Hawaiian macaroni salad is so creamy and flavorful, with soft fat noodles that soak up the mayo-rich dressing, easy to make and so very craveable. Serve it with huli huli chicken or pineapple fried rice!
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish you need to bring to your next party or gathering.
We saw this dish everywhere in Hawaii, served from food trucks, with plate lunches, restaurants. It's a cornerstone of Hawaiian cuisine, easily one of their most popular dishes.
Hawaiian macaroni salad - called Hawaiian mac salad or simply "mac salad" on the islands - is perfect for BBQs, pot lucks, picnics, pretty much any party situation, and you can make the salad ahead of time, which actually makes the dish that much better.
There are many variations, but this is a quintessential version of the recipe that you can use a base to customize as you wish. Just be careful, it's super addictive. Just wait, you'll see. We couldn't stop eating it.
Let's talk about how to make Hawaiian macaroni salad, shall we?
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Ingredients
The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Dry Elbow Macaroni Noodles.
- Onion. Use yellow onion, sweet onion, Vidalia, or white onion.
- Carrot.
- Mayonnaise. Use your favorites, but Hawaiians use Best Foods or Hellman's mayonnaise for authentic Hawaiian mac salad.
- Milk.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. Or use sweet pickle juice!
- Sugar. Optional.
- Salt and Pepper. To taste.
How to Make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad - the Recipe Method
Boil the macaroni noodles until very soft, then drain and set the cooked pasta into a bowl.
Stir in the remaining ingredients - grated onion, grated carrot, half of the mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, optional sugar, and salt and pepper to taste - then mix it all up.
Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, but overnight is best for more developed flavor.
When you’re ready to serve, stir in the remaining mayonnaise and serve chilled.
Boom! Done! Your Hawaiian mac salad is ready to serve. Look at how incredibly creamy this dish is. I'm ready to dig into this! Watch out, it is seriously addictive.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- You will get the best results when you overcook the macaroni noodles until they are very fat and soft. This helps them absorb the delicious mayo for fuller flavor.
- Grated onion is a key ingredient in developing that addictive flavor, so do not skip it.
- It is very important to refrigerate the macaroni salad overnight in the refrigerator to allow the macaroni to absorb the mayonnaise dressing. It is so much better the next day.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Variations
There are many popular ways to vary up this recipe. Popular additions include cooked potato, chopped hard boiled eggs, peas, celery, green onions, tuna, imitation crab meat, chopped ham.
This is a recipe you can really customize and make your own.
Storage & Leftovers
Hawaiian macaroni salad will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. If it starts to dry out, stir in a bit more mayo or milk to loosen it back up.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this Hawaiian mac salad recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up!
Cookbook Recommendation
If you enjoy Hawaiian cuisine, check out these cookbooks, which helped me adapt this recipe. Great recipes!
- Cook Real Hawai'i: A Cookbook, by by Sheldon Simeon (affiliate link, my friends!)
- Aloha Kitchen: Recipes from Hawai'i, by Alana Kysar (affiliate link, my friends!)
- Also, check out MY cookbook! The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)
Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Recommended Ingredients
- Best Foods Mayonnaise - Recommended by traditional Hawaiian chefs! (affiliate link, my friends!)
Try Some of My Other Popular Side Dish Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
- Potato Salad
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Esquites Recipe (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
- Elote Recipe (Mexican Street Corn)
Also try my Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water recipe.
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry elbow macaroni noodles
- 1/4 cup grated onion with juices (Use yellow onion, sweet onion, Vidalia, or white onion)
- 1/4 cup grated or shredded carrot
- 3 cups mayonnaise divided (Use your favorites, but Hawaiians use Best Foods or Hellman's mayonnaise)
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or use sweet pickle juice!
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni noodles in lightly salted boiling water until very tender, about 10 minutes. Check the packaging for proper times - you'll get best results from very tender noodles. Drain and set into a large bowl.
- Stir in the grated onion, carrot, half of the mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, optional sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, over overnight for more developed flavor.
- When you’re ready to serve, stir in remaining mayonnaise. Taste and adjust for seasonings. Serve chilled.
Nutrition Information
Kathi says
This looks amazing, I’m gluten and dairy free, I assume I can use gluten free noodles but what are your thoughts about what milk substitute to use? I was thinking of using coconut milk?
Mike H. says
Hi Kathi. Thanks. Unsweetened coconut milk should work. Also, unsweetened almond milk and soy milk could be good alternatives.
Karen says
Absolutely amazing! Will definitely be making this again.
Mike H. says
Fantastic - thank you, Karen!
Bill says
In the dim dark recesses of what passes for for my mind I am stuck on including diced Spam. Your thoughts?
Thanks!
Mike Hultquist says
I would give it a go, Bill! Let me know how you enjoy it if you try it!
Bill says
The small diced Spam worked well. Nice salty touch.
Margarita says
This recipe brings back many wonderful memories. I was looking for something special to go with pulled bbq chicken sandwiches, this will be perfect!! As always, your recipes inspire and are spot on. Thank you and please keep sharing.
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome! Thanks, Margarita! I love it!
Darrell says
What kind of onion do you recommended? My gut tells me a sweet yellow onion, but I don't want to just assume.
Mike Hultquist says
Darrell, use a sweet onion, Vidalia, white, or yellow onion for this. Enjoy!!
Kathleen says
My recipe is from Zippys Drive In. Very similar. Better than regular sloppy mayo version most people know. Had it with plate lunch on Oahu and still crave it all these years later. Must follow the instructions to get legit Hawaiian plate lunch Mac salad! Thanks for sharing.
Mike H. says
You are very welcome, Kathleen!
Confused says
I don't understand why it's called "Hawaiian", I was expecting to find some pineapple in there somewhere.
Mike Hultquist says
This is what you get when you visit Hawaii. It's a traditional recipe there. This is all mentioned in the post.
Ramya says
Cant wait to make this soon for me i love pasta sooooooooo much i never had hawaiian macaroni salad before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Mike Hultquist says
I hope you love this one, Ramya. Enjoy.