The Jennifer Aniston Salad has a ton of protein from plants, is crispy, and fresh. This salad is perfect for lunch or dinner because it is light and gluten-free.
Also known as “The One with the New Lunchtime Obsession.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m totally on board with anything that includes the words “Jennifer Aniston” thereafter. It must be effective if Jennifer Aniston finds it so.
However, the other day I found a recipe for what Jen had called her “perfect salad” and I just had to make it. A winner has been announced!
Aside from being a healthy source of plant-based protein, the Jennifer Aniston Salad is crunchy, fresh, and delicious. It’s become my go-to protein snack and lunch option following strenuous exercise.
Is there any way this salad could resemble a health goddess more?
Any Friends fan worth their salt knows that Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow all shared a single salad for a whole decade while filming the sitcom.
This salad is a variation on tabbouleh, whereas the one Jen had on the Friends set was a Cobb Salad. She kindly listed the ingredients in her bowl and uploaded the photo on Instagram with the caption “My perfect salad” few years ago. Famous people are regular people, too!
Aniston’s Jennifer Salad: What Is It?
I used cooked quinoa in place of the bulgur wheat foundation in Jen’s Instagram salad because bulgur isn’t gluten free. Quinoa, which is more accurately described as a nutrient-dense seed than a grain, is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and plant-based protein.
For more flavor, try cooking the quinoa in chicken stock or broth instead of water. Vegetable or chicken stock would work just as well. To make it vegetarian, you can use vegetable stock or broth instead of meat.
Garbanzo beans, or chickpeas, are a great source of protein and fiber. Canning chickpeas with less salt is my go-to for quick and easy cooking.
You may enjoy the refreshing bite of diced English cucumbers without the hassle of peeling or seeding them. You can substitute normal or Persian cucumbers if you like.
The quinoa salad gets a pleasant crunch from minced red onion, which gives it a pleasant spicy flavor. Chopped green onion is a delicious substitute for raw onion if you’re allergic.
Herbs: The fresh mint and parsley really bring out the flavor of this dish. Especially if you’re afraid of the mint, you should try it once because it will alter your mind. Herbs are a great source of vitamins, antioxidants, and a light, refreshing flavor.
Pistachios: Pistachios, when ground into a fine powder, add a salty, delicious crunch, taste, and protein to any dish. You could also use chopped almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds as an option.
Crumbled feta cheese gives this quick and healthful salad a tangy flavor. To make the salad dairy-free and suitable for vegans, you can use vegan feta or omit it altogether. The vegan feta from VioLife has rave reviews.
Salsa with Lemon: Even though Jen didn’t specify a dressing in her Instagram photo, I believe that a straightforward blend of lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and a touch of honey elevates the entire dish.
Fantastic for Making Dinner in Advance
The generous serving size of this salad makes it ideal for packing for lunches throughout the week. After combining all of the ingredients, including the dressing, transfer to separate storage containers or lidded wide-mouth mason jars.
Finish by topping with any protein or extra lettuce, and then cover. There you have it: quick and easy weeknight nutritious lunches!
How to Accompaniment It
This quinoa and chickpea salad is delicious on its own, but you can always add more protein and healthy fats if you choose. Consider these suggestions:
- Chicken breasts cooked in the air fryer or on the grill
- Grilled chicken
- Marinated shellfish
- Grilled or pan-fried steak
- Seafood (salmon, roasted or fried)
- Avocado in slices
Distinct varieties
What I love most about the Jennifer Aniston Salad is how readers have made it their own, and how warmly accepted it has been. Some ways to personalize this popular salad dish are as follows:
Swap out the cheese. Try crumbled goat cheese instead of feta. Goat cheese with honey would be perfect here!
Currency exchange for nuts. If you prefer nuts other than pistachios, you can substitute chopped roasted cashews, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
Include the lettuce. Arrange the salad on top of a bed of mixed greens, chopped romaine, or baby spinach.
Include Vegetables. Elevate the vegetables by using chopped carrots, celery, tomatoes, or peppers.
Salty. Add chopped green olives or kalamata to the salad.
Very nice. For an extra delicious touch, try adding dried cranberries.
I really hope you’ll try this beautiful salad; it’s fresh, crunchy, and healthful. Come on, we can start.
Recipe for Jennifer Aniston’s Favorite Salad
Preparation #1: Bring quinoa to a boil in vegetable or chicken stock.
In a small saucepan, bring the chicken or vegetable stock to a boil. Once boiling, add the dry quinoa. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until quinoa is soft and stock is absorbed. Use a fork to fluff the quinoa.
Making this dish is a breeze compared to boiling rice. Once the quinoa “pops” into miniature springs, you’ll know it’s done. I love the texture.
After the quinoa has cooled, transfer it to a covered storage container or big bowl and refrigerate until it is completely chilled.
Advice: I like to do this the day before so the quinoa can cool and be ready to mix with the other ingredients.
prepared quinoa in a large basin
- Level 2: Put Everything Together.
After the quinoa has cooled, toss in all the fixings. Chopped pistachios, crumbled feta cheese, sliced cucumber, minced red onion, rinsed and drained cannellini beans, and a can of navy beans are all in our supply. – In addition, a plethora of mint and parsley and other fresh herbs, finely chopped. That’s fantastic.
- Third, prepare the lemon dressing.
As a finishing touch, make a quick lemon dressing to drizzle over the salad. Mix the lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl or lidded mason jar until well combined. Add honey, pinches of salt and pepper, and drizzle with the juice. Blend or shake until well combined.
- Step 4: Add salad dressings.
Pour the lemon dressing over the quinoa salad and mix until combined; you don’t have to use all of it! Put it in the fridge for later or serve it immediately!
Tips for Storing
The salad, once dressed, will keep for four or five days in the fridge. Scoop it into individual-sized storage containers or put it in the large, covered mixing basin. Mason jar salads made with this salad are delicious! Transfer to mason jars with wide mouths and take with you!
This quinoa salad is a personal recipe from Jennifer Aniston, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Have fun!
Leave a Reply