Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (2024)

No backyard barbecue is complete without a well-placed side salad. Cold pasta salads—especially a creamy concoction like a Hawaiian macaroni salad recipe—are a perfect counterbalance to rich grilled meats.

This Hawaiian pasta salad recipe stands out from a mainland classic pasta salad recipe because of its simplicity. The noodles are much softer, allowing the creamy dressing to take center stage. Surprisingly, the dressing is basically high-quality mayonnaise. We add a little sugar and vinegar to our recipe for depth, but there’s no need for additions like mustard, sour cream, evaporated milk or relish.

What is Hawaiian macaroni salad?

Hawaiian macaroni salad is a no-frills pasta salad made with elbow macaroni, shredded carrots and a generous amount of mayonnaise, which gives the salad its signature creaminess and flavor. Most recipes include vinegar and a touch of sugar in the dressing, and some (like ours) also include grated celery and onions. However, it’s uncommon to find ham, pineapple or other tropical ingredients often associated with Hawaii.

Where did Hawaiian macaroni salad originate?

Hawaiian mac salad’s origins are said to date back to the early 1900s when European hotel chefs and plantation owners introduced potato salad recipes to the islands. Unfortunately, potatoes perished quickly in the humid climate, and spuds were later swapped for a cheaper, nonperishable ingredient: dry elbow pasta.

Hawaiian pasta salad soon became a staple side dish in migrant plantation workers’ metal-box lunches, which also included salty meats and white rice (leftovers from the workers’ dinners the night before). By the 1930s, waterfront and roadside vendors started selling Hawaiian mac salad, giving it a permanent place in Hawaiian cuisine.

Today, macaroni salad is incredibly popular in Hawaii because of its key role in plate lunch—a quintessential Hawaiian food. Almost every diner and food truck serves up these hefty plate lunches piled high with rice, baked or grilled meat likekalua porkorhuli huli chicken, and a perfect scoop of Hawaiian macaroni salad. The creamy, mayonnaise-drenched macaroni salad augments the flavor of the plain white rice while neutralizing the saltier, more robust flavors found in the meat.

Ingredients for Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

• Elbow macaroni: You could technically use any type of small-shaped pasta, but elbow macaroni is the most popular choice for this specific recipe.
• Mayonnaise: This is not the time or the place for Miracle Whip! Real mayonnaise gives this salad the right flavor and creamy texture. Authentic versions of Hawaiian macaroni salad specifically call for Best Foods (or Hellmann’s) brand of mayonnaise.
• Cider vinegar: Vinegar adds a tangy contrast to the rich mayonnaise. We also use the vinegar to season the macaroni noodles just after they’re cooked.
• Milk: Milk thins the dressing to the perfect consistency. The dressing should be thin enough to coat every noodle but not so thick that it pools around the pasta.
• Carrot, celery and onion: These veggies taste refreshing and crisp alongside the tender mac and creamy dressing. You can omit the celery and onion, but grated carrot is essential to authentic Hawaiian mac salad.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a warm, slightly sweet edge to the creamy dressing and contains molasses, which introduces a caramelized, toffee-like character.
• Green onions: Finishing the salad with chopped green onions gives it a burst of color and a subtle onion flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the macaroni

Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Toss the macaroni with 1 tablespoon vinegar, and allow it to cool completely.

Editor’s Tip: Hawaiian macaroni salad is notably softer than other pasta salads, so cook the noodles slightly past al dente. The softer noodles will soak up more of the dressing and create a creamier pasta salad.

Step 2: Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar with the mayonnaise, milk, carrot, celery, onion, brown sugar, salt and pepper.

Step 3: Mix the Hawaiian macaroni salad

Add the macaroni to a large serving bowl. Add the dressing, and gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. If desired, garnish with green onions.

Recipe Variations

• Add a little zip: Add a dash of paprika and turmeric to the dressing to give it a zippy flavor and a yellow-orange tinge. Feel free to add spices like onion powder, garlic powder or cayenne pepper.
• Lighten it up: Substitute Greek yogurt for half (or all) the mayonnaise. It won’t taste quite the same, but it’s a good option if you’re looking to reduce your mayonnaise intake.
• Turn it into a main dish: Add protein by folding in chopped ham, bacon, canned tuna or hard-boiled eggs. You can also add hearty veggies like small broccoli florets, diced cucumber, red pepper or sliced black olives.
• Make it vegan: Swap in your favorite brand of vegan mayonnaise and unsweetened plant-based milk.

How to Store Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Store homemade macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. As with most pasta salads, the Hawaiian macaroni salad recipe lasts up to four days.

Can you make Hawaiian macaroni salad ahead of time?

This Hawaiian pasta salad recipe is a great make-ahead side dish for potlucks and picnics. Make the salad ahead of time, and keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. If the salad looks dry, revive it by stirring in 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water or mayonnaise thinned with a little bit of milk. Stir gently to avoid tearing the delicate macaroni noodles.

Can you freeze Hawaiian macaroni salad?

While you can freeze cooked pasta, you should avoid freezing dressed pasta salad. The dressing can separate in the freezer and lose its creamy consistency. Luckily, this Hawaiian macaroni salad recipe is so delicious that you probably won’t end up with extras!

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Tips

Do you heat up Hawaiian macaroni salad?

A Hawaiian pasta salad recipe is not meant to be heated. It’s a cool, creamy side dish that should be served chilled.

What do you serve with Hawaiian macaroni salad?

At a food truck or roadside stand in Hawaii, Hawaiian mac salad is served with a meaty entree and a few scoops of white rice. However, you can serve this recipe with any of your favorite barbecue recipes, like ribs, burgers, hot dogs or grilled pork chops. The salad is simple, creamy and cool, so it wonderfully balances spicy, rich or meaty dishes.

Watch how to Make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad