Jennifer Aniston's Salad: High-Protein Quinoa Salad

Name: The Jennifer Aniston Salad: Fresh Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dry quinoa; 2 cups vegetable Broth; 1 cup canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed); 1/2 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped); 1/4 cup fresh mint (finely chopped); 1/4 cup red onion (finely diced); 1 English cucumber (diced); 1/2 cup pistachios (chopped ); 1/2 cup feta ((or vegan feta)); 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup lemon juice (1-2 lemons); 1 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tbsp fresh mint (finely chopped); salt to taste

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Our high-protein version of Jennifer Aniston's salad features quinoa, chickpeas, fresh herbs, and crisp veggies tossed in a lemony mint vinaigrette. This quinoa salad is perfect for a side dish, quick lunch, or potluck. Easy to meal prep, perfect in lunchboxes, healthy, and super flavorful!

Close-up of a scoop of the Jennifer Aniston quinoa salad being served from a large bowl into a black and white patterned serving bowl, showing the creamy feta and fresh herbs on top.

The content provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. For more details, please refer to our disclaimer page.

Update 2024: The recipe post was updated with tips and serving size adjustments.

Jump to:

😍What Makes This Salad Special?
💪🏽Nutrient Highlight: Why Eat This
🥗Ingredients and Flavor Notes
🔁Substitutions & Variations
👩🏽‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions
💡Recipe Tips for Best Results
🍴Leftovers & Variation Ideas
🫙Meal Prep This Recipe
🥡How to Store
🫛Need More High-Protein Recipes?
❔FAQs About Jennifer Aniston’s Salad
🥣Recipe Pairings
📖 Recipe
📝Information Source

✋🏼E aí, pessoal! Hey there, friends!

If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Patricia, a mom of three who’s spent years perfecting recipes to fit our family’s gluten-free (and mixed-diet) lifestyle. And while we love our comfort foods, I love making healthy, nutritious recipes that are jam-packed with flavor.

So when I heard about Jennifer Aniston's Salad, I just had to check it out! With my own twist, of course :0) And no, I'm not talking about the Cobb salad she and Courteney Cox ate every day for 10 years on the set of Friends. This is not that salad!

I am talking about her bulgar salad, and what really stood out to me was how easily this salad can be made gluten-free and high in protein by swapping out bulgar for quinoa! And, while Jen did not share a dressing recipe, we have crafted the perfect blend of flavors to pair with the salad. Our signature lemony mint vinaigrette is a great gluten-free salad dressing that packs a burst of fresh flavor.

Jennifer Aniston shared this recipe on Instagram during a takeover for Living Proof. Titled "My perfect salad", this recipe went viral as a healthier tabbouleh recipe made with bulgar, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios.

Whether you're meal prepping for a busy week or need a travel-friendly meal for school lunches or camping trips with the family, this salad's got you covered.

😍What Makes This Salad Special?

Gluten-Free: Made with quinoa and chickpeas, our Jennifer Anniston Salad is gluten-free and high in protein.
Dairy-Free and Vegan Option: Jennifer Aniston's salad is just as great without the feta or by swapping for vegan feta. Plus, our dressing is made without dairy or animal products.
Protein-Packed: With chickpeas, quinoa, and feta, it's loaded with protein and nutrient-dense, keeping you full and fueled.
Easy Meal Prep: This salad is easy to make, stores well, and makes great leftovers.
Travels Well: Perfect to take to work, pack into lunchboxes, or bring along to a picnic or your camping adventures.

Need More Healthy Salads?

Tahini Ceasar Salad with Chickpea Croutons (High-Protein, Gluten-free)
Wild Rice and Roasted Veggies (High in Fiber, Gluten-Free)
Fresh Arugula and Spinach Salad Roasted Bean Croutons (High-Protein, Gluten-free)

The salad ingredients are fully mixed on a white plate with a red rim. The quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, feta cheese, red onion, pistachios, and parsley are evenly distributed, showing a blend of colors and textures.

