If you’ve been on TikTok, you’ve likely seen countless videos raving about the so-called “Jennifer Aniston Salad.” It’s a mix of bulgur wheat, cucumbers, chickpeas, herbs, feta, red onion and pistachios, and it’s gone viral for being supposedly the salad Aniston ate every day for 10 years while filming Friends. There’s just one problem: Jennifer Aniston herself says it’s not true.
“I feel like I’m disappointing everybody, but that’s not my salad,” the actress told Shape. And while Aniston admits the recipe looks “gorgeous” and “delicious,” the truth is a bit different—and, dare we say, even more interesting. We’re sharing how the myth began, what Aniston actually ate on set and how to make her real Cobb-inspired salad that’s fit for a star.
How the Jennifer Aniston salad took over the internet
The legend of Aniston’s salad dates back to 2010, when her Friends co-star Courteney Cox revealed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that she, Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow ate lunch together every day during filming—and always had the same Cobb salad. This classic American salad features chopped greens, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, chicken and other ingredients arranged in neat rows on a plate and dressed with a vinaigrette.
“It wasn’t really a Cobb salad,” Cox said, describing their go-to meal. “It was a Cobb salad that Jennifer doctored up with turkey bacon, garbanzo beans, and I don’t know what else.”
But what about the recipe that went viral? Well, it gained momentum when Aniston took over the Living Proof Instagram account for a day in 2015 and shared a snapshot of her lunch: bulgur wheat, cucumber, herbs, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and pistachios. The post has since been taken out. But social media ran with it, dubbing the dish “Jennifer Aniston’s Salad” and sparking countless recreations. Here’s one with seven million views:
@thesaladlab The Real Jennifer Aniston Style Friends Salad #salad #saladsoftiktok #realfriendssalad #friendsalad #ohboy #smartwater #secondtimesacharm #articlelinkedinbio#screammovie
The truth about the real Jennifer Aniston salad
In June 2022, Aniston set the record straight during an interview with Elle. She explained that while the viral salad looks beautiful, it’s not what she ate on set. In fact, she wouldn’t add that many chickpeas to anything because they’re “not good for the digestive tract.”
So, what did she eat for lunch every day during Friends? Aniston shared her actual recipe in a YouTube video with Allure, and it’s a Cobb salad with her own twist.
The real Jennifer Aniston salad included:
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Chopped tomato
- Chicken
- Salami
- Garbanzo beans (just a few)
- Turkey bacon
- Italian dressing
- Pecorino cheese from a nearby Italian restaurant
“It was…from the commissary that we basically butchered,” she laughed. And according to Cox, it was so good that eating it every day for 10 years never got old.
Which salad should you try?
If you’re team “bulgur wheat,” the TikTok version is a fresh, Mediterranean-inspired take that’s perfect for summer picnics or meal prep. It’s light yet satisfying, with the crunch of pistachios and the tang of feta adding a gourmet touch.
But if you want to taste the dish that fueled a decade of laughter and camaraderie on the Friends set, Aniston’s Cobb salad is a hearty, protein-packed option that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Its mix of savory flavors and creamy Pecorino topping is pure comfort food meets healthy lunch.
How to make the real Jennifer Aniston Salad
Want to recreate the actual salad Jennifer Aniston ate on set? We found an updated version from TikToker @themodernnonna. “Jennifer Aniston came out publicly and said I was wrong and apparently she ate a Cobb salad every day,” she wrote in the video’s caption.
@themodernnonna Jenn Aniston said I was wrong on PEOPLES today lol — Apparently she ate a COBB salas every day www.themodernnonna.com #cobbsalad #salad
Ingredients:
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 grilled chicken breast, chopped
- 2 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 slices salami, chopped
- ¼ cup garbanzo beans
- 2 Tbs. Pecorino cheese, grated
- Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Directions:
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 4 servings
- Wash and shred the iceberg lettuce, then layer it in a large bowl or on a plate.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chicken, turkey bacon, salami and garbanzo beans in neat rows along the plate.
- Drizzle with Italian dressing and toss to coat evenly.
- Finish with a sprinkle of Pecorino cheese on top. Serve immediately.
Whether you prefer the viral version or the real-deal Cobb, there’s no denying that the Jennifer Aniston salad has captured the hearts—and stomachs—of fans. Whip one up for yourself, and who knows—you just might discover a new go-to lunch.
