Easy Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe
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The Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe is very easy and refreshing. It requires few fresh ingredients like quinoa, cucumbers, chickpeas and few more drenched in basic salad dressing. This Summer Salad Recipe is packed with nutrient rich ingredients and is perfect as side dish or light meal.
Since this salad can easily be a makeahead dish, it isperfect for get togethers, potlucks and grill-outs. This summer salad needs minimum cooking and is done under 30 minutes! YAY!
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Delicious Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe
Further this Vegetarian Couscous Salad is another great addition to the other salads on the blog –Mediterranean Couscous Salad, Cold Pasta Salad, Spinach Strawberry Salad, Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, Cold Asian Noodle Salad Recipe, Chickpeas Greek Salad, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, and more.
This grain based salad with plenty of fresh veggies, beans, cheese and olives is perfect for the days when you want a salad but somehting more filling.
Top 5 Reasons I like this Easy Quinoa Salad
- This Salad comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Quinoa Salad is perfefct as a meal for hot sprinng or summer days!
- Since it is so simple to make, you can make it ahead of time and serve it cold or at room temperature.
- This dish is perfect to take for picnics, potlucks, and grill outs.
- It is great to pack for work lunches and kids’ lunch boxes.
- Perfect as a refreshing vegetarian side to any meal.
Why is Jennifer Salad so popular?
The rumor has it that Jennifer Aniston aka Rachel Ray ate this salad for 11 years staright on the sets of the popular series FRIENDS. And this salad kept her in shape.
Although I am not sure how true it is but hey I made this salad and the whole family loved it. It was so easy to put together with just handful ingredients.
However there is another rumor that the actual salad was a Cobb Salad but I am giving this version of salad 2 thumbs up.
What are the ingredients of Jennifer Aniston Salad from the sets of the series Friends?
As I mentioned above, this salad requires only few handful ingredients.
Quinoa – Although quinoa is my favorite, but many folks use bulgar also.
Chickpeas – These add the needed plant based protein to the salad. Now you can use the canned (and drained) chickpeas or home cooked chickpeas.
Pistachios – Roasted Pistachios taste amazing in this salad. You can either buy the roasted pistachios or roast them at home.
Cucumbers – Although you can use any kind of cucumbers, I would recommend either seedless cucumbers or Persian cucumbers.
Red Onions – Please try to stick to the red onions since these ad the needed flavor.
Herbs – A combination of Mint leaves and Parsley leaves add amazing refreshing touch.
Feta Cheese – Creamy & Salty Feta is perfect in this salad. But hey you can make it your salad by adding the cheese of your choice.
Lemon Juice – I would highly recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Use a good quality Extra Virgin Olive oil.
Recipe Kitchen Gadgets
How to make Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe at home?
Now it is a very simple recipe to make. This recipe needs only few steps.
Cook Quinoa
Although you can cook quinoa however you want. I like cooking it in Instant Pot. Please find the instructions for both instant pot as well as gas top.
How to cook Quinoa in Instant Pot?
The ratio of quinoa to water is 1:1&1/4 where quinoa is 1 part and water is 1&1/4 part.
Wash 1 cup Quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Then transfer the quinoa to the Instant Pot and add 1&1/4 cups of water to it. Give it a good stir. Place the lid of the Instant pot and secure it. Place the valve to SEALING. Pressure cook for 3 minutes. Follow NPR (natural pressure release). Open the lid. Let stand for 10 minutes. Then fork gently. Meanwhile it cools, prep the other ingredients.
PRO TIP– You can cook quinoa ahead of time even a day before as a part of meal prep. Refrigerate it and use as needed.
Stove Top Instructions – For stove top cooking, follow the instructions as is as mentioned at the back of the packet.
Prepare the other Ingredients of the Salad
Vegetables – Wash and dry onions and cucumbers. Pat them dry. Further chop the cucumbers and red onions finely.
Herbs – Wash and dry mint and parsley leaves. Make sure to remove the thick stems. Further finely chop the herbs. Set aside.
Roasted Pistachios – Although I love using Roasted Pistachios but you can roast the raw pistachios at home. Make sure to roast on medium to low heat. Roughly chop the roasted pistachios.
Chickpeas – Open the can of chickpeas and drain it in a Kitchen Colander. Wash in cold tap water.
Put the Quinoa Salad Together
Take a large Mixing Bowl. Add cooled cooked quinoa, chopped cucumbers, red onions, chopped mint & parsley leaves, canned chickpeas, roughly chopped pistachios, feta cheese. Further add salt & pepper, extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice to it. Take Salad Tongs and toss the salad together.
Serving Suggestion
Albeit you can serve it immediately but it would taste amazing if you can refrigerate it for few hours. It is a great make-ahead meal/salad.
Can I personalize the famous Jennifer Aniston Salad?
I mean why not? Every single recipe can be adapted and eriched to your liking.
Vegetables – Cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers will add tons of flavors and texture.
Herbs – Dill, Cilantro, Basil are amazing taste enhancers.
Nuts & Dry Fruits – Since I had walnuts handy, I used these in my salald. But you can use sliced almonds or pistachios too. You can add raisins or dried cranberries to this salad. The sweet and tart dried fruit will add a good contrast to the salad.
Cheese – Since Feta is creamy and salty in taste, it is my favorite cheese for salalds. But gorgonzola or goat cheese will be great in this salad.
Make Ahead Tip – This Salad is great when you make ahead and refrigerate over night. It deepens the flavors. When you plan to make this salad ahead then toss the couscous in dressing and herbs. Refrigerate in an air tight container. When ready to serve, add chopped vegetables, nuts and feta. Mix and serve.
Storage – This salad can sit in the refrigerator for 3-4 days easily without loosing the flavors.
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How to make Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe at home?
Easy Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring Cups & Spoon
- Chopping board and knife
- Kitchen Colander
- Mesh Strainer
- Mixing Bowls
- Instant Pot
- Salad Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa uncooked
- 1&1/4 cup Water
- 1 can of 15.5 ounce Chickpeas
- 1/3 cup Pistachios roasted
- 1 cup or 1 medium Cucumber finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Red Onions finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Mint Leaves finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled see notes for options
- 4-5 tbsp Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- To Taste Salt & Pepper
Instructions
ALWAYS READ THE FULL RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST. THEN GATHER YOUR INGREDIENTS. PREP AND GET GOING. DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK THE NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO & TIPS.
Cook Quinoa
- Although you can cook quinoa however you want. I like cooking it in Instant Pot. Please find the instructions for both instant pot as well as gas top.
How to cook Quinoa in Instant Pot?
- The ratio of quinoa to water is 1:1&1/4 where quinoa is 1 part and water is 1&1/4 part.
- Wash 1 cup Quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Then transfer the quinoa to the Instant Pot and add 1&1/4 cups of water to it. Give it a good stir. Place the lid of the Instant pot and secure it. Place the valve to SEALING. Pressure cook for 3 minutes. Follow NPR (natural pressure release). Open the lid. Let stand for 10 minutes. Then fork gently. Meanwhile it cools, prep the other ingredients.
- PRO TIP– You can cook quinoa ahead of time even a day before as a part of meal prep. Refrigerate it and use as needed.
- Stove Top Instructions – For stove top cooking, follow the instructions as is as mentioned at the back of the packet.
Prepare the other Ingredients of the Salad
- Vegetables – Wash and dry onions and cucumbers. Pat them dry. Further chop the cucumbers and red onions finely.
- Herbs – Wash and dry mint and parsley leaves. Make sure to remove the thick stems. Further finely chop the herbs. Set aside.
- Roasted Pistachios – Although I love using Roasted Pistachios but you can roast the raw pistachios at home. Make sure to roast on medium to low heat. Roughly chop the roasted pistachios.
- Chickpeas – Open the can of chickpeas and drain it in a Kitchen Colander. Wash in cold tap water.
