Description
Discover how to make Jennifer Aniston’s favorite salad with this easy recipe! Try it today for a light and healthy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup bulgur wheat, uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 English cucumber, diced (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup fresh mint, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup pistachios, roughly chopped
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (omit for vegan version)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the bulgur wheat In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of bulgur wheat, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly. This gives you the perfect foundation for your Jennifer Aniston Salad.
- Step 2: Prepare the dressing While the bulgur cooks, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. If using, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup for a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of the lemon. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed—the dressing should be bright and flavorful, as it will distribute throughout the entire salad.
- Step 3: Chop your fresh ingredients Dice the cucumber into small, uniform pieces (about ¼-inch). Finely dice the red onion—you want it small enough to distribute well throughout the salad without overwhelming any single bite. Roughly chop the fresh herbs, keeping them relatively coarse to maintain their vibrant color and flavor. The varied textures are what make the Jennifer Aniston Salad so satisfying.
- Step 4: Combine and marinate Add the chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and mint to the slightly cooled bulgur. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss gently to combine. Allow the salad to sit for at least 15 minutes (or up to an hour) at room temperature to let the flavors meld together. This resting period is crucial for developing the characteristic flavor profile of the Jennifer Aniston Salad.
- Step 5: Finish and serve Just before serving, fold in the chopped pistachios and crumbled feta cheese, reserving a small amount of each for garnish. Toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Transfer to a serving bowl or individual plates and top with the reserved pistachios and feta for a beautiful presentation that showcases the vibrant colors of the Jennifer Aniston Salad.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg