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, flavor-packed salad, so when I saw Jennifer Aniston’s salad go viral on TikTok, I knew I had to try it.
If you’re unfamiliar with this famous salad, it combines bulgar, crunchy vegetables, creamy feta, chickpeas and plenty of pistachios for crunch. It’s said to be the salad Jennifer Aniston ate regularly while filming Friends, which only added to its popularity.
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.
Arman’s recipe highlights
Whether or not Jennifer Aniston did eat this salad daily, it’s become one of my weekly staples. It has so many fun textures and flavors that my salad-hating sister has started making it.
Light yet filling. This is one of my favorite lunches when I want something satisfying without feeling weighed down afterward.
Healthy and balanced. You get the fiber-rich bulgar and chickpeas, healthy fats from pistachios and olive oil, and a little extra protein from the feta.
Simple to make. This salad doesn’t require complicated appliances, cooking techniques, or long preparation times.
Perfect for meal prep. I often make a big batch on Sunday and portion it out for easy lunches throughout the week. The flavor gets even better as it sits.
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, such as sunflower 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 plain water when cooking your bulgur.
Tone down the onion. If you’re sensitive to raw onions, soak them in cold water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. It softens their shape bite without sacrificing flavor.
Add sweet elements. Add pomegranate or dried berries to the salad to balance off the savoriness.
Boost with 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
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, I think this salad tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge. The flavors have time to meld together, making it perfect for meal prep. I often make a batch on Sunday and enjoy it for lunches throughout the week.
Can I freeze the salad?
No, I don’t recommend freezing this salad. When thawed, the crunchy elements become watery and a little slimy, and the feta loses its sharp flavor.
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
What do you suggest to substitute for chickpeas?
Hi Dara, white beans, lima beans or even edamame could be a nice swap! If you’re not a fan of those though, it’s perfectly fine to simply omit them 🙂
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!