Try this Jennifer Aniston Salad and get what all the hype is about. This flavorful dish is a viral sensation and with one bite, you’ll be able to see why.
The story goes that Jennifer Aniston, as well as Lisa Kudrow and Courtney Cox, ate this salad together every single day of filming the show Friends for 10 years! That tells you how delicious this salad is that they never got bored after that long. And I have to agree. This dish is satisfying and so tasty, with lots of refreshing and scrumptious flavors.
With nuts, grains, beans, and veggies, all topped with a lemony dressing and tossed with fresh herbs, it’s no wonder that this salad is on everyone’s minds. It’s easy to make, perfect for meal prep, and goes well with other dishes as a side salad or as the main course. You can even tweak it to accommodate those with food allergies, or to fit individual preferences. This recipe is well worth trying. Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make this amazing Jennifer Aniston Salad.
Video Tutorial
Ingredient List
- Bulgur. Bulgur is parboiled cracked wheat. I often see people confuse it with couscous, but they’re not the same (couscous is tiny pasta). Medium-grain bulgur is best for this salad, so that’s what I recommend using. Quinoa can be used instead of bulgur if desired.
- Feta Cheese. Use high-quality feta for the best results.
- Cucumbers. I used Persian cucumbers. If you want to use English cucumbers, I recommend de-seeding them.
- Pistachios. These add a nice flavor and crunch to the salad, so don’t skip these.
- Onion. Red onion or another kind. Skip the onion, if you are not a fan.
- Chickpeas. Cook them yourself, or used canned ones.
- Mint. Adds a very special taste and aroma.
- Parsley.
- Dressing. Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
How to make Jennifer Aniston Salad
1. Cook the bulgur according to the package instructions. (Fine bulgur needs to be steeped and coarse needs to be cooked for 10 minutes). Allow the bulgur to cool and set aside.
2. To a medium bowl, add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk well.
3. To the same bowl, add the cooled bulgur, cucumbers, chickpeas, feta, onion, pistachios, parsley, and mint. Mix everything well and serve.
Tips for the best Jennifer Aniston Salad
- Allow the bulgur to cool. Cool the bulgur to room temperature or speed it up by placing it in the fridge. If it’s too warm, it will wilt the herbs and melt the feta.
- Use fresh ingredients. The fresh lemon juice really adds the best citrusy flavor, much better than concentrate. And the mint and parsley are so aromatic when fresh.
- Choose a good quality feta cheese. Feta cheese that comes in a block soaked in brine that you crumble yourself usually offers the best flavor.
- Deseed the cucumbers. If you’re using a variety of cucumber that has seeds, remove them. These can leave a bitter taste that won’t go well with your salad.
Variations to this Recipe
- Substitute the bulgur. Instead of bulgur, use quinoa in its place to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Add other vegetables. You can add other vegetables, such as red peppers, tomatoes, carrots, celery, mushrooms, or broccoli.
- Use another dressing. Make this with other dressings, like this Greek Salad Dressing, No-Oil Balsamic Salad Dressing, or Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing.
- Add protein. Make this even more satisfying by adding grilled chicken breast, shrimp, or steak.
How to Store
Store this Jennifer Aniston Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will last longer if the dressing is stored separately from the salad.
What to Serve this with
- Proteins. Serve this salad alongside Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast, Salmon in Creamy Sauce, Ahi Tuna Steak, or Chicken Rice Casserole.
- Pasta. Pair it with your favorite pasta, like this Radiatore Pasta in Creamy Sauce, Mushroom Spinach Pasta, Easy Angel Hair Pasta, or Spaghetti with Olive Oil and Garlic.
- Soup. Enjoy this delicious salad with a bowl of Hearty Mushroom Soup, Lentil and Kale Soup, Turkey Cabbage Soup, Creamy Vegetable Soup, or Chickpea Noodle Soup.
You are going to love this Jennifer Aniston Salad. It is flavorful, easy, and tastes great with other dishes or just on its own. Enjoy!
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Jennifer Aniston Salad
Try this Jennifer Aniston Salad and get what all the hype is about. This flavorful dish is a viral sensation and with one bite, you’ll be able to see why.
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked bulgur
- 1 can (14 oz.) canned chickpeas, rinsed
- 1 cup cubed cucumbers
- ⅔ cup feta crumbles
- ½ cup chopped pistachios
- ¼ medium red onion, diced
- ⅓ cup chopped mint
- ⅓ cup chopped parsley
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp. lemon juice
- ½ tsp. sea salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp. pepper
Instructions
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Cook the bulgur according to the package instructions. (Fine bulgur needs to be steeped and coarse needs to be cooked for 10 minutes). Allow the bulgur to cool and set aside.
-
To a medium bowl, add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk well.
-
To the same bowl, add the cooled bulgur, cucumbers, chickpeas, feta, onion, pistachios, parsley, and mint. Mix everything well and serve.
Notes
How to Store
Store this Jennifer Aniston Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will last longer if the dressing is stored separately from the salad.
Nutrition
Calories: 425kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 15gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 847mgPotassium: 528mgFiber: 11gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 795IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 3mg