Loaded with all the crispy and crunchy elements.

Jennifer Aniston Salad (7)

Jennifer Aniston Salad

5 from 142 votes

This Jennifer Aniston salad features bulgur, fresh veggies, chickpeas, crumbled feta, and roasted pistachios, tossed through the best dressing ever. Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen!

Servings: 4 servings

Prep: 1 minute min

Cook: 12 minutes mins

Total: 13 minutes mins

Rate This Recipe

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Video

Ingredients

  • 1 cup bulgur uncooked
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cucumber thinly sliced
  • 13 ounces chickpeas canned
  • 1/3 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup mint chopped
  • 1/3 cup parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup roasted pistachios chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled

Instructions

  • Place the bulgur in a small pot with water and bring it to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Cook for 10 min and set aside.

  • In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

  • In a salad bowl, combine cucumber, chickpeas, red onion, mint, and parsley.

  • Drain any excess water from the bulgur and combine it with the veggies in the salad bowl.

  • Sprinkle with pistachios and feta cheese, followed by the dressing, and serve immediately.

Notes

TO STORE. This salad is excellent for meal prep. You can make it in bulk and portion it in airtight containers so that it lasts the whole week in the refrigerator!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 413kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 13gFat: 17gSodium: 315mgPotassium: 601mgFiber: 15gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 665IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 4mgNET CARBS: 42g

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Author: Arman Liew

Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Jennifer Aniston Salad (2024)

FAQs

What is the salad Jennifer Aniston eats every day? ›

She did in fact, eat a cobb salad instead everyday consisting of chopped lettuce, chicken breast, turkey bacon, boiled egg, and so on with her co-star Lisa Kudrow.

How healthy is the Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad (Famous Viral Recipe!)

Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats … this lettuce-less salad is just as nutritious as it is delicious. Perfect for a healthy dinner, lunch, or meal prep!

Did Jennifer Aniston eat the same salad for 10 years? ›

Well friends, I am sad to report if you haven't heard already…Jennifer Aniston has publicly debunked the viral salad recipe that she ate on the set of Friends every day for 10 years, and has set the record straight that it was actually…the Jennifer Aniston Cobb Salad.

Why is it called the Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

By now we all know the famous Jennifer Aniston Salad – the viral recipe from almost two years ago – was actually not the salad that the actress ate every single day on the set of Friends. Instead, it was something she once shared on Instagram – and listed the ingredients and called it her perfect salad.

Is the Jennifer Aniston salad low carb? ›

Jennifer Aniston's go-to lettuce-less salad boasts a nutritious blend of assorted vegetables, crunchy nuts, and hearty plant-based proteins to deliver a high-protein, low-carb meal that you can make in minutes.

What does Jennifer Aniston eat for snacks? ›

Snacks. To stay energized between meals, Aniston drinks plenty of water and snacks on a healthy carb source and/or something that packs a protein punch. An apple with almond butter, a cheese stick, a handful of nuts or a cup of soup are on frequent rotation.

Can you lose weight on Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

It's a Great Source of Protein

Protein reduces your appetite and can aid in weight loss and boosts energy levels, but it builds strong bones, cartilage, and skin. Feder tells us that Aniston's favorite salad is packed with protein, which helps with weight loss and maintaining good health.

What is the healthiest salad to eat everyday? ›

Best: Salad Loaded With Veggies

Add a mix of veggies to your salad to get more nutrition and flavor. Top those leafy greens with crunchy produce like carrots, cucumbers, or broccoli. Then add a punch of color from tomatoes, bell peppers, beets, or red onion.

How many calories are in 1 cup of Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

One serving of the Jen salad recipe contains about 402 calories.

Does Jennifer Aniston eat junk food? ›

Although Aniston doesn't eliminate any food groups from her diet, she typically avoids processed foods and limits her intake of sugar. Here are some of the foods she limits: Processed foods: frozen meals, french fries, chips, pretzels, fast food, fried foods.

Can you meal prep the Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

Quick and easy to whip up – you only need 10 ingredients (plus salt + pepper) and one bowl! It holds up well in the fridge so it's the perfect meal prep recipe. Prep this over the weekend and have lunch ready to go for the entire week!

How much weight did Rachel lose on Friends? ›

But did you that actress Jennifer Aniston who essayed the role of Rachel was forced to drop 30 pounds (14kg) in order to land her career launching role on Friends.

What salad does Jennifer Aniston eat every day? ›

The Truth About the Jennifer Aniston Salad

This matches up with what Courtney Cox shared in a 2010 interview, declaring that she, Lisa Kudrow, and Aniston ate lunch together every day while filming Friends and always ate the same thing: a “doctored-up” Cobb salad with chickpeas and turkey bacon.

What is the Kim Kardashian salad? ›

Fresh and flavorful, La Scala Salad is a copycat recipe of the famous Italian chopped salad served at La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills. Rumor has it, Kim Kardashian orders this salad often, and for good reason!

What did Jennifer Aniston eat every day on Friends? ›

The salad Jen ate on the set of Friends was a Cobb Salad, while this salad is a riff on a tabbouleh. She shared it years ago on Instagram with the caption “My perfect salad”, and was nice enough to also list the ingredients that were inside her bowl. Celebrities — they're just like us!

What did Jennifer Aniston eat every day on the set of Friends? ›

How this below recipe went viral as Jennifer Aniston's go-to salad is hard to tell. According to Courtney Cox's Los Angeles Times interview, the salad they ate every day on set was actually a “doctored up” Cobb salad with turkey bacon, chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, garbanzo beans, and so on.

What is in a Jennifer Aniston Cobb salad? ›

The true salad that she ate on set consisted of shredded lettuce, chicken, egg whites, chickpeas, bacon, and a basic vinaigrette, she explained. Occasionally, Aniston would add pecorino cheese from a nearby Italian restaurant to top off the Cobb-style salad.

What does Jennifer Aniston eat in the morning? ›

“When I wake up, I have warm lemon water and then I have a shake or avocado and eggs, which is one of my favorites,” Aniston says. “I sprinkle a little coconut oil on that. Sometimes I'll have a puffed millet cereal with a banana, or I'll do oatmeal with an egg white whipped in at the end.”

What is Jennifer Aniston Favourite meal? ›

Jennifer Aniston has revealed her favourite comfort food - nachos. The Hollywood star, 55, often indulges in the cheesy treat, and even once admitted that she would still eat nachos even if they had fallen on the floor. “I love Mexican food in general,” she later said, doubling down on her obsession.

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