Indulge in the tropical flavors of Hawaii with this classic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad! Tender macaroni is combined with a sweet and creamy homemade dressing, creating a dish that will transport your taste buds to the islands. Don't let its simplicity fool you - this side dish is flavorful and will be a hit at your next potluck or BBQ!
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I'm excited to share one of my all-time favorite salad recipes - Hawaiian macaroni salad!
This classic side dish originated in the Hawaiian Islands and is often served as a side when you order from food trucks.
When I stayed in Maui, the most fabulous little restaurant served fresh fish for dinner with a scoop of this salad. I called it my Hawaiian plate lunch.
I ate there almost daily and never tired of this creamy macaroni salad. It is now a famous side salad in the United States for summer cookouts. It is a simple yet delicious salad that is the perfect side dish for any occasion, from backyard barbecues to family dinners.
This creamy salad is easy to make and uses simple ingredients readily available in most grocery stores. So whether you're a fan of Hawaiian cuisine or simply looking for a delicious and easy-to-make salad, Hawaiian macaroni salad is the perfect choice.
Serve it with Grilled Smash Burgers and Smoked Corn on the Cob for a quick and easy meal!
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❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Creamy: The creamy dressing makes this salad rich and satisfying.
- Flavorful: Adding vinegar and sugar to the dressing gives the salad a sweet and tangy flavor that everyone will love.
- Easy recipe: This authentic Hawaiian macaroni salad is easy to make, with simple ingredients available in most grocery stores.
- Perfect for potlucks: This Hawaiian-style macaroni salad is great for potlucks and BBQs, and it's a real crowd-pleaser.
- Kid-friendly: Children love this salad's creamy, mild flavor, making it an excellent option for family meals.
- Comfort food: Hawaiian macaroni salad is a comfort food that reminds many people of childhood memories and family gatherings.
- Can be made ahead: This easy salad can be made up to the day before, which makes it great for meal prep or busy weeknights.
- Budget-friendly: This simple recipe is very budget-friendly, as it uses pantry ingredients that are easy to find.
🧅 Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
Just a handful of ingredients are needed to make this creamy side dish.
- Elbow macaroni: This type of pasta is commonly used in macaroni salad recipes. If you don't have elbow macaroni, you could use any other small pasta shape, such as shells or fusilli.
- Mayonnaise: This is a key ingredient in the dressing for the salad. You can use any brand of mayonnaise, such as Best Foods or Hellmann's, and even Miracle Whip. You could use Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a combination if you don't have mayo.
- Whole milk: This is used to thin out the dressing and make it creamier. If you don't have whole milk, use 2% or skim milk or even half-and-half or heavy cream for a richer dressing.
- Apple cider vinegar: This gives the dressing a tangy flavor. If you don't have apple cider vinegar, use white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or lemon juice.
- Sugar: I used white sugar to add a touch of sweetness. You could use brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar instead.
- Salt: This is used to season the salad. If you're watching your sodium intake, you could use a low-sodium salt alternative or omit the salt altogether.
- Celery: This adds crunch and freshness to the salad. If you don't have celery, use chopped bell peppers or cucumbers instead.
- Red onion: This adds a bit of bite and color to the salad. Use chopped green onions instead if you don't have red onion.
🥣 How To Make Traditional Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Cook the macaroni pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water until it is cool.
Tip: Let the pasta sit in a colander and drain to get rid of any excess water.
In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until it is smooth and creamy.
Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the mayo mixture. Add the chopped celery and red onion to the bowl with the macaroni.
Use a large spoon or spatula to gently combine all the ingredients. Stir until the pasta is well coated with dressing and the vegetables are evenly distributed.
If desired, transfer the ingredients to a serving bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and put it in the fridge for at least 1 hour to chill.
Before serving, stir the macaroni salad again to evenly distribute the dressing.
Serve the Hawaiian macaroni salad chilled as a side dish with your favorite main course.
Enjoy!
🥓 Optional Toppings
- Finely chopped green onions: Sprinkle some fresh green onions on top of the salad for a pop of color.
- Paprika: Dusting the salad with a sprinkle of paprika can add extra color and a touch of spice.
