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30 Minutes or Less

Jennifer Aniston Salad

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close-up image of jennifer aniston salad in a serving bowl

The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad with pistachios and dressing on the side.

Jennifer Aniston recently described her perfect salad as, “bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios.” And OMG the internet went CRAZY for it! Recipes similar to the salad the Friends actress described quickly popped up all over TikTok. The Jennifer Aniston salad went viral. So, as a foodie and fellow salad-lover, I had to give it a try for myself.

My version of the salad contains everything Jennifer described – bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios – my only addition is a simple lemon, olive oil, salt, and black pepper dressing. Since Jen didn’t offer up a dressing herself, this is what I envisioned a salad like this being tossed in. And let me tell you, it TOTALLY lived up to the hype!

Dressing being poured over the Jennifer Aniston salad.

What You’ll Need to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad

Bulgur Wheat or Quinoa – In keeping this super authentic to Jen’s recipe, I used bulgur wheat in my salad. However, bulgur wheat can be hard to come by, so I also offer up the option to use quinoa instead. Both are hearty, protein-rich, super nutritious grains. Never had bulgur wheat? It’s most similar to farro or barley, but smaller grain. Bulgur wheat has a nice nutty flavor, and will keep you full without feeling weighed down.

Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas – What’s the difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas? Literally nothing! They’re two names for the exact same thing. Jennifer Aniston called them “garbanzo beans,” but I call them “chickpeas,” so that’s what we’re sticking with. Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, especially in this salad recipe!

Feta Cheese – Greek brined white cheese, made from sheep’s milk. Feta adds the perfect salty bite to this salad! And because it’s made with sheep’s milk, it has a lower lactose content. Meaning, those whoe are lactose intolerant (aka ME!), may have an easier time tolerating feta cheese. I, personally, can enjoy it in small amounts without any issue. However, if you can’t tolerate feta, or simply need a dairy-free option, check out my “make it vegan” section below!

Parsley and Mint – Don’t skimp on the fresh herbs! Fresh parsley and mint are my favorite parts of this salad. They add a super fresh and vibrant component to this recipe. Therefore, don’t leave ’em out!

close-up overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Yes, bulgur wheat contains gluten. Therefore, opt for quinoa instead of bulgur wheat to make this Jennifer Aniston salad entirely gluten-free.

Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For a vegan/dairy-free salad, either leave out the feta cheese, or replace it with your favorite vegan feta. I love the Violife Vegan Feta, it tastes and crumbles just like the real thing!

close-up image of jennifer aniston salad in a serving bowl
4.38 from 24 votes

Jennifer Aniston Salad

The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the bulgur wheat/quinoa:

  • 1 cup bulgur wheat or quinoa, dry
  • 2 cups water or vegetable broth

For the salad dressing:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the salad:

  • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup English cucumber, chopped
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

Instructions

  • Add either bulgur wheat or quinoa to a small saucepan, along with water or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 12-15 minutes. Once bulgur wheat or quinoa has absorbed all liquid, remove from heat and let stand covered for an additional 5 minutes. Then, remove lid and fluff with a fork.
  • While the bulgur wheat or quinoa cooks, make the salad dressing by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.
  • Add cooked bulgur wheat or quinoa to a large bowl, along with the remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss, then either serve immediately or let chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

Notes

  • Leaving the salad to chill for a few hours before eating will increase the flavor!
  • Leftover salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. No need to store the dressing separately.

    • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
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    30 Minutes or Less

    Spinach Artichoke Hummus

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    close-up image of spinach artichoke hummus with artichoke hearts on top.

    The BEST of both worlds! Super easy and ultra delicious spinach artichoke hummus. One of my all-time favorite healthy snacks or appetizers!

    overhead image of spinach artichoke hummus with pita, cucumber, and white wine on the side.

    What You’ll Need to Make Spinach Artichoke Hummus

    Chickpeas – I used canned chickpeas, but feel free to soak and boil your own for this recipe. However, canned chickpeas makes things extra easy on you (which I highly recommend!).

    Tahini – Every good hummus recipe has tahini! Never heard of tahini? It’s just ground sesame seeds. It’s also super easy to find at most grocery stores, typically located in the ethnic food aisle. This is the tahini brand I use and love in this spinach artichoke hummus!

