This Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is cool and creamy and completely customizable to your taste preferences too!
When my husband and I first got married we lived in a tiny townhouse that was within walking distance from a quaint Hawaiian restaurant.
While I was pregnant with my first daughter I would walk the 1/4 mile to indulge in a plate lunch that consisted of chicken katsu and Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. Even after my daughter was born I would still pack her in the stroller and walk to get my fix. We moved shortly after she was born and I had almost forgotten about this epic salad until I recently visited a street cart in Portland last month.
A few of my friends and I were trying all the infamous food carts in the bustling city of Portland when we spotted a cart that boasted a really long line.
Of course we had to check it out. To my surprise (and delight) it was a Hawaiian food truck! We waited for what seemed like hours to get a hot plate lunch with a cool and creamy macaroni salad.
I was instantly transported back to the early days of my married life. As soon as I got back home from my trip I knew instantly I needed to fine tune a recipe of my own.
I searched high and low for the key to the BEST dressing, and stumbled upon this gem. The trick to a good Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is to use a really good quality mayo. Best Foods was the top choice (or Hellmann’s depending on where you live).
How To Make Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad:
- Cook your pasta, then let it soak up some apple cider vinegar before tossing it in the creamy mayo sauce.
- Customize your Hawaiian Macaroni Salad by adding in shredded carrots, shredded sweet onions, peas, or even diced ham!
- The flavors of the pasta really enhance after a night of chilling in the fridge. But you can serve right away if desired.
Now, the macaroni salad that I had in Portland was suuuuuuper basic, and only consisted of this creamy sauce and a little salt and pepper. The nice thing about a pasta salad like this though, is that you can add in all sorts of additions to the finished product to suit your needs. I love adding in shredded carrots, peas, and sweet onions. Some people enjoy chopped pineapple and cubed ham.
The options are endless, but whatever you choose, you’re going to LOVE it!
Now I only have to walk to my fridge to enjoy this delicious salad!
Oh and that delicious chicken in the pictures above is my Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken, in case you wanted something to go with your salad!
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. uncooked macaroni pasta
- 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/2 cups Best Foods Mayo, divided
- 1 cup milk, 2% is best, divided
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
Optional Add-ins:
- thinly sliced sweet onions
- diced celery
- finely shredded carrots
- chopped pineapple bits
- peas
- hard boiled egg
- crumble bacon
- cubed ham
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions and then drain well. Place hot pasta in a large bowl and sprinkle with the apple cider vinegar, stirring to coat. Let the pasta absorb the vinegar and cool for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile whisk together 2 cups mayo, 1/2 cups milk, sugar, salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni salad into the dressing, stirring to coat and then let cool completely.
- Add the remaining 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, along with any additional add-ins you would like, and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight. Stir before serving and adjust seasonings as needed. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Marco
Great Recipe! I made it for myself and let it chill overnight. When I cam home the next day my wife and daughter had eaten it all up. I guess they liked it.
The article says “DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
don’t forget to share a picture and mention @iwashyoudry on Instagram or tag #iwashyoudry!” but I couldn’t find the option on IWYD to post a picture and I don’t do Instagram (I actually have a life, don’t need Instagram).
Dianne
This is a great recipe.
I’d lost track of the recipe that I made for years when my husband and his family member old friends from Oahu were visiting. All I could remember was milk, sugar, grated onions and apple cider vinegar. I cut the recipe down to 1/4 (only my husband so I don’t need to feed a crowd). The only adjustment I made was to double the ACV to 2T since I like it tangy.
I did add the grated onion and some shredded carrot. Will be serving it tomorrow with teriyaki chicken and sticky rice.
Shawn
Sounds like some great additions! So glad you’re enjoying the recipe!
Keli
I just wanted to thank you! I lived on the Big Island for almost six years and the food — good golly I miss the food!! Over the years, I’ve tried to find a recipe for mac salad that reminds me of those amazing plate lunch specials, but it’s never been quite right (including ones that are from locals and one from Hawaiian Magazine). This recipe is the closest thing I’ve tried. I’m a purist and I like it how it normally comes in the local restaurants–mac salad with carrots (I loathe onions, celery, tuna, peas, etc).
Thanks again!
(PS – I think I ate a plate lunch from that same food truck last year!)
Shawn
That’s fantastic! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe Keli!
Sherry Johnson
I was within walking distance of the original Nohos in Portland and I was OBSESSED with their Macoroni Salad. I got a craving today (we live in Florida now and I have yet to find a Hawaii place I love) and stunpled across your recipe and it was perfect. Thanks for sharing
Amy
I love this recipe! I didn’t really like pasta salad until this. The vinegar step and the bit of sugar just round out the flavors. I made a big batch and will do half personalized for myself and half for my bf. There are so many variations possible.
Shawn
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Amy!
Cathy
Thank you for sharing this recipe. My husband and I moved to an area where there is no Hawaiian restaurant so I learned how to make kalua pork and this pasta salad is a perfect side dish! I added sweet onion, pineapple, and dried cilantro. It was so good!
Shawn
Fantastic! So glad you found this recipe and are loving it!! Kalua pork sounds so good right now! 🙂
Jordan
My partner and I love this! We always hated store bought Mac salad, and when we go to Hawaiian restaurants it’s good, but we wanted to make it on our own. This is delicious! We also live in Portland and want to know what the food cart was you ate at? We always want new tasty places to eat! Thank you.
