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This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is truly island-style, from how it’s made to the ingredients used. This recipe uses pantry ingredients to create a creamy, no-frills macaroni salad that is the perfect side dish for any Barbecue or Luau.
Authentic Hawaiian Mac Salad
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is one of my biggest guilty pleasures because it reminds me of my time on the North Shore of Oahu. When I lived there, I often frequented a restaurant called L&L Hawaiian Barbecue where I always ordered the same thing: a plate lunch with macaroni salad and rice on the side.
And If you follow a vegan or healthy diet, we’ve added alternate ingredients that will allow you to enjoy this macaroni salad recipe.
For the complete Hawaiian experience, be sure to try our other recipes, such as Malasadas (Hawaii’s version of donuts), Haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding), and Huli-Huli Chicken (Hawaiian grilled chicken).
Mac salad when you can’t be in Hawaii
This past weekend, I had a flashback to my Hawaii days when we ordered food from Honolulu Grill in St. George, UT. Everything we had there was delicious and seriously the most authentic Hawaiian food I have had since leaving Hawaii.
The macaroni salad, especially, hit home and suddenly made me wonder why we haven’t gotten a good Hawaiian mac salad recipe here on Favorite Family Recipes yet!
Keep it Simple
Authentic Hawaiian Mac Salad is ridiculously simple. It is a no-frills mac salad yet, it is so creamy and flavorful. I had a friend in Hawaii who was also a caterer there. He explained to me long ago that true Hawaiian macaroni salad is pretty much just macaroni, carrot, mayonnaise, and salt and pepper. This is the way the locals make it.
There are a few other ingredients you can add like celery, extra onion, potatoes, fresh crab, or relish, but the basic recipe is my favorite. Once you start getting into adding ham or pineapple, you are getting way off course.
Adding ham or pineapple to something does not make it “Hawaiian Food”. Pineapple and ham have no business being in a Hawaiian mac salad. EVER.
What is the Best Mayonnaise?
The kind of mayonnaise you use in your Hawaiian Macaroni Salad matters a lot! Trust me, it just won’t taste right otherwise. As far as the BRAND of mayo, it has got to be Best Foods. Period. It’s the best mayonnaise! If you can’t get your hands on Best Foods, I also recommend using Helman’s, which is essentially the same brand, if you live on the East Coast.
To Rinse or Not to Rinse
This is the great debate. I used to always just let the noodles cool naturally but now I have no problem giving the macaroni a cool rinse and letting it drain before adding the other ingredients. It’s the ONLY time I will ever rinse noodles. I have found that when I rinse the noodles and stop the cooking process quickly, the dressing doesn’t get absorbed by the noodles near as much and I end up with a creamer mac salad. I have experimented both ways and haven’t noticed any difference in flavor.
Healthy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
This recipe may seem a little mayo-heavy, it’s true. That is what makes it so stinking good. If you are really concerned about the mayo-ness of it, you can substitute Greek yogurt in whatever amounts you would like (i.e. half mayo, half Greek yogurt).
You will get a likeness of mac salad but I am telling you, it won’t be quite the same. In Hawaii, it’s all about the mayo. As far as the BRAND of mayo, it has got to be Best Foods. Period. No other mayo will taste right.
Substitutions for a Vegan Hawaiian Mac Salad
We are so grateful for comments we get from our readers, especially when adapting recipes for special diets. We received a comment from Mimi that I thought would be helpful for anyone wanting to make this a vegan recipe. She substituted Hellman’s Vegan Mayonnaise for the regular mayo in the recipe, and Silk Unsweetened Cashew Milk for the regular milk. She said it turned out great. Thank you, Mimi!
How to make Hawaiian Mac Salad ahead of time
If you make this ahead of time and it seems a little dried out, add some mayo mixed with a little milk until you get the right consistency back. Fold it in with a large rubber spatula so you don’t tear the macaroni noodles.
More Delicious Hawaiian Food
If you love this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, try more of our other authentic Hawaiian recipes:
Loco Moco
Chicken Long Rice
Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken
Hawaiian Beef Teriyaki
Spam Musubi
Haupia
Malasadas
Chocolate Haupia Pie
Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound macaroni
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 carrots, shredded
- ¼ cup shredded onion (optional)
- 2 ½ cups Mayonnaise Best Foods or Hellman's mayonnaise (no substitutes!)
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- kosher salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Rinse under cold water until completely cool. Drain well and place in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle on vinegar. Add carrot and onion. Toss together until well combined. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, or until cooled.
- In a separate, small bowl, whisk together mayo, milk, and sugar. Fold the mayo mixture into the macaroni until all the noodles are evenly coated. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (best if overnight).
- Gently stir before serving, add a little more milk if needed, no more than a tablespoon or two.
Notes
- I like to put my boiled macaroni and ingredients directly in a Tupperware bowl with a lid so I can easily refrigerate it.
- Make sure you use Best Foods or Hellmann’s mayonnaise-no substitutes!
Disappointed. Followed the recipe to a tee and it tasted like mayo carrot pasta
Sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe! Have you ever tried authentic Hawaiian mac salad before or is this your first time? It is not like regular macaroni salad, it is much more simple and complements other Hawaiian dishes such as Kalua pork and rice.
This was amazing I’m making it again for a second time! I doubled it and also doubled the carrots but I feel like I will use less the next time my husband loved it that way, but ever since my last baby I cannot eat them as much lol 😂 but it’s amazing 🖤
oops, I’m sorry I forgot to give five stars
Thanks for coming back to leave the 5 stars!
I tried this recipe and I loved it, it has a special taste to it. It is now saved for future purposes. Thank you.
Wow the ACV was very potent for only 2tbsp. Not sure the noodles needed to be that cooled as I don’t think it absorbed. Next time I’ll cut it just a bit or put on warmer noodles. Still a nice and creamy recipe.
I have made this dish many times and it is always a fan favorite! I am from South Carolina and the only Mayo I use is Duke’s. I add finely sliced celery, and red onion for more color. I also make extra dressing to keep on the side of anyone wants a little more creaminess.
Yes, Duke’s is a great one as well! We don’t see a lot of Duke’s over on the West coast so I haven’t used it much but it is similar to Best Food’s for sure
Love Hawaiian mac salad and this recipe nailed it! Believe it or not, it makes a big difference to let the salad sit in the fridge before serving.
So glad you liked the mac salad! Thanks for the 5-stars! 😀
Yeah but i could never do it without you. The secret ingredient is looking in your eyes while I eat it.
Thanks for the recipe! It’s delish
You are so welcome!
need to add a tablespoon of fish sauce / patis / gnoc mom to the noodles for an authentic flavor
This is a good recipe but legit the apple cider vinegar needs to added to warm macaroni in order to fully absorb. No need to rinse or cool mac. Also OG mac salad uses more milk to Mayo ratio. Otherwise good job.
It was okay. I cut the carrot to one because the one I had was large. I thought it was okay but a bit bland. 2 out of 5 of us liked it.
I’m sorry to hear this! Less carrot in the recipe may have affected the taste.
I agree
So for it was an easy recipe. I love this salad.
Agreed! I can’t eat any of my favorite Hawaiian dishes without it.
So good
EXACTLY like L&L’s but maybe even a bit better?! I followed the recipe precisely and am obsessed. Thank you!
Nothing like LNL since they have tuna in theirs.
love your salad