Jennifer Aniston Salad

The Jennifer Aniston Salad became famous on social media! It’s a mix of chickpeas, herbs, veggies, pistachios, feta cheese, and a simple lemon dressing.

What Is The Jennifer Aniston Salad?

Jennifer Aniston worked with a company on Instagram to make and share a salad recipe. She called it her perfect salad, with barley, chickpeas, herbs, pistachios, and feta cheese. Different versions of this salad are now popular on social media platforms.

What Is In The Jennifer Aniston Salad:

• Pearled Couscous (or quinoa/bulgur wheat): Use whatever you have on hand or like the best! Israeli couscous has a nice texture. Quinoa and Bulgur are also delicious.
• Diced Cucumbers: Use English cucumbers for crispness and flavor. Plus the peel is so delicate you don’t need to remove it.
• Diced Red Onion: If you don’t like raw onion flavor, soak the diced pieces in salted ice water for 10 minutes, then drain.
• Fresh Parsley: Use fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
• Fresh Mint: Adds a cool, refreshing flavor. You can use basil instead if you prefer or if mint is not available.
• Chickpeas: Drain, rinse, and dry before adding to this salad.
• Roasted Pistachios: Use dry-roasted and salted pistachios for extra flavor. If using raw nuts, toast them lightly for better flavor.
• Feta Cheese: Adds a tangy and creamy flavor. Goat cheese is a good substitute, or you can leave it out for a dairy-free option.

Jennifer Aniston Salad Dressing

This is where I mixed things up a bit and added some extra ingredients to make it more exciting. Instead of just using lemon juice and olive oil, there are a few more ingredients:

• Lemon Juice and Zest: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor. The zest gives an extra citrusy kick.
• Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for a rich flavor in the dressing.
• Minced Garlic: Adjust the amount based on how much you like garlic.
• Honey: Balances the tartness of the lemon and vinegar. You can use maple syrup for a vegan option.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a mild tang and helps mix the dressing well.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor to the dressing. Adjust to taste if you’d like a milder flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Season to taste. Start with the listed amounts and add more as needed. An extra pinch can be the difference between a good and a great dressing!

Recipe Tips

• Use Fresh Lemon: Fresh lemon juice gives the dressing a better flavor.
• Add Dressing Gradually: Start with a little and add more as needed. The amount you need depends on the grain you use (couscous, quinoa, or bulgur).
• Serve Immediately: Dress the salad just before serving to keep it fresh.
• Add Protein: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak to this Jennifer Aniston salad to make it more filling.
• Customize Ingredients: Add extras like avocado, tomatoes, or bell peppers.
• Cool Couscous Quickly: Spread on a tray to cool and prevent clumping.

More Delicious Salads:

• Tuna Nicoise Salad with a lemon dressing
• Peach Salad with a balsamic dressing
• Garden Salad with a simple dressing
• Cucumber Feta Salad with a lemon dressing
• Summer Couscous Salad with a white balsamic dressing

SaveSaved Pin Print

5 from 4 votes

Jennifer Aniston Salad

By Chelsea Lords

The Jennifer Aniston Salad became famous on social media! It's a mix of chickpeas, herbs, veggies, pistachios, feta cheese, and a simple lemon dressing.

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients 

USMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup pearled couscous (or quinoa/bulgur wheat) (Note 1)
• ▢ 1 cup diced cucumbers (1 English cucumber)
• ▢ 1 cup diced red onion (1/2 large onion)
• ▢ 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (1 bunch)
• ▢ 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint
• ▢ 1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas, drained & rinsed
• ▢ 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted pistachios
• ▢ 1/2 cup feta cheese

Dressing (Note 2)

• ▢ 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (~1 lemon), plus 1 tsp lemon zest
• ▢ 1/2 cup olive oil
• ▢ 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ▢ 1 tablespoon honey
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• ▢ 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• ▢ Salt & pepper  (1/2 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper)

Instructions 

• COUSCOUS: Cook the couscous according to package directions (see Note 1). Transfer to a large bowl and refrigerate until chilled.
• DRESSING: Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar. Shake well and refrigerate until ready to use.
• SALAD: Add the remaining salad ingredients to cooled couscous. Shake the dressing and drizzle over the salad (add to taste; you may not need it all). Gently toss to combine and serve immediately.
• STORAGE: This salad doesn’t store well once dressed, as the couscous absorbs the dressing and becomes soggy. Only dress what you plan to eat. This salad does not freeze well.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Use Israeli or pearled couscous as shown in the recipe. Follow package directions for cooking. (Bring 1 1/2 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon olive oil to a boil. Add couscous, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender.) You can also use quinoa or bulgur wheat. For a shortcut, use microwaveable quinoa. 

Note 2: This may be more dressing than you'll need depending on the grain needed. Couscous soaks up more dressing so it needs more! Quinoa needs less. Add gradually and to taste.

Note 3: English cucumbers have the best flavor and texture. They stay crisp longer than regular cucumbers.

Note 4: Red onion: If you find raw red onion too strong, soak the diced onion in salted ice water for 10 minutes, then drain thoroughly before adding.

Note 5: Fresh herbs: I recommend using both parsley and mint, but you can use just one or substitute with fresh basil.

Note 6: Pistachios: Dry-roasted and salted pistachios are more flavorful and easier to use. If using raw nuts, roast them first for better flavor.

Note 7: Feta: Feel free to omit the feta or substitute with goat cheese. For a vegan option, add a ripe diced avocado for creaminess.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.9g | Protein: 9.5g | Fat: 18.8g | Cholesterol: 11.1mg | Sodium: 394.3mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4.1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!