This famous Jennifer Aniston salad is my vegan version, with a few additional tweaks to make it even healthier than the original. Give this vegan Jennifer Aniston salad recipe a try to jump-start the week!
My friend Kristy invited me for a girls' trip to her beautiful home in Fort Lauderdale By The Sea on the intercostal across from the beach. We've been friends forever, and she is the hostess with the mostest! Of course, she knows I'm vegan, and she bought all the ingredients for the famous Jennifer Aniston salad recipe, and separated it, so I could make my own modified vegan version. Let's just say I'm hooked! This is my new favorite salad.
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What is Jennifer Aniston's Salad?
Although I am a huge Friends fan, I never remember Jennifer Aniston's character, Rachel, raving about this salad. Rachel didn't eat this salad at all. However, the actress Jennifer Aniston always eats this salad, thus coining it the famous Jennifer Aniston salad recipe. But, if you listen to Aniston explain its origin, it has changed drastically from when she ordered it on the set of Friends for lunch.
Vegan Jennifer Aniston Salad Ingredients
Since the original salad contains meat, cheese, and other non-vegan ingredients, I tweaked the recipe and loved it!
- Cooked Quinoa: I chose red quinoa, cooked it, and allowed it to cook completely before adding it to the salad.
- Cucumber: I prefer English cucumbers, and I remove the seeds to lesson the amount of water and moisture in the salad.
- Kale: I chose kale for added nutritional value. I chop in finely to make chewing and digesting easier.
- Pistachios: The pistachios add texture and a crunchy, salty ingredient to the Jennifer Aniston salad.
- Tofu Feta: I make my own tofu feta cheese, adding protein and another flavor level.
- Avocados: The avocado adds a creaminess, but I suggest adding it right before serving to avoid it turning brown.
- Parsley: Parsley adds freshness and enhances the flavors in the salad.
- Mint: Fresh mint adds freshness.
- Red Onion: Red onion is sharp yet perfect for this salad with selected ingredients.
- Chickpeas: Chickpeas add texture, protein, and another level of healthy goodness.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Red Wine vinegar is light and flavorful.
- Maple Juice: When the maple syrup, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice combine, it creates a delicious, clean dressing for the salad.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: I prefer fresh lemon juice whenever possible.
Jennifer Aniston Salad Ingredient Substitutions
- Choose any color quinoa or another grain, such as barley or bulgar, as a substitution.
- Persian cucumbers are similar to English cucumbers. Or, I love baby cucumbers sliced in this salad as well.
- If not using kale, try a hearty green such as collard greens, or cabbage.
- Add your favorite nuts instead of pistachios.
- Cut the amount in half when using dry herbs instead of fresh herbs because dry herbs are more potent than fresh.
- Vegan feta cheese is available in many stores such as Follow Your Heart or Violife brands, or skip it.
- Often, artichokes are used in place of avocados.
- Try green onions instead of red onions for a less onion presence.
- White beans are an excellent substitute for chickpeas.
- Balsamic vinegar is a substitute for red wine vinegar.
- Agave nectar or date syrup replaces maple syrup in recipes.
- Use bottled lemon juice when fresh juice isn't available.
How to Make Vegan Jennifer Aniston Salad
- Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions.
- Allow to cool completely before adding to the salad.
- Spread the cooked quinoa onto a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator to expedite this.
- In a small measure cup, whisk the red wine vinegar, maple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Set aside.
- Remove the stems from the kale, and using a sharp knife, finely chop the kale.
- Add the chopped kale to the base of a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients, including the cool quinoa, except for the avocado and pistachios.
- I add the avocado and pistachios to each salad before serving so the avocado doesn't turn brown, and the nuts stay crunchy.
- This salad lasts all week in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
- We ate this salad all week for lunch, and it packs well for lunch or a trip to the beach.
- Instead of tofu feta cheese, try adding marinated grilled tofu for dinner.
- Or, for another protein option, add grilled tempeh or tempeh bacon.
- Another one of my favorite ways to enjoy this salad is topped with vegan bacon bits.
Recipe FAQs
The salad Jen ate on Friends was a Cobb Salad, while this salad is a riff on a tabbouleh. She shared it years ago on Instagram with the caption “My perfect salad” and was nice enough to list the ingredients inside her bowl. Celebrities — they're just like us!
Add your rinsed and drained chickpeas — the recipe calls for 2 cups, but I used one can, which is slightly less — and top with a simple dressing of fresh lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together, and there you have it: Jennifer Aniston's favorite salad. My version is oil-free.
Yes, this salad recipe is easy to meal prep and serves 4 generously, but I squeezed out leftovers for two lunches, too. If you are planning to make this for the week, do not add the cucumber or the pistachios until you are ready to eat it.
Tips
- Cook the quinoa first, so it has time to cool before adding it to the salad.
- To cool quinoa quickly, spread it on a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
- Do not add the avocado or pistachios until serving.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Try this vegan Jennifer Aniston salad recipe to start the New Year healthy!
More Vegan Salads to Enjoy!
If you love this vegan Jennifer Aniston salad recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Jennifer Aniston Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 cup English cucumber seeds removed, diced
- 4 cups Kale chopped finely
- ½ cup Red Onion diced
- ½ cup Parsley chopped
- ½ cup Mint chopped
- ½ cup Pistachios chopped
- 2 avocados diced
- 1 15 ounce can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- ½ cup tofu feta cheese
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 lemons juiced
Instructions
Quinoa
- Cook quinoa according to the package instructions.
- Allow to cool completely before adding to the salad.
- Spread cooked quinoa on a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator to expedite this cooling process.
Dressing
- Whisk together red wine vinegar, maple syrup and lemon juice.
- Set aside.
Salad
- Remove the stems from the kale, and chop finely.
- Add the chopped kale to a large bowl.
- Add the red onion, parsley, mint, tofu feta cheese, chickpeas, and cooled quinoa.
- Do not add the avocado or nuts until serving to preserve freshness.
- Pour dressing into the salad ingredients.
- Toss to coat.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Cook the quinoa first, so it has time to cool before adding it to the salad.
- To cool quinoa quickly, spread it on a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
- Do not add the avocado or pistachios until serving.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Tara
This is a recipe that makes salad for dinner an exciting prospect! I used Violife feta cheese. This was sooooo yummy! This will be a staple recipe for me. Bravo!
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Tara, it is on our rotation list too. I make a big batch and eat it for lunch all week. Thank you for taking the time to rate the recipe. I appreciate it.
MARYANN MATTEO
thank you for all of your wonderful recipes!
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Maryann, I'm so happy you are enjoying the recipes! Happy New Year!
Alie
The recipe/salad is great but you have the nutritional information (calories, carbs, and fat) calculated incorrectly for four servings.
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Alie, it's been fixed. It was an error.