Put the Quinoa Salad Together
- Take a large Mixing Bowl. Add cooled cooked quinoa, chopped cucumbers, red onions, chopped mint & parsley leaves, canned chickpeas, roughly chopped pistachios, feta cheese. Further add salt & pepper, extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice to it. Take Salad Tongs and toss the salad together.
Serving Suggestion
- Albeit you can serve it immediately but it would taste amazing if you can refrigerate it for few hours. It is a great make-ahead meal/salad.
Video
Notes
Can I personalize the famous Jennifer Aniston Salad?
I mean why not? Every single recipe can be adapted and eriched to your liking. Vegetables – Cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers will add tons of flavors and texture. Herbs – Dill, Cilantro, Basil are amazing taste enhancers. Nuts & Dry Fruits – Since I had walnuts handy, I used these in my salald. But you can use sliced almonds or pistachios too. You can add raisins or dried cranberries to this salad. The sweet and tart dried fruit will add a good contrast to the salad. Cheese – Since Feta is creamy and salty in taste, it is my favorite cheese for salalds. But gorgonzola or goat cheese will be great in this salad. Make Ahead Tip – This Salad is great when you make ahead and refrigerate over night. It deepens the flavors. When you plan to make this salad ahead then toss the couscous in dressing and herbs. Refrigerate in an air tight container. When ready to serve, add chopped vegetables, nuts and feta. Mix and serve. Storage – This salad can sit in the refrigerator for 3-4 days easily without loosing the flavors.Top 5 Reasons I like this Easy Quinoa Salad
- This Salad comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Quinoa Salad is perfefct as a meal for hot sprinng or summer days!
- Since it is so simple to make, you can make it ahead of time and serve it cold or at room temperature.
- This dish is perfect to take for picnics, potlucks, and grill outs.
- It is great to pack for work lunches and kids’ lunch boxes.
- Perfect as a refreshing vegetarian side to any meal.
What are the ingredients of Jennifer Aniston Salad from the sets of the series Friends?
As I mentioned above, this salad requires only few handful ingredients. Quinoa – Although quinoa is my favorite, but many folks use bulgar also. Chickpeas – These add the needed plant based protein to the salad. Now you can use the canned (and drained) chickpeas or home cooked chickpeas. Pistachios – Roasted Pistachios taste amazing in this salad. You can either buy the roasted pistachios or roast them at home. Cucumbers – Although you can use any kind of cucumbers, I would recommend either seedless cucumbers or Persian cucumbers. Red Onions – Please try to stick to the red onions since these ad the needed flavor. Herbs – A combination of Mint leaves and Parsley leaves add amazing refreshing touch. Feta Cheese – Creamy & Salty Feta is perfect in this salad. But hey you can make it your salad by adding the cheese of your choice. Lemon Juice – I would highly recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice. Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Use a good quality Extra Virgin Olive oil. Salt & PepperRecipe Kitchen Gadgets
Kitchen Colander Chopping board and Knife Measuring Cups & Spoon Mixing Bowls Mesh Strainer Salad Tongs Instant PotNutrition
I am sure you are going to try this recipe soon. Please rate the recipe and leave your feedback in comments.
Sonal
Just love this salad with all it’s flavors. The fact that it’s vegetarian was perfect for my girlfriend lunch they loved it.
I love that this recipe uses fresh vegetables! Can’t wait to try it!
Love salads with chickpeas as they are so great as a filling lunch too. The combination of textures , colours and flavours are perfect.
Simple and delicious! Loved that you use a good amount of french herbs (that mint really made a huge difference!). And it’s definitely one of the most flavoursome quinoa dishes I’ve ever had! Thanks for the recipe!
So many delicious textures and flavors in this salad! We really enjoyed it.
I bet this would go really well at our Memorial Day BBQ! I’m definitely adding it to the menu.
I think my daughter would actually love this salad for lunch. She tries to eat healthy, but needs something with a little more substance than a green salad to make it through the school day.