Julia Roberts’ Favorite Easy Dinner Starts with Just 3 Simple Staples—So I Tried It

Published on December 28, 2025

She might be best known for her starring roles in films like Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, and Erin Brokovich. But if we were forced to select one of Julia Roberts’ movie titles that best encapsulates her home life, it might just be Eat, Pray, Love. The mom of three has been married to cinematographer Daniel Moder since 2002, and isn’t shy about sharing her opinion that all foods can be part of a balanced diet.

When Roberts was crowned PEOPLE’s Most Beautiful Woman in 2017, the actor dished that she mainly relies on protein-rich, healthy meals to keep her energy levels strong throughout long days of filming. However, she certainly doesn’t steer clear of carbs: “Why is everybody scared of pasta? Pasta never did anything to you,” she told our sister magazine PEOPLE in 2017. “Don’t be mean to pasta,” she urges her fans, before revealing that she alternates between a salad with grilled chicken and pasta for lunch. 

As for breakfast, it’s avocado toast with an over-easy egg plus blueberries. And for dessert? A chocolate chip cookie. “I love a good cookie,” Roberts admits, proving, once again, that celebrities are just like us.

When it’s time for dinner, Roberts whips up her favorite three-ingredient combo that we’ll now be recreating again and again.

What We Love About Julia Robert's 3-Ingredient Dinner

During Roberts’ day-in-the-life diary, she explains that her usual dinner is wild salmon with avocado and brown rice—paired with a glass of wine. Now that is a dietitian- and diner-approved combo! Besides the fact that carbs are still on the menu, here’s what we love about the star’s standout supper:

• The nutrition. With energy-boosting carbs from the rice, gut-friendly fiber from the avocado, satisfying protein from the salmon, and heart-healthy omega-3 fats from both the seafood and avocado, this is a superfood-filled feast. Research suggests that regularly consuming “nature’s butter” (aka avocado) and salmon can be beneficial for long-term brain health.
• The ease. This dinner recipe is a breeze to pull together in a matter of minutes, especially if you turn to microwave brown rice or get a head start by meal prepping a big batch of slow cooker rice.
• The versatility. Roberts’ mealtime template is focused enough to make shopping for components simple, but general enough to be customizable to keep things interesting. And depending on your appetite that day, you can adjust portion sizes to be larger or smaller by simply serving a half scoop of rice instead of a full one, or swapping in one-third of a small avocado instead of a large one. For the fish, of course you can adjust the fillet size. When it comes time to cook it, try the salmon grilled, baked, or seared. (Yes, you can eat the skin!) Or follow the lead of our friends at Allrecipes and broil it or bake it in a parchment paper packet. Can’t find—or don’t dig—salmon? Swap in another firm-fleshed sustainable fish like pollack, hake, halibut, mahi-mahi, barramundi, cod, or Arctic char.

The Best Ways to Make Julia Robert's Favorite Easy Dinner Your Own

Once you feel comfortable with this fast and filling template, consider taking this celeb-approved line-up on a trip around the globe by playing with the garnishes, sauces, and bonus ingredients. We can’t wait to try Roberts’ 3-ingredient recipe in the style of…

• Indonesia: Peanut sauce + pickled carrots + chopped peanuts
• The Caribbean: Mango salsa + jerk seasoning (on the salmon)
• Japan: Teriyaki sauce + edamame + pickled cucumbers + sesame seeds
• Italy: Fresh tomatoes + roasted broccolini
• China: Chili crisp + fresh or sautéed snap peas
• Greece: Tzatziki + diced cucumbers + crumbled feta cheese
• Mexico: Salsa + guacamole (instead of plain avocado) + sliced pickled jalapeño
• Breakfast for dinner: Crumbled bacon + a jammy egg

Once you’ve dished up your dinner in a plate or bowl, all that’s left to do is raise a glass to your red carpet-worthy meal. Roberts sips on water throughout the day and wine with dinner. If you’d like to follow suit, we recommend Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, or Rosé (which just so happens to be a favorite of another beloved star: Ina!).