💪🏽Nutrient Highlight: Why Eat This

As someone with a PhD in Health Science and Neuroscience, I'm always on the lookout for meals that satisfy the taste buds and support overall brain health. Here's why we love our version of Jennifer Annisotn's salad:

High in Protein (14g): Protein is essential for brain function, helping in the repair of brain cells, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which are crucial for communication within the brain (1, 2).
Contains Plant Fiber (7g): High fiber intake supports gut health, which is directly linked to brain health through the gut-brain axis (3).
Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids (from Polyunsaturated Fat, 5g): These fats are vital for brain health, improving cognition and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (4).
Rich in Vitamin A (1211IU) & Vitamin C (19mg): These vitamins aid in brain cell growth and combat oxidative stress (5).
Contains Iron (4mg) & Zinc (3mg): Play crucial roles in oxygen transportation and neuron development, vital for a healthy brain (6).

🥗Ingredients and Flavor Notes

Our Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad is the perfect blend of flavors and textures that make it a standout dish. Here's a look at the flavors and salad ingredients that bring this delicious salad to life:

Various ingredients are displayed on a marble countertop, each in separate white bowls with orange rims. The ingredients are labeled with text and include chopped pistachios, diced cucumber, dry quinoa, cooked chickpeas, diced red onions, chopped parsley, crumbled feta cheese, and minced mint. A note indicates that veggie broth is part of the recipe but not pictured.

Dry Quinoa: The base of our quinoa salad, providing a nutty flavor and a nice crunch, it's a great source of plant-based protein.
Vegetable Broth: Cooking quinoa in vegetable broth adds an extra layer of flavor, making the quinoa even more delicious.
Canned Chickpeas: Garbanzo beans boost the protein content and add a nice bit of texture to the salad.
Fresh Cucumbers: Cucumbers add a refreshing element to this salad along with a little crunch. Its mild flavor also allows the flavors of the mint, pistachios, and vinaigrette to come through.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a burst of freshness and color, echoing the fresh herbs that elevate any good salad.
Fresh Mint: This herb brings a unique freshness that complements the parsley beautifully, enhancing the salad's overall flavor profile.
Red Onion: Adds a sharp, slightly sweet flavor and a bit of crunch, contributing to the salad's complexity.
Pistachios: These nuts offer a delightful crunch and healthy fats, enriching the salad's texture and nutritional value.
Feta (or Vegan Feta): The creamy texture and tangy taste of feta cheese or its vegan alternative add depth, making Jennifer Aniston's salad even more versatile and appealing to various dietary preferences.

For full quantities, see the recipe card.

Our Signature Lemon-Mint Dressing Ingredients:

The perfect pairing for Jennifer Aniston's salad and the ultimate gluten-free salad dressing. Here is everything you will need:

Small containers hold ingredients for a salad dressing on a wooden serving board. The containers are labeled with text and include olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt.

Olive Oil: A staple in creating a delicious salad dressing, olive oil not only adds a smooth texture but also contributes healthy fats to our viral Jennifer Aniston salad recipe.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brings a bright, tangy flavor to the salad, enhancing the fresh herbs and making every bite of this healthy salad even more refreshing.
Maple Syrup: A touch of maple syrup in the dressing balances the acidity with a subtle sweetness, complementing the overall flavor profile of this famous salad.
Fresh Mint: Adding finely chopped fresh mint to the dressing ties together the flavors, echoing the fresh mint used in the salad itself for a burst of freshness.
Salt: A pinch of salt to taste perfects the salad dressing, highlighting the salad ingredients and ensuring this delicious salad is seasoned just right.

🔁Substitutions & Variations

Missing an ingredient? No worries, here are some easy swaps:

Quinoa: No quinoa? Try brown rice (gluten-free swap) or couscous (not gluten-free) for a similar texture and health benefits. The original Jennifer Aniston Salad was made with bulgar, which is another great choice if you aren't gluten-free.
Pistachios: Swap pistachios with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for that nice crunch. Each offers a unique flavor and a boost of healthy fats.
Herbs: If you're out of fresh parsley or mint, basil or cilantro can be a fresh alternative, adding a new twist to the original recipe.
Cucumber: Bell peppers or thinly sliced zucchini are great for adding crunch and color.
Red Onion: For a milder taste, green onion can be used in place of red onion, still keeping the salad flavorful.
Feta: Goat cheese is a creamy alternative, or for a dairy-free option, tofu feta can mimic the texture and tanginess of traditional feta.

