Jennifer Aniston Salad – Quinoa Salad

Jump to Recipe

The Jennifer Aniston Salad – Quinoa Salad is made with cucumbers, feta cheese, red onion, and a simple vinaigrette. This flavorful salad can be served as a side dish or just a simple lunch! The Jennifer Aniston Salad is fresh, crunchy, and packed with plant-based protein and crunchy chickpeas. Drizzled with a simple three-ingredient dressing, it’s a perfectly light and refreshing salad. 

INGREDIENTS IN JENNIFER ANISTON SALAD

• Chicken/Vegetable Stock: Cook the quinoa in chicken stock to give it more flavor. Vegans or Vegetarians use vegetable broth or stock.
• Quinoa: Quinoa is a nutrient-dense seed, not a grain, and is a great source of plant-based protein, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Chickpeas:  Chickpeas, aka garbanzo beans, are high in fiber and protein.
• Cucumber: Diced cucumber provides a fresh crunch.
• Red Onion: The red onion also adds a nice crunch to this salad. If you don’t like raw onions, substitute it with chopped green onion or chives.
• Fresh Mint and Parsley: The mint and parsley take this salad to another level. Please don’t skip out on these ingredients the herbs provide a fresh flavor.
• Pistachios: Chopped pistachios provide a salty, satisfying crunch and added protein. Chopped walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds would be great substitutes.
• Feta Cheese:  Crumbled feta cheese amplifies the flavor of this salad. If you need to keep the salad dairy-free or vegan, you can use vegan feta or exclude it.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemons
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Honey

HOW TO PREPARE JENNIFER ANISTON SALAD?

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEMON DRESSING:

Add the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and honey to a jar with a tight-fitting lid or small bowl. Shake the jar or use an immersion blender or whisk to combine. Set this aside for now.

CONSTRUCTING THE SALAD:

Add the chicken or vegetable stock and the quinoa to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer for fifteen minutes until the quinoa is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork. Put the lid back on the pot and place it in the refrigerator until the quinoa is cooled. This step can be prepared a day in advance.

Add the chilled quinoa and all the other remaining salad ingredients to a large bowl.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. You can serve immediately or you could refrigerate for a couple of hours to let the flavors marinate together.

Refrigerate this salad for up to three days. Eat it for lunch or eat it as a side dish paired with protein. You could add chopped cold chicken to the salad and make it a complete meal.

WHAT TO SERVE QUINOA SALAD WITH?

I think this salad is satisfying on its own. Eat it for dinner or lunch or eat it as a side dish paired with protein. Or you could add chopped cold chicken to the salad and make it a complete meal. Here are some protein ideas to pair this with:

• Easy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders

• Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast

• Honey Glazed Parmesan Chicken

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

The popularity of Jennifer Aniston Salad – Quinoa Salad is insane. The already viral salad recipe can be made even better with these few variations:

• Cheese Substitutions: Replace the feta cheese with crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese.
• Nut Replacement:  Use roasted almonds or cashews. In addition to sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead of pistachios.
• Add More Greenery: Serve the salad over a bed of baby spinach, arugula, or mixed greens. Even chopped romaine lettuce would be amazing.
• More Veggies: Add chopped avocado, halved grape tomatoes, red or green peppers, or grated carrots.
• Add More Salt. Mix in chopped black or green olives into the salad.
• Add More Sweetness. Add dried cranberries or raisins for a touch of sweetness.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS

You can store the dressed salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 4-5 days.