Jennifer Aniston Salad
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My Jennifer Aniston salad features bulgur, fresh veggies, chickpeas, crumbled feta, and roasted pistachios tossed in lemon juice and olive oil.
I love a hearty and flavor-packed salad, so when I saw Jennifer Aniston’s salad go viral on TikTok, I knew I had to try it out.
If you aren’t aware of what this famous salad entails, it consists of bulgur, crunchy vegetables, creamy feta, and a generous helping of pistachios and chickpeas. Apparently, she ate it every day on the set of Friends!
I tested this salad a few times with quinoa, couscous, and bulgar to see which held up best. Bulgur gave the most authentic, hearty texture while still being light enough for daily lunches.
Table of Contents
Why you need my Jennifer Aniston salad recipe
Whether or not Jennifer Aniston did eat this salad daily, it’s become one of my weekly staples. It has enough fun elements that my salad-hating sister has started making it too.
- Light yet filling. This salad makes the perfect lunch, especially if you want something meat-free. You won’t feel stuffed, yet it’ll keep you full for a long time.
- Healthy and balanced. You get the carbs from bulgur, healthy fats from pistachios and olive oil, and protein from chickpeas and the feta cheese.
- Simple. This salad doesn’t require complicated appliances, cooking techniques, or long preparation times.
- Perfect for meal prep. I like to make a big batch of this salad on the weekend and have lunches sorted for the week ahead.
What readers are saying
★★★★★ – “I saw this recipe on TikTok and knew I had to try it. It’s so easy, and your recipe was easy to follow.” – Tande
★★★★★ – “This has become my new meal prep salad. It tastes just as good on day 5 as it does on day 2.” – Milena
Key Ingredients
- Bulgur. Start with uncooked bulgur. If you cannot find bulgur wheat, make this recipe with quinoa or couscous.
- Cucumber. Persian cucumbers are my preference as they add a nice crunch to the salad. Thinly slice your cucumber so it becomes evenly distributed.
- Chickpeas (garbanzo beans). I tested this with both canned and freshly cooked chickpeas. Both work, but canned saves time and still delivers great texture. You can also make my roasted chickpeas or air fryer chickpeas instead (the flavor is SO good!).
- Red onion. Finely diced. This adds a nice peppery element.
- Fresh herbs. I use fresh parsley and mint for this salad. Chop your herbs finely so that they distribute well.
- Pistachios. In culinary school, we were taught that toasting nuts first enhances flavor – that’s why I prefer roasted pistachios. Other nuts, such as almonds, or seeds, like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, will also work.
- Feta cheese. Every good salad needs a cheesy element, and this one uses feta. To keep this salad dairy-free, use a vegan feta.
- Dressing. I like to use a simple combination of lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
How to make a Jennifer Aniston salad
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Boil the bulgur. Add bulgur and water to a pot and allow it to boil. Simmer it, covered, for 10 minutes.
Step 2- Make the dressing. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Step 3- Toss the salad. Mix all salad ingredients in a bowl.
Step 4- Assemble. Drizzle it with lemon dressing and mix until combined.
Recipe variations
- Cook your bulgur in broth. Use chicken or vegetable stock instead of good old plain water for cooking your bulgur.
- Customize it. Add your favorite veggies, seeds, nuts, and legumes.
- Soak onions. Soak chopped onions in cold water to remove the sharp onion flavor.
- Add sweet elements. Add pomegranate or dried berries to the salad to balance off the savoriness.
- Add more protein. While chickpeas are full of protein, feel free to increase the protein content by adding tofu pieces or your favorite meat (I love to quickly air fry some air fryer chicken breast, air fryer shrimp, or some air fryer steak!). For a flavor explosion, add some sliced smoked chicken breast.
Frequently asked questions
No, it is not. Bulgur is made from wheat, which is not gluten-free. You can make this with quinoa instead.
Yes, you can. In fact, it tastes even better the longer it sits because the flavors meld together. You can prepare it up to two days in advance to serve fresh or portion it out for meal prep lunches throughout the week.
Storage instructions
To store. You can make it in bulk and portion it in airtight containers so that it lasts the whole week in the refrigerator!
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Because this salad recipe discusses health benefits and nutrient tips, the nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT
Jennifer Aniston Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup bulgur uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cucumber thinly sliced
- 13 ounces chickpeas canned
- 1/3 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/3 cup mint chopped
- 1/3 cup parsley chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted pistachios chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Place the bulgur in a small pot with water and bring it to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Cook for 10 min and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- In a salad bowl, combine cucumber, chickpeas, red onion, mint, and parsley. Drain any excess water from the bulgur and combine it with the veggies in the salad bowl. Add the pistachios and feta cheese and toss until combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over the top and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
More fresh salad recipes
Originally published July 2023
I followed Arman’s advice and made a big batch ahead for the week. This is a delicious and very satisfying salad. I did add some s sweet red bell pepper. What a great addition to our healthy routine!
I didnt know Jennifer Aniston like to eat bulgur so much. Really interesting. I also like it!
Your recipes are better than money! For others who have loved ones with gluten issues, quinoa makes a great substitute for the bulgar.
Hahaha what an amazing name for recipe!
I absolutely love this salad! I had to substitute quinoa for the bulgur due to dietary restrictions. This is a very tasty and satisfying salad. I followed your advice and made a bunch for weekday lunches. It is flavor packed and full of nutrients. It’s also filling.
I just discovered your recipes. I have made the sautéed eggplant and I am obsessed. Now I want to make you Aniston salad!
Please do!
Loved this recipe. Great blend of flavors and heathy too. I took it to a party and it was a hit.
The BEST jennifer aniston salad recipe I’ve tasted!
We make this often. It is easy to make and is wonderful!
Looks so good looking forward to receiving your recipes!
Thank you for sharing.
Maggie
Looks great and I love a salad with lots of ingredients but this is far from low carb.
Thanks for the recipe. And I love Jen! And watched the Friends series twice!
Hello, Can u sub quinoa for the bulgur?
Quinoa or brown rice!