👩🏽‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: How to Prepare the Quinoa:

Bring 2 cups of vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once boiling, stir in 1 cup of dry quinoa and return to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until all the liquid is absorbed about 8-12 minutes.

Pro Tip: Check your package instructions. Cooking quinoa, according to package directions, guarantees the best texture. We are simply replacing the water with veggie broth for this step.

A pot with vegetable broth is shown, and a hand is pouring dry quinoa into it, indicating the start of the cooking process.

A stainless steel pot on a grey cloth with cooked quinoa that appears fluffy and expanded after absorbing the liquid.

Step 2: Fluff and Cool Quinoa:

Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool to room temperature before adding it to the salad.

A hand is stirring the cooked quinoa in the pot, showcasing the texture of the quinoa after being cooked.

Cooked quinoa is transferred from the pot to a white plate with a red rim, similar to the first image, on a marble surface.

Step 3: How to Make The Dressing:

Into a mason jar (or small bowl), combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, and finely chopped fresh mint. Secure the lid and shake well until the ingredients are well mixed.

A hand is pouring olive oil into a clear glass container to prepare the dressing.

A clear glass container is shown with olive oil and chopped herbs in it, the contents are being mixed.

The final image of the dressing shows a glass container with a greenish mixture of olive oil and lemon juice infused with herbs, shaken and ready to be used.

Pro Tip: Making your simple lemon vinaigrette in a mason jar not only ensures a well-emulsified dressing but also makes for easy storage in an airtight container if you have leftovers.

Step 4: Combine Salad Ingredients:

Into a large bowl, combine the ingredients for your Jennifer Aniston salad. Mix the cooled quinoa, chopped parsley and mint, finely diced red onion, chopped pistachios, feta, and drained and rinsed chickpeas.

A bowl of prepared ingredients including cooked quinoa, diced cucumber, and whole chickpeas arranged in separate sections on a white plate with a red rim, placed on a marble surface. A wooden sushi mat and a grey cloth napkin can be seen in the background.

Jennifer Aniston Salad-ingredients (11).jpg: Alt Text: "Overhead view of a large white plate with a red rim on a marble countertop, with neatly arranged portions of diced cucumbers, cooked quinoa, whole chickpeas, finely chopped parsley, and minced red onions.

Step 5: How to Dress This Salad:

Drizzle your homemade dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure everything is evenly coated. Pour the dressing gradually, tasting as you go, to ensure the salad isn't overdressed. This keeps it light and allows the natural flavors of Jenifer Aniston's salad ingredients to shine.

A large white plate with red trim holds ingredients for a salad, including cooked quinoa, diced cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, chopped pistachios, diced red onion, minced parsley, and chickpeas. A hand is shown pouring a dressing made of olive oil and herbs over this Jennifer Aniston Salad recipe.

Ingredients on a large white plate are being mixed with a silver spoon by a hand. The plate contains quinoa, cucumber, feta cheese, chickpeas, red onion, parsley, and pistachios with a green herb-infused dressing drizzled over.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. This salad is versatile; enjoy it immediately or let it chill in the fridge for an hour to allow the flavors to meld. It's perfect for meal prep as it tastes even better the next day.

A person's hand is sprinkling crumbled feta cheese over a salad in a black and white patterned serving bowl, which is resting on a wooden striped board. A silver spoon and a second bowl of salad are also visible on the board.

💡Recipe Tips for Best Results

Quinoa Cooking: For fluffy quinoa, ensure you're using a 2:1 ratio of liquid to quinoa. Cook in broth, ensure all the liquid is absorbed, and fluff with a fork.
Dressing Balance: Always taste and adjust your salad dressing recipes! The key is to find a balance between your preference for tangy and sweet.
Prevent Sogginess: To keep the salad fresh, dress the salad lightly before storing it. You can always add a bit more dressing before serving. Store your Jennifer Aniston salad in an airtight container in the fridge!
Herb Freshness: Use freshly chopped herbs for the best flavor. If you're meal prepping, consider adding the herbs closer to serving time to keep their flavors bright.

🍴Leftovers & Variation Ideas

Leftovers of this delicious Jennifer Aniston Salad are perfect for meal prep, tasting even better the next day as the flavors meld together. For a variation, consider:

Adding Grilled Chicken or Crispy Tofu: To up the protein content and keep it meatless, we love adding our crispy tofu recipe. We also used it for our famous fiery spring rolls.
Veggie Loaded: Add roasted sweet potatoes, squash, or whatever you have on hand to increase the fiber and nutrients.
Brisket topping: One of our current favorite ways to eat leftovers is topped with our beef brisket! We meal prep both on the weekend and enjoy them together as leftovers.
Wrap it up: This quinoa salad is amazingly wrapped into a burrito.
Dressing Switch up: We make this high-protein quinoa salad often, so we like to check up the dressing. Try it with our basil-balsamic vinegarette or our creamy tahini caesar!

🫙Meal Prep This Recipe

This high-protein quinoa salad is the perfect dish to meal prep. Easy to batch-make and store; it's almost better the next day! You can easily double the recipe or make it on a Sunday afternoon for easy grab-and-go lunches. We often send our boys to school with some in their lunchboxes. Just leave the pistachio out if you're in a nut-free zone.

Close-up of the Jennifer Aniston salad showcasing the textures and colors of the combined ingredients: chickpeas, diced cucumber, crumbled feta, chopped pistachios, red onion, parsley, and quinoa.

🥡How to Store

Store any leftovers of the Jennifer Aniston salad recipe in an airtight container in the fridge. Properly stored, the salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days. For the best experience, keep the dressing separate and add just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

🫛Need More High-Protein Recipes?

If you are looking for more high-protein or well-balanced recipes be sure to check out these:

A bowl of the Jennifer Aniston quinoa salad, neatly arranged on a wooden board with a sushi mat underneath. The mix includes chickpeas, quinoa, cucumber, and feta, sprinkled with red onion and herbs

❔FAQs About Jennifer Aniston’s Salad

What makes Jennifer Aniston's salad so special?

This salad gained popularity for its healthy ingredients and the fact that Jennifer Aniston reportedly enjoyed it regularly. It's known for being a balanced meal with a good mix of protein, smart carbs, healthy fats, and veggies.

Can I use a different grain instead of quinoa?

Yes, the Jennifer Aniston salad is traditionally made with bulgur wheat, but quinoa is a great gluten-free alternative. Brown rice or farro can also be used as substitutes.

Can I prepare Jennifer Aniston's salad in advance for meal prep?

Yes, this salad is perfect for meal prep. Prepare the ingredients and store them separately or assemble the salad without the dressing, which can be added right before serving.

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🥣Recipe Pairings

If you enjoyed this high-protein version of Jennifer Aniston's Salad then we know you will love these too:

👋🏼Até logo, amigos! Keep savoring every bite and don’t forget—life’s better with a little flavor and fun. Até a próxima!

📖 Recipe

📝Information Source

Das, K. P., Das, P. C., Dasgupta, S., & Dey, C. D. (1993). Serotonergic-cholinergic neurotransmitters' function in brain during cadmium exposure in protein restricted rat. Biological trace element research, 36(2), 119–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02783170
Ansari, A. H., Singh, D., & Singh, S. (2024). Effect of plant-based diets on the brain. In Nutraceutical Fruits and Foods for Neurodegenerative Disorders (pp. 249-260).
Berding, K., Carbia, C., & Cryan, J. F. (2021). Going with the grain: Fiber, cognition, and the microbiota-gut-brain-axis. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.), 246(7), 796–811.
Rao, A. S., Nair, A., Nivetha, K., Ayesha, B., Hardi, K., Divya, V., Veena, S. M., Anantharaju, K. S., & More, S. S. (2024). Impacts of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Natural Elixirs for Neuronal Health, on Brain Development and Functions. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 2761, 209–229.
Fiona E. Harrison, James M. May (2009). Vitamin C function in the brain: vital role of the ascorbate transporter SVCT2. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 4696) 719-730, ISSN 0891-5849.
Ward, R. J., Zucca, F. A., Duyn, J. H., Crichton, R. R., & Zecca, L. (2014). The role of iron in brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. The Lancet Neurology, 13(10), 1045-1060.

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