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This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is truly island-style, from how it’s made to the ingredients used. This recipe uses pantry ingredients to create a creamy, no-frills macaroni salad that is the perfect side dish for any Barbecue or Luau.
Authentic Hawaiian Mac Salad
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is one of my biggest guilty pleasures because it reminds me of my time on the North Shore of Oahu. When I lived there, I often frequented a restaurant called L&L Hawaiian Barbecue where I always ordered the same thing: a plate lunch with macaroni salad and rice on the side.
And If you follow a vegan or healthy diet, we’ve added alternate ingredients that will allow you to enjoy this macaroni salad recipe.
For the complete Hawaiian experience, be sure to try our other recipes, such as Malasadas (Hawaii’s version of donuts), Haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding), and Huli-Huli Chicken (Hawaiian grilled chicken).
Mac salad when you can’t be in Hawaii
This past weekend, I had a flashback to my Hawaii days when we ordered food from Honolulu Grill in St. George, UT. Everything we had there was delicious and seriously the most authentic Hawaiian food I have had since leaving Hawaii.
The macaroni salad, especially, hit home and suddenly made me wonder why we haven’t gotten a good Hawaiian mac salad recipe here on Favorite Family Recipes yet!
Keep it Simple
Authentic Hawaiian Mac Salad is ridiculously simple. It is a no-frills mac salad yet, it is so creamy and flavorful. I had a friend in Hawaii who was also a caterer there. He explained to me long ago that true Hawaiian macaroni salad is pretty much just macaroni, carrot, mayonnaise, and salt and pepper. This is the way the locals make it.
There are a few other ingredients you can add like celery, extra onion, potatoes, fresh crab, or relish, but the basic recipe is my favorite. Once you start getting into adding ham or pineapple, you are getting way off course.
Adding ham or pineapple to something does not make it “Hawaiian Food”. Pineapple and ham have no business being in a Hawaiian mac salad. EVER.
What is the Best Mayonnaise?
The kind of mayonnaise you use in your Hawaiian Macaroni Salad matters a lot! Trust me, it just won’t taste right otherwise. As far as the BRAND of mayo, it has got to be Best Foods. Period. It’s the best mayonnaise! If you can’t get your hands on Best Foods, I also recommend using Helman’s, which is essentially the same brand, if you live on the East Coast.
To Rinse or Not to Rinse
This is the great debate. I used to always just let the noodles cool naturally but now I have no problem giving the macaroni a cool rinse and letting it drain before adding the other ingredients. It’s the ONLY time I will ever rinse noodles. I have found that when I rinse the noodles and stop the cooking process quickly, the dressing doesn’t get absorbed by the noodles near as much and I end up with a creamer mac salad. I have experimented both ways and haven’t noticed any difference in flavor.
Healthy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
This recipe may seem a little mayo-heavy, it’s true. That is what makes it so stinking good. If you are really concerned about the mayo-ness of it, you can substitute Greek yogurt in whatever amounts you would like (i.e. half mayo, half Greek yogurt).
You will get a likeness of mac salad but I am telling you, it won’t be quite the same. In Hawaii, it’s all about the mayo. As far as the BRAND of mayo, it has got to be Best Foods. Period. No other mayo will taste right.
Substitutions for a Vegan Hawaiian Mac Salad
We are so grateful for comments we get from our readers, especially when adapting recipes for special diets. We received a comment from Mimi that I thought would be helpful for anyone wanting to make this a vegan recipe. She substituted Hellman’s Vegan Mayonnaise for the regular mayo in the recipe, and Silk Unsweetened Cashew Milk for the regular milk. She said it turned out great. Thank you, Mimi!
How to make Hawaiian Mac Salad ahead of time
If you make this ahead of time and it seems a little dried out, add some mayo mixed with a little milk until you get the right consistency back. Fold it in with a large rubber spatula so you