30 Minute Meals
Jennifer Aniston Salad (Viral High-Protein Quinoa Salad) 🥗
Prep
20 minutes
Yield
6 servings
🥗 This viral Jennifer Aniston salad is the Friends cast's lunch secret - fresh herbs, crunchy pistachios, and orzo come together in just 20 minutes for the most addictive high-protein salad you'll make on repeat!
If you’ve been spending any time on TikTok over the last few months, you’ve probably seen the many iterations of the Jennifer Aniston salad that has gone viral.
This salad was Jenn’s go-to on the set of filming Friends throughout the 90s. In an interview with the LA Times in 2010, the ladies of the show revealed they ate lunch together every day for 10 years while the show was being filmed and what they ate was Jenn’s famous “Cobb Salad” that really isn’t a Cobb Salad at all. Jenn had her own special recipe, and it had to be good if they all ate it every day for 10 years, right? I wanted to take this Jennifer Aniston salad and make my version.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe
- Quick Prep: Make this Jennifer Aniston salad recipe in only 20 minutes. If the cast of Friends had time to make this every day, so do you.
- Flavorful: I love the flavor combos of the fresh herbs and the crunch of pistachios in this salad.
- Addictive: There’s a reason they could eat this one salad for 10 years.
- Versatile: Easily customize with different grains and add-ins to make it your own.
🍲 Ingredients
Orzo – In Jenn’s salad she used bulgur but I didn’t have any on hand in my pantry so I opted for orzo instead. As a Greek woman, I always have orzo on hand. This pasta adds a heartier, more substantial base to this Jennifer Aniston orzo salad and works beautifully with the fresh herbs and vegetables.
Spices – From what I gather, the OG salad didn’t include garlic and onion powder but I think it adds a little something, something to this recipe. Feel free to omit if you don’t have it on hand. These simple additions elevate the flavor profile without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
👩🍳 How to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad
- Cook the orzo according to the instructions on the package. Allow to cool.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine ALL of the ingredients.
- Mix to combine and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Enjoy this delicious salad!!
🧩 Troubleshooting
- Grain Clumping: Overcooked or not appropriately cooled. Fix with fork fluffing and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Too Dry: Add 1-2 tbsp extra lemon juice and olive oil after the salad has rested.
- Soggy: Cucumbers weren’t drained well, or too much dressing was added early.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Cooling: Cool grain completely before mixing to prevent wilting herbs.
- Texture: Chop cucumbers small for the best texture throughout.
- Feta: Crumble feta finely so it distributes evenly.
- Nuts: Add pistachios last to keep them crunchy.
🗒 Substitutions
- Grain Options: Use quinoa, bulgur, couscous, or orzo – any work beautifully.
- Protein: Add chicken, tofu, salmon, shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs for more protein.
- Nuts: Swap pistachios for almonds or walnuts.
- Dairy-Free: Swap the feta for your favorite dairy-free substitute to make this vegan.
🍽️ Best served with
- Quick and Easy Focaccia Bread
- Creamy Greek Chickpea Soup
- Grilled Feta Brine Chicken
- Shrimp, Feta + Spinach Stuffed Salmon
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Salad can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-6 days. The undressed base lasts 3-4 days, while the dressed version lasts 2-3 days. Add nuts and feta right before eating for best texture.
🤔 Common Questions
The original Jennifer Aniston salad from the Friends set used bulgur wheat. However, this has evolved into many versions on TikTok – some use quinoa, couscous, or orzo. My Jennifer Aniston orzo salad uses orzo because as a Greek woman, I always have it on hand, but you can use any grain you prefer. The key elements are chickpeas, cucumber, fresh herbs, pistachios, and a simple lemon dressing.
Yes! Any of these grains work beautifully. Bulgur is the original, quinoa adds more protein and is gluten-free, couscous cooks fastest, and orzo (what I use in this Jennifer Aniston orzo salad) creates a heartier pasta-salad texture. The ratios and other ingredients stay the same regardless of which grain you choose.
This salad keeps well in the fridge for 4-6 days in an airtight container. The undressed base lasts 3-4 days, and the fully dressed version lasts 2-3 days. It holds up much better than traditional leafy salads, making it perfect for meal prep.
Add grilled chicken, tofu, salmon, shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs to boost the protein. The chickpeas already provide plant-based protein, but adding extra protein makes this a complete, satisfying meal.
Yes! Mix the lemon juice, olive oil, and spices together and store in a jar in the fridge. Shake well before using. This makes assembling the salad even quicker during busy weeks.
It depends on your grain choice. Use quinoa instead of bulgur or orzo to make it gluten-free. For dairy-free, simply omit the feta or use a dairy-free substitute. The salad is easily customizable to meet various dietary needs.
Jennifer Aniston Salad (Viral High-Protein Quinoa Salad) 🥗
Your Greek mommy that is. 😍 Step into my kitchen to learn how to make yummy Greek food. 🍽️💃
Ingredients
- 2 cups orzo cooked
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- ¼ cup red onion thin slices
- 1 – 389 ml can chickpeas
- ½ cup feta
- ¼ cup pistachios
- ½ large avocado
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint chopped
Instructions
- Cook the orzo according to the instructions on the package. Allow to cool.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine ALL of the ingredients.
- Mix to combine and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Enjoy this delicious salad!!
This salad is the only salad I need in my life! So simple, just a little chopping but I could eat this multiple times a week. New fave!
isnt it just so fun and easy?!
Delish!! I used bulgur since I’m watching my girlish figure and could easily find at my local Whole Foods. Food-prepped for the week so I will be adding avocado as I make this. The onion powder and garlic powder were muy bueno and I also added a little dash of spike for some zing. Excellent re-creation!!
YESS TINA! This makes me so happy!
BEST. SALAD. EVER. I’ve eaten it almost every day this week haha.
I love your version better than the original!
GET IT GRETA! I love it too 🙂
This salad is AMAZING!! I can see how Jennifer ate it every day. It’s so quick and easy to make and the flavors are so refreshing!! And the fresh mint and parsley…OH MY!! I stumbled on your IG page and you had this salad featured. Of course now I’m a follower and will be looking to see what’s next to make! Thanks for a delicious salad!
thank you so much for the love!!!
Thank you for this twist. I really like the substitution of orzo. I added marinated artichokes as well so there is a lovely balance of textures and flavors. I definitely will add this salad to my go-to list.
yes!!! this makes me so happy! Artichokes are SO good! Love the addition to this salad!
This is hands down one of the best salads I have ever made!
I used farro instead of orzo and it complimented it perfectly!
Perfect salad for weekly meal prep, or to make a big batch and bring to a gathering!
YESSS NATASHA! this makes me so happy!
This will be my bring to every invitation salat this year… wow just did it and I am eating it out of the bowl. The mint and the lemon make a great combination and make it super fresh.
I love this so much! Thank you Maria!!
you are so welcome hun!
SO yummy, fast + easy to make, and super filling too 🥰
Will definitely make again!
yesss babes! this makes me so happy!
I’m calling this my fav salad of the Spring ans Summer season! So fresh and easy to make and sooo delicious!
thank you so much for the love hun!!! I am so glad you loved this!
Amazing! Adding this as another regular menu item at home – Maria keep it coming your recipes are killer! We added kalamata olives (had some in the fridge) and they were a good addition but definitely not needed, this salad is so flavourful and satisfying!
thank you so much for the love baby girl!!!