Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is the creamy, no-frills mac salad you get with a Hawaiian plate lunch, and it’s so easy to make at home. With just a handful of ingredients and a little chill time, you can have an authentic Hawaiian mac salad that tastes just like the real thing.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
What I love most is how simple this recipe really is. Soft pasta, shredded carrots, onion, and a creamy mayo dressing with a touch of sweetness and tang. The secret is adding the apple cider vinegar to the warm noodles so they soak up all that flavor before the dressing goes in. It’s perfect alongside grilled meats, at a BBQ, or anytime you want a classic side dish.
Ingredients & Equipment
- Elbow macaroni noodles
- Apple cider vinegar
- Carrots
- Yellow onion
- Hellman’s mayonnaise
- Milk
- Sugar
- Salt and pepper
Full measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll also need a few things from your kitchen:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Spoons
Step By Step Directions
This recipe makes 8-12 servings. It takes 10 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cook time, plus 1 hour of chill time.
Step 1. Shred the carrots and onion.
Step 2. Boil the pasta for a few minutes longer than the package calls for, until soft.
Step 3. Drain the water, then add the pasta to a large bowl with the apple cider vinegar, carrots and onion. Refrigerate for about an hour until chilled.
Step 4. Mix the mayonnaise, milk, sugar, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl then fold into the pasta.
Step 5. Chill until ready to serve.
Variations
- Add hard boiled eggs: Diced hard boiled eggs are a common addition to Hawaiian mac salad and make it a little more filling.
- Stir in some tuna: A can of drained tuna mixed in is totally authentic and turns this into more of a meal.
- Use rice vinegar instead: Some recipes use seasoned rice vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for a slightly milder tang.
- Add celery for crunch: Finely diced celery gives the salad a little texture contrast against the soft noodles.
- Try it with potatoes: Some Hawaiian mac salad recipes include small cubed potatoes mixed in with the pasta for extra heartiness.
- Top with green onions: A sprinkle of sliced green onions on top adds color and a little freshness right before serving.
Leftovers & Storage
Store leftover Hawaiian macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This mac salad actually gets better the longer it sits because the soft noodles keep absorbing the dressing. If it looks thick or dry the next day, stir in a little milk and mayo to loosen it back up.
Tips & Tricks
- Overcook the pasta on purpose. This is the one recipe where you actually want soft, slightly overcooked noodles. They absorb more flavor and give you that authentic Hawaiian mac salad texture.
- Add the vinegar while the pasta is still warm. The warm noodles soak up the apple cider vinegar, which is what gives this recipe its signature tangy flavor.
- Use Hellman’s (or Best Foods) mayo. This is the traditional choice for Hawaiian macaroni salad and it really does make a difference in flavor. Other brands will work, but Hellman’s is the classic.
- Shred the carrots and onion, don’t dice them. Shredding them creates a finer texture that blends into the salad instead of standing out in big chunky pieces.
- Chill the pasta and veggies before adding the dressing. Adding the mayo dressing to warm pasta will make it too thin and soupy. Let everything cool down first.
- Don’t be shy with the mayo. Hawaiian mac salad is meant to be creamy and rich. The milk helps thin the dressing out so it coats everything evenly.
Recipe FAQs
What makes Hawaiian macaroni salad different from regular macaroni salad? A few things set it apart. The pasta is intentionally overcooked until soft (not al dente), the vinegar goes on the warm noodles before chilling, and the dressing is a simple mayo base with milk and sugar. Traditional mainland macaroni salad usually has mustard, relish, and crunchy veggies, which Hawaiian mac salad skips.
Can I make Hawaiian mac salad ahead of time? Yes, and it’s actually better that way. Making it the night before gives the noodles time to absorb all the flavors. Just stir it well and add a splash of milk and a spoonful of mayo before serving to freshen it up.
Why does my mac salad dry out in the fridge? The overcooked pasta keeps absorbing the dressing as it sits. This is totally normal. Just mix in a little more mayo and milk before serving to bring the creaminess back.
Does it have to be Hellman’s mayo? Traditionally, yes. Hellman’s (called Best Foods on the West Coast) is the standard for Hawaiian mac salad. Other real mayo brands will work, but I wouldn’t use Miracle Whip since it has a different flavor that changes the whole taste.
What do you serve Hawaiian macaroni salad with? It’s traditionally served as part of a plate lunch with rice and a protein like teriyaki chicken, kalua pork, or grilled meat. It’s also great alongside burgers, hot dogs, ribs, or anything off the grill.
Can I add more vegetables? You can, but keep in mind that authentic Hawaiian mac salad is pretty simple. Shredded carrots and onion are the classics. If you want to add more, keep it minimal so it still has that traditional feel.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
- Spaghetti Salad
- Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Broccoli Pasta Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Easy Macaroni Salad
- Cucumber Pasta Salad
- Avocado Pasta Salad
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni noodles
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 medium carrots shredded
- ½ yellow onion shredded
- 1 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Shred the carrots and onion.
- Boil the pasta for a few minutes longer than the package calls for, until soft.
- Drain the water, then add the pasta to a large bowl with the apple cider vinegar, carrots and onion. Refrigerate for about an hour until chilled.
- Mix the mayonnaise, milk, sugar, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl then fold into the pasta.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
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