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4.29 from 7 votes

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

This creamy and tangy Hawaiian macaroni salad is the perfect side dish to all your summer BBQ mains. Go give it a shot!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Chill Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 640kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • Strainer

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce Elbow Macaroni
  • 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 Carrots shredded
  • 1/4 cup Onion shredded (optional-can sub for ½ tsp Onion Powder)
  • 3 cups Mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup Milk
  • 1.5 tsp Sugar
  • 1 pinch Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook it according to the package instructions until it's tender. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
  • While the macaroni is cooking, shred the carrots and onion, set aside.
  • Once the macaroni is cooked, drain it well and transfer to a large mixing bowl. While the macaroni is still hot, add the apple cider vinegar, shredded carrots and onions. Combine well but be careful not to smush the noodles as you stir, I usually fold the ingredients together. Cool in the fridge for 20-30 minutes or until completely cooled.
  • While the macaroni is cooling, in a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise, milk, sugar and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pour the dressing over the cooled macaroni and combine thoroughly. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, adjusting to your liking.
  • You can serve immediately but I prefer to cover the macaroni salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the macaroni to absorb some of the dressing and the flavors to meld together.
  • Just before serving, check the salad. The macaroni likely would have absorbed a lot of the dressing. If it looks a bit dry, just add a splash of milk and stir until it's as creamy as you like it.

Notes

Notes:
  • This macaroni salad is meant to be served with Huli Huli/Hawaiian Chicken - It's the PERFECT cold pairing side dish for grilled or smoked meat! We make it ALL the time for guests and they LOVE it together!
  • Some people add chopped eggs, celery, green olives or chopped dill pickles to this salad.
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
  • Store the mac salad in an airtight container or if you're using a bowl, you can cover it tightly with plastic wrap. The salad will keep well for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Other FAQ Suggestions:
  • Can I Make this Salad Vegan? You sure can! Simply swap the milk and the mayonnaise for vegan alternatives.
  • How Do I Fix Clumped Salad Leftovers? If your leftover salad has clumped up and doesn't have the right texture, you can easily fix this by mixing some mayo and a bit of milk together and adding it into the salad, giving it a quick mix using a soft silicone spatula.
  • What Else Can I Add to the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad? Based on your personal taste preference, you can add your own choice of veggies and add-ons into the salad.