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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.
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.
Healthier 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
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.
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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!
This is an amazing recipe! Yes indeed, Macaroni salad is very popular in Hawaii. I was just there for nine days and bought a 2 pound container at Safeway for $10. It was delicious and appeared to be similar ingredients. When I make macaroni salad, it seems to dry out the next day. What makes this recipe different so it does not dry out the following day after making it.
Thank you for your comment, Lonna. I’m glad you like the recipe. I always make this Mac salad a day before serving, and it’s never dry.
This is fantastic. I feel like I’m back in Hawaii! I love to make this with crockpot kalua pig and cabbage.
So glad you liked it! Yes, it is sooo good with Kalua pig and cabbage. One of my favorite combos!
I grew up in Maui, your recipe is close to our family recipe except, we use rice wine vinegar and one teaspoon of tuna, depending on the size of salad. I think the rice wine vinegar is sweeter that the apple cider vinegar so we don’t add sugar. Anyway, I love this Mac Salad and I appreciate the recipe.
Aloha🌺🌸
I love the idea of using rice vinegar rather than apple cider vinegar. I love the flavor of it so I can imagine it’s a great substitute! Thanks for the tip and I’m definitely going to try it next time! – Erica
Best summertime actually anytime macaroni salad! So simple and so tasty everyone always raves about it!
Thank you, Barbara. We couldn’t agree more!
Going camping with the fam and wondering if this can be frozen in advance? Or must be combined on the spot?
I’m sorry, this Mac salad does not freeze well. It does last for 2-3 days refrigerated, or in a cooler packed with ice. Have fun camping!
This recipe is the bomb! Made it exactly as written and it took me back to Kauai! I, like others, didn’t notice the note to over cook the pasta by a few minutes. Next time for sure but it was still amazing! Thanks so much for the recipe! Crab pasta salad next on the list!
Thanks, Bernie! I’m so glad you like the Mac salad! I made it today myself for a family dinner tomorrow. Let us know how you like the crab pasta salad. 🙂
Great recipe with options. One thing I didn’t see that is super important is to overcook the noodles by at least 3 min.
Thank you, Nancy. Just curious, why do you recommend overcooking the noodles?
I’ve never been a fan of macaroni salad. However, my grandson made this recipe for our Christmas dinner get together. I tried some to be polite. I loved it. I even went back for seconds. I have seen this recipe so many times in some of the sites I see so it must be a much liked salad. I urge anyone to try it. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you, Jan! I’m glad you were polite and gave it a try!
Will Almond Milk work for this recipe? Can you also add sugar substitute or nothing?
Almond milk will work, but the consistency will be thinner and it will slightly change the taste. You can use a sugar substitute. I recommend using 1/2 teaspoon Stevia in place of the 2 tablespoons of sugar. Thanks for asking!
Can I make this 48 hours in advance?
Thanks!
Yes, you may need to add a little milk to freshen it before serving. Stir in a couple of tablespoons and add more if needed. Thanks for asking!