Savor the tropical flavors of the Hawaiian Islands with this authentic Hawaiian macaroni salad recipe. With tender macaroni and a tangy dressing, this dish is the perfect side dish for summer.
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When I vacationed in Maui, the most fabulous little restaurant served fresh fish for dinner with a scoop of traditional Hawaiian macaroni salad. I called it my Hawaiian plate lunch.
Serve it with grilled smash burgers and Trager smoked corn on the cob for a quick and easy meal!
Why You'll Love It
- Creamy and Flavorful: The creamy dressing is so yummy.
- Simple Recipe: This Hawaiian-style macaroni salad uses just a handful of ingredients and is easy to make.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Serve it at a potluck, BBQ, or any family meal.
- Can be made ahead: This creamy salad can be made up to the day before, which makes it great for meal prep or busy weeknights.
Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad Ingredients
*A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.*
- Elbow Macaroni, cooked al dente.
- Mayonnaise: Best Foods mayo or your preferred brand of mayo.
- Whole Milk to make the dressing creamy.
- Apple Cider Vinegar adds a tangy flavor to the dressing.
- Sugar: Just a bit for sweetness.
- Celery Ribs: Finely chopped for crunch.
- Green Onions, finely chopped.
- Red Onion: Optional, but adds great flavor.
How to Make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
For step-by-step instructions with detailed measurements, jump to the recipe card.
- Cook the Macaroni: In a large pot of salted water, cook the macaroni noodles until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, whole milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, celery, green onions, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill: Transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
- Serve: Stir the salad before serving to redistribute the dressing. Serve chilled and enjoy with your favorite Hawaiian dishes, such as huli huli chicken, kalua pork, or teriyaki chicken.
Top Tips
- Al Dente Pasta: Ensure the macaroni is cooked al dente to avoid a mushy texture.
- Cold Water Rinse: Rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it quickly.
- Generous Dressing: Don’t skimp on the dressing – it’s what gives this salad its creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- Chill Before Serving: This salad tastes best when served cold, so make sure to chill it for at least an hour.
- Make Ahead: Prepare this salad a day in advance for even better flavor.
Variations
- Sprinkle finely chopped green onions for extra color.
- Add a dusting of paprika for garnish.
- Garnish with slices of hard-boiled eggs.
- Add crumbled bacon bits.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
This salad will keep for up to 3 days.
Yes, by using vegan mayonnaise and non-dairy milk.
Yes, by using gluten-free pasta.
No, freezing is not recommended as it may affect the texture of the pasta.
What to Serve with Authentic Hawaiian Mac Salad
I love to serve this creamy side dish with Smoked Huli Huli Chicken, Smoked Pineapple, Smoked Steak, or Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, along with a couple of scoops of White Rice (Instant Pot) for a Hawaiian-style meal.
It's also delicious served with Air Fryer Chicken Katsu, Kalua Pork, Smoked Shrimp, Instant Pot Ribs, and Smoked Burgers.
More Delicious Side Dishes
Did you make this Hawaiian macaroni salad recipe? If you did, can you do me a big favor and leave a rating and review letting me know how you liked it? This helps my website grow so I can continue to publish free recipes. Thank you! 😊
Recipe
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
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. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- Al Dente Pasta: Ensure the macaroni is cooked al dente to avoid a mushy texture.
- Cold Water Rinse: Rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it quickly and prevent further cooking.
- Generous Dressing: Don’t skimp on the dressing – it’s what gives this salad its creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- Chill Before Serving: This salad tastes best when served cold, so make sure to chill it for at least an hour.
- Make Ahead: Prepare this salad a day in advance for even better flavor.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Check out 60+ Best 4th Of July Salads for more salad recipes!
**This post was originally published in May 2023. It has been recently updated with more information and helpful tips, but the recipe remains the same.
Amy Liu Dong says
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