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Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe

4.6 from 109 reviews

A refreshing and nutritious salad inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s favorite, combining fluffy quinoa, crunchy cucumber, fresh herbs, tangy lemon, salty feta, and crunchy pistachios for a vibrant, healthy dish perfect as a light lunch or side.

Ingredients

Scale

Grains

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water

Vegetables & Herbs

  • 1 cup cucumber, chopped
  • ½ cup parsley, chopped
  • ½ cup mint, chopped
  • ⅓ cup red onion, chopped

Proteins & Nuts

  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup roasted and salted pistachios, chopped
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Dressing & Seasoning

  • 2 lemons, juiced (about 56 tablespoons)
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Quinoa: Rinse and drain the quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural coating, saponin, which can taste bitter. Add the quinoa and 2 cups of water to a small pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Simmer the Quinoa: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the quinoa simmer gently for 15 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the grains are tender.
  3. Fluff and Cool: Remove the pot from heat and fluff the quinoa with a fork to separate the grains. Allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before mixing with other ingredients.
  4. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chopped cucumber, parsley, mint, red onion, pistachios, chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, ground pepper, and crumbled feta cheese. Mix well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
  5. Chill and Serve: The salad can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
  6. Storage: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days for freshness and optimal taste.

Notes

  • Rinsing quinoa is essential to remove bitterness.
  • Adjust lemon juice and seasoning according to taste for desired acidity and saltiness.
  • For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
  • This salad is perfect for meal prep as it keeps well for several days.
  • You can toast pistachios lightly to enhance their flavor if desired.

Keywords: Jennifer Aniston Salad, quinoa salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, chickpea salad, quinoa recipes, easy salad recipes