    Baby Spinach – Use fresh, not frozen spinach in this healthy snack recipe! Lucky for us, fresh spinach is loaded with good-for-you vitamins and minerals.

    Canned Artichoke Hearts – Either whole or quartered canned artichoke hearts will work. I used these Cento artichoke hearts, and they were delicious. Also, if you have any leftover artichoke hearts, they make a great addition to salads and charcuterie boards!

    pita being dipped into spinach artichoke hummus.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Once you add the spinach and artichokes, pulse the hummus only a few times. Too much pulsing will completely puree the spinach and artichokes. Instead, to achieve that finely chopped texture you get in a spinach artichoke dip, give your food processor just a few quick pulses.
    • Taste the hummus after the first step! This is the best time to adjust/add any seasonings you’d like. For an extra tangy hummus, add in a bit more lemon juice. Or, for a super garlicky hummus, add in another clove or two of garlic.
    • This spinach artichoke hummus dip will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Enjoy it all week long with pita, pita chips, fresh veggies, or simply by the spoonful!
    overhead image of spinach artichoke hummus with pita on the side.

    This Recipe Is…

    close-up image of spinach artichoke hummus with artichoke hearts on top.
    5 from 2 votes

    Spinach Artichoke Hummus

    The BEST of both worlds! Super easy and ultra delicious spinach artichoke hummus. One of my all-time favorite healthy snacks or appetizers!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2 cups

    Ingredients

    • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • 1/4 cup tahini
    • 1/4 cup olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 garlic clove, peeled
    • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
    • salt, to taste
    • 1 cup baby spinach
    • 1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained

    Instructions

    • Add chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt to a food processor. Blend until completely smooth.
    • Add in baby spinach and artichoke heart, pule 5-6 times until spinach and artichokes are finely chopped, then serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
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    30 Minutes or Less

    Super EASY Grinch Fruit Kabobs

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    grinch fruit kabobs in a glass, standing upright.

    The easiest holiday treat of all time – Grinch fruit kabobs! Slide fruit onto skewers and you’ve got yourself a festive snack or dessert. Get the kids involved in this fun Christmas activity!

    grinch fruit kabobs on a plate with green grapes, strawberries, mini marshmallows, and skewers on the side.

    What You’ll Need to Make Grinch Fruit Kabobs

    Green Grapes – Green, not red grapes for this Grinch-themed treat!

    Banana – Slice your banana into 1/2-inch pieces before sliding onto your skewers.

    Strawberries – Hull your strawberries before using in this recipe! That basically just means remove the green leaves on top.

    Mini Marshmallows – The perfect little Santa hat topping!

    hand holding a grinch fruit kabob

    How to Store Them

    • Store these Grinch fruit kabobs in an airtight container in the fridge for one day. They may last longer than a day, but the banana will begin to oxidize and turn brown – not ideal! For best results, I recommend making them right before serving.
    close-up image of grinch fruit kabobs on a plate

    These Grinch Fruit Kabobs Are…

    grinch fruit kabobs in a glass, standing upright
    5 from 1 vote

    Grinch Fruit Kabobs

    The easiest holiday treat of all time – Grinch fruit kabobs! Slide fruit onto skewers and you’ve got yourself a festive snack or dessert. Get the kids involved in this fun holiday activity!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings

    Ingredients

    • Green grapes
    • Banana, sliced
    • Fresh strawberries, hulled
    • Mini marshmallows
    • Mini skewers or toothpicks

    Instructions

    • Slide a grape onto a skewer, about 2-inches down from the top of the skewer.
    • Then, slide a banana slice on top of the grape, followed by a strawberry, followed by a mini marshmallow.
    • Continue this process with remaining ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
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    Desserts

    Sugared Cranberries (with a hint of orange!)

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    close up image of sugared cranberries

    Super simple sugared cranberries with a hint (just a hint!) of orange! Perfectly tart, yet sweet, and totally addictive. These sugared cranberries are a great cocktail garnish, cake/pie topping, or delicious on their own!

    sugared cranberries in a small bowl.

    What You’ll Need to Make Sugared Cranberries

    Sugar – Sugar’s needed for both the simple syrup and the sugar coating. I used organic cane sugar for my sugared cranberries, but regular white sugar works great too!