Shawn
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! As for the name of the food truck, I really can’t remember! Darn, I’m so sorry. Hopefully you can find one there to enjoy.
Dawn
Born and raised in Hawaii, every family has their own version, claiming to be the best. My mother’s always included shredded carrots, onions, celery, peas, regular canned tuna well drained, lots of eggs. As a treat, she’d do a crab version for “company”, later changing it out to the imitation crab. Everything else was “eyeballed” and to taste and was the best. Served over Manoa lettuce leaves, similar to butter lettuce, “broke da mouth”.
Your’s is a good launching point for creative minds.
Esther jay
My son insists if there is a Hawaiian macaroni salad that includes leftover luau Kalua Pig is he right?
Sarah Jackson
The Northwest has some of the best Hawaiian places. Especially Portland! Will try this out! Thank you.
Quanessa
Found this recipe quickly while grocery shopping for my son’s birthday that’s approaching this week. He’s a vegan and likes macaroni salad. When I saw this on Pinterest I thought wow interesting than the traditional macaroni salad. Cannot wait! I’ll update my review :).
Kyle
Has become our go to recipe, thank you 🙂
Shawn
Awesome! So glad you’re enjoying it! 🙂
vex 3
Looks delicious and attractive, thanks for sharing the recipe, I will definitely learn to cook for my family enjoy
Chris White
What size macaroni do you use? I love using the large elbow macaroni with butter as a side dish.
Shawn
I just used regular sized elbow macaroni. But you can use large if you want!
Lynne Robinett
I love I Wash you Dry the Pop Ups are to many for me. I’ll have to cancel the site.
Diane
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe. Thank you for posting it! While serving in the US Navy, I was stationed in Hawaii and always enjoyed the lunch plate off the Kau Kau truck (food truck) after a day of beach and body surfing – teriyaki chicken, macaroni salad and sticky rice. Many happy memories. Thanks again for posting this memory. Aloha!
Shawn
Such fun memories! We went to Hawaii last year for the first time and I can’t wait to make it back again!
DEBRA CARRASQUILLO
This is not authentic…….vinegar, milk and sugar???? Just because it says Hawaiian bbq doesn’t make it authentic.
Marie Czarnecki
Why do you comment?? Just because to be noticed?? If you don’t like it don’t make it, “GEEEEEEEZ”!!!
Debbie
Linda Salmi
Why the negative Nellie attitude? If you have the authentic recipe then post it, or say nothing!!
John
Thank you for posting this recipe! I too have been on a search for the right creaminess, sweetness, texture and slight tartiness. You did a fantastic job. I live on the east coast now, and have been missing L&L in socal, and really can’t do the 12 hour flight to get my hawaiian mac salad fix. Been there many times. Though I can’t compare side by side, when I made it, it tasted authentic to me. I have tried other recipes and they just fell short. So thank you, thank you, thank you!
Tim
Some people aren’t happy unless they state a negative opinion. I agree with the person that said , Just don’t try it . Try being a positive person, you will be much happier.
Leah
I noticed in the ingredients list it calls for 2 1/2 cups of mayo, however, in the instructions only 2 cups are added. What do you recommend? Can’t wait to try it.
Shawn
Sorry, I’ll get that updated. Basically you’ll start with 2 cups, then add the remaining 1/2 cup as needed at the end.
Freddh
My wife is from the Big Island, yes the same area where Kilauea is erupting. She adds a can of albacore tuna to the mix as well as other items from your optional add on list. Great recipe and eating. Mahalo!
Shawn
Wow, I heard about the eruptions! That’s crazy! I’ll have to try adding tuna to the salad too! Thanks for the suggestion!
Kali
Yes! I was going to say that my husband’s idea of Hawaiin Mac Salad is: Tuna Mac!
I am not a big fan of tuna myself, but I’m going to be making him a batch today!
My son was born on the Big Island and I miss it so much! We are on the mainland for the time being while my husband finishes school and we save up some money to build on our land out there.
I was actually looking for the I Believe I Can Fry recipe just now, I’ve made it several times and lost the recipe (I couldn’t remember the website) the apple cider vinegar adds such an awesome touch! I’m so glad I stumbled upon this! Thank you 😀
Shawn
I hope you enjoy it Kali! Glad you found my site! 🙂
Cindy
Instead of milk, I sub 1 cup of coconut cream, Yummy
Shawn
Great idea! Thanks for sharing Cindy! 🙂
Janie
We are blessed to be able to travel to Hawaii every other summer! I first had this salad at a luau in Honolulu years ago and haven’t been able to stop eating it! I make mine at home with carrots and pineapple, but you’re right, sometimes simple is better! 🙂
Shawn
Oh fun! We are heading to Hawaii for our first time this October and I’m so excited!
Anna Wright
It sounds great, damn good!
Brenda Gatlin
frozen peas , or canned ?
Shawn
I would use frozen. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it Brenda!
Marlene Graham
Agree, frozen are always better in salads, anytime actually
Kali
I prefer to use whole peas. I take the peas out of the casing, throw the peas in, then chop up the casing really fine and throw a good amount of those in as well!
Tina Klein
Kali, what a great idea, yummmm. Thanks, now my mind is racing with ALL kinds of ideas!