- Hard-boiled eggs: Slice or chop hard-boiled eggs and place them on top of the salad. They add a creamy texture to the salad.
- Bacon bits: Crumbled or diced crispy bacon make a great addition to the salad.
- Chopped fresh herbs: Adding freshly chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill can add color and flavor.
💭 Expert Tips
- Cook the macaroni until it is al dente: Make sure to cook the macaroni until it is al dente, which means it is cooked but still firm to the bite. Overcooking the pasta can result in a mushy salad.
- Rinse the pasta under cold water: After cooking the pasta, rinse it under cold water until it is cool. This stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from becoming too soft.
- Use whole milk for a creamier dressing: Using whole milk instead of lower-fat milk will result in a creamier dressing.
- Chill the salad before serving: This salad tastes best when it is cold, so make sure to chill it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste: Taste the salad before serving and add more salt, pepper, or sugar.
- Finely chop the vegetables: Make sure to chop the celery and red onion into small, bite-sized pieces so they are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Don't skimp on the dressing: The dressing gives this salad a creamy texture and tangy flavor, so make sure to coat the pasta generously.
- Use a large mixing bowl: This recipe makes a lot of salad, so make sure to use a large mixing bowl so you have enough room to mix everything together.
- Let the salad sit for a while before serving: Allowing the salad to sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight will allow the flavors to meld together and make the salad taste even better. I think it tastes even better the next day!
- Experiment with different vegetables: While celery and red onion are traditional in Hawaiian macaroni salad, you can experiment with other vegetables, such as bell peppers, cucumbers, or shredded carrots.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to serve it.
This salad will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Yes, you can make this salad vegan by using a vegan mayonnaise and non-dairy milk, such as almond milk
Yes, you can make this salad gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
I do not recommend you freeze Hawaiian macaroni salad, as the texture and flavor will be affected when thawed.
🍔 What To Serve With Authentic Hawaiian Mac Salad
I like to serve this salad with a main dish of Smoked Steak or Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, along with a couple scoops of White Rice (Instant Pot).
It's also delicious served with Kalua Pork, Smoked Shrimp, Instant Pot Ribs, and Smoked Burgers.
👩🏻🍳 More Delicious Side Dishes
If you like this post on this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and leave a comment below with your thoughts!
📋 Recipe
Best Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup celery finely diced
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water until it is cool.
- In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until it is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked, cooled pasta to the bowl with the mayo mixture. Add the chopped celery and red onion to the bowl with the macaroni.
- Use a large spoon or spatula to combine all the ingredients. Stir until the pasta is well coated with dressing and the vegetables are evenly distributed.
- If desired, transfer the ingredients to a serving bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and put it in the fridge for at least 1 hour to chill.
- Before serving, stir the macaroni salad again to distribute the dressing evenly.
- Serve the Hawaiian macaroni salad chilled as a side dish with your favorite main course.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Cook the macaroni until it is al dente: Make sure to cook the macaroni until it is al dente, which means it is cooked but still firm to the bite. Overcooking the pasta can result in a mushy salad.
- Rinse the pasta under cold water: After cooking the pasta, rinse it under cold water until it is cool. This stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from becoming too soft.
- Use whole milk for a creamier dressing: Using whole milk instead of lower-fat milk will result in a creamier dressing.
- Chill the salad before serving: This salad tastes best when it is cold, so make sure to chill it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste: Taste the salad before serving and add more salt, pepper, or sugar.
- Finely chop the vegetables: Make sure to chop the celery and red onion into small, bite-sized pieces so they are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Don't skimp on the dressing: The dressing gives this salad a creamy texture and tangy flavor, so make sure to coat the pasta generously.
- Use a large mixing bowl: This recipe makes a lot of salad, so make sure to use a large mixing bowl so you have enough room to mix everything together.
- Let the salad sit for a while before serving: Allowing the salad to sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight will allow the flavors to meld together and make the salad taste even better. I think it tastes even better the next day!
- Experiment with different vegetables: While celery and red onion are traditional in Hawaiian macaroni salad, you can experiment with other vegetables, such as bell peppers, cucumbers, or shredded carrots.
Nutrition
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