    Cranberries – Whole fresh, not frozen, cranberries! We’ll start by coating them in a 3-ingredient simple syrup, then rolling in sugar and orange zest. Fresh cranberries are extremely tart, so the sugar in this recipe works wonders to help balance that out. The end result is a perfectly tart, yet sweet dessert or snack!

    Orange Juice & Zest – While you can totally make this recipe without any orange, I highly recommend adding it. A hint of citrus is the perfect compliment to fresh cranberries. Orange juice and zest brighten up this entire recipe, and make it EXTRA special!

    sugared cranberries on a plate with a spoon

    Tips and Tricks

    • If the sugar doesn’t seem to be sticking to your cranberries, give them an extra 30 minutes to dry out. The drying time of your cranberries all depends on the climate in your kitchen. Therefore, make adjustments as you see necessary.
    • This is the perfect holiday recipe! I love making a double batch of these sugared cranberries for friends and family. I divide them up into small cellophane bags, complete with a ribbon, and they’re the perfect little holiday treat hand-out!
    sugared cranberries in a small bowl

    This Recipe Is…

    close up image of sugared cranberries
    4.72 from 7 votes

    Sugared Cranberries (with a hint of orange!)

    Super simple sugared cranberries with a hint (just a hint!) of orange! Perfectly tart, yet sweet, and totally addictive. These sugared cranberries are a great cocktail garnish, cake/pie topping, or delicious on their own!
    Print Pin Rate
    Cook Time: 3 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
    Servings: 3 cups

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, optional
    • 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
    • 3 cups fresh cranberries
    • 3 tablespoons orange zest

    Instructions

    • Combine water, orange juice, and ½ cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for 3 minutes stirring frequently.
    • Remove from heat, then add in the fresh cranberries. Stir to coat cranberries in sugar syrup, then use a slotted spoon to drain and transfer cranberries to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread into an even layer and let dry for 1 hour.
    • Mix together remaining sugar and orange zest in a large bowl, then add dried cranberries about a cup at a time to bowl. Toss cranberries in sugar until all are evenly coated, then repeat with remaining batches until all cranberries are coated in sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
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    30 Minutes or Less

    Maple Candied Pecans

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    maple candied pecans tipped out of a jar

    Just 3 ingredients to make these maple candied pecans! Perfectly sweet, crunchy, and totally delicious. Cooked on the stovetop in under 20 minutes!

    maple candied pecans in a jar

    What You’ll Need to Make Maple Candied Pecans

    Pecans – Start with raw and unsalted pecans for this recipe. The cooking and flavoring of the pecans happens throughout this recipe, so it’s best to start with a blank canvas! Also, be sure to use whole pecan halves, not pecan pieces.

    Maple Syrup – Just half a cup of maple syrup to sweeten these maple candied pecans! I love this unrefined sugar alternative, it’s healthier and tastes just as good. As the pecans cook, the maple syrup will begin to crystalize and coat the pecans, just like sugar would.

    Salt – A pinch of salt to help round out those flavors! Salt seems like a counteractive addition to this recipe, but trust me, it brings it all together. And believe it or not, salt actually brings out the sweetness in this candy recipe!

    maple candied pecans on a baking sheet

    Tips and Tricks

    • Avoid cooking these maple candied pecans at a high temperature. High heat will quickly cause the maple syrup to burn, which could ruin your recipe. Therefore, maintain a simmer, and continue stirring the pecans every few minutes to avoid burning.
    • Have fun with this recipe! Throw in a pinch of cinnamon, or a dash of vanilla extract while the pecans cook. Or, for an extra festive addition, serve them with a handful of festive candies or sprinkles!
    • Maple candied pecans are best stored at room temperature, in an airtight container for up to one week. You can even store them in the fridge for up to one month, or the freezer for up to three months!
    overhead image of maple candied pecans on a baking sheet.

    This Recipe Is…

    maple candied pecans tipped out of a jar
    5 from 1 vote

    Maple Candied Pecans

    Print Pin Rate
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 2 cups

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups raw pecan halves
    • 1/2 cup maple syrup
    • Small pinch of salt

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a large pan over medium heat. Stir and bring the maple syrup to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low.
    • Continue cooking on low for 20 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. After 20 minutes, the maple syrup should begin to crystalize and look like sugar coating the pecans.
    • Once syrup has crystalized, pour the pecans onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread pecans into an even layer, then let cool completely before eating or storing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
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