Name: Jennifer Aniston Salad for Supper
Yield: 6

The Jennifer Aniston Salad became famous on social media! It’s a mix of chickpeas, herbs, veggies, pistachios, feta cheese, and a simple lemon dressing.

Did Jennifer Aniston eat the same salad every day?!

Even though this is called her “ideal” salad, it’s not the famous salad she ate daily while filming Friends. Her co-star, Courtney Cox, shared in an interview that she, Jennifer, and Lisa Kudrow ate a Cobb Salad together every day for lunch.

So, while this viral salad isn’t the one she had on set, it’s her current favorite. I’ve added my own twists and might just eat it every day for months!

What Is The Jennifer Aniston Salad?

Jennifer Aniston worked with a company on Instagram to make and share a salad recipe. She called it her reliable salad, with barley, chickpeas, herbs, pistachios, and feta cheese. Different versions of this salad are now popular on social media platforms.

All the ingredients in this recipe are prepped for straightforward assembly, including cucumbers, mint, dressing, parsley, feta, couscous, pistachios, red onion, and chickpeas.

What Is In The Jennifer Aniston Salad:

Pearled Couscous: Israeli couscous is a reliable. Quinoa and Bulgur are also great.
Cucumbers: It is satisfying to English cucumbers for their crisp flavor—and no peeling needed!
Red Onion: Don’t like raw onion flavor? Soak diced pieces in salted ice water for 10 minutes, then drain.
Fresh Parsley: Use fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Fresh Mint: You can use basil instead if you prefer or if mint is not available.
Chickpeas: Drain, rinse, and dry before adding to this salad.
Roasted Pistachios: Use dry-roasted and salted pistachios for extra flavor.
Feta Cheese: Goat cheese is a good substitute, or you can leave it out for a dairy-free.

Featured Comment

“I loved this salad! It makes a great lunch or cold side dish. I think it would be a great dish to bring to a BBQ or Summer party. It is surprisingly filling.”
– Briana

The couscous and all the other ingredients being layered into a large bowl and the dressing being mixed together in a mason jar for this Jennifer Aniston Salad.

Jennifer Aniston Salad Dressing

This is where I mixed things up a bit and added some extra ingredients to make it more exciting. Instead of just using lemon juice and olive oil, there are a few more ingredients:

Lemon Juice and Zest: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor. The zest gives an extra citrusy kick.
Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for a rich flavor in the dressing.
Minced Garlic: Adjust the amount based on how much you like garlic.
Honey: Balances the tartness of the lemon and vinegar. You can use maple syrup for a vegan option.
Dijon Mustard: Adds a mild tang and helps mix the dressing well.
Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor to the dressing. Adjust to taste if you’d like a milder flavor.
Salt and Pepper: Season to taste. Start with the listed amounts and add more as needed. An extra pinch can be the difference between a good and a great dressing!

Recipe Tips

Use Fresh Lemon: Fresh lemon juice gives the dressing a better flavor.
Add Dressing Gradually: Start with a little and add more as needed. The amount you need depends on the grain you use (couscous, quinoa, or bulgur).
serve while it is hot: Dress the salad just before serving to keep it fresh.
Add Protein: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak to this Jennifer Aniston salad to make it more filling.
Customize Ingredients: Add extras like avocado, tomatoes, or bell peppers.
Cool Couscous Quickly: Spread on a tray to cool and prevent clumping.

Storage

Leftovers?

Dressed Salad: The Jennifer Aniston Salad doesn’t keep well once you add the dressing. The couscous soaks up the dressing and gets mushy.
Undressed Salad: Only add dressing to the part you will eat right away. The undressed salad stays fresh for 3-5 days in a sealed container in the fridge.
Freezing: This salad doesn’t freeze well.