Description
I created a gluten-free version of the viral Jennifer Aniston salad recipe, and it's so good I can't stop making it! This flavorful vegan salad is made with quinoa, cucumber, red onion, pistachios, chickpeas, vegan feta and a super simple lemon dressing. It's the Ross and Rachel of salads...the perfect match!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
The Salad
- 3 cups cooked quinoa (from 1 cup of uncooked quinoa) [Stovetop Method or Instant Pot Method]
- 1 English cucumber, diced (~ 2 cups when finely diced)
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, stems removed, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, stems removed, finely diced
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas (or 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup roasted and salted pistachios (shelled), roughly chopped
- 1/2 large red onion, finely diced (1/2 cup diced)
- 1/2 cup vegan feta cheese, crumbled (I like VioLife or Trader Joe's brand best)
The Lemon Garlic Dressing
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large juicy lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 large garlic clove, pressed through a garlic press
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa (if not prepared in advance). Use either the stovetop or Instant Pot method. One cup of uncooked quinoa makes about 3 cups of cooked quinoa. Allow the quinoa to cool to room temperature before assembling the salad.
- Assemble the salad. Place the quinoa in a large bowl. Add the diced cucumber, finely diced parsley and mint, chickpeas, pistachios, diced red onion and crumbled vegan feta cheese.
- Prepare the dressing. Whisk together the lemon garlic dressing ingredients or place them in a small jar and shake well to combine.
- Toss the salad with dressing. Pour the dressing overtop the salad and toss everything well so that all ingredients and the dressing are distributed evenly.
- Serve! Enjoy chilled or at room temperature. This recipe makes about 4 large portions.
Notes
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container and enjoy within 4 days. After that look for normal signs of spoilage.
This is a great salad to store in a Mason jar if you're taking it on the go or meal prepping. Just wait to add the dressing until you're ready to eat!
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Lunch