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A spoon taking a scoop of Hawaiian macaroni salad from a serving bowl
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4.97 from 696 votes

Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is the real deal. A no-frills, creamy mac salad that is the perfect side dish for any BBQ or Luau!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keyword: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, Side, Side Dish
Servings: 12
Calories: 151kcal
Author: Erica Walker

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.
    Glass bowl of cooked elbow pasta. Spatula on the side.
  • Sprinkle on vinegar. Add carrot and onion. Toss together until well combined. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, or until cooled.
    Glass bowl of pasta and shredded carrot with a spatula.
  • 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.
    Stirring glass bowl of pasta and sauce with carrot.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (best if overnight).
    Placing plastic wrap on top of glass bowl of Hawaiian Mac salad.
  • Gently stir before serving, add a little more milk if needed, no more than a tablespoon or two.
    Bowl of Hawaiian Mac Salad. Wooden spoon on the side.

Video

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! 

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 0.2mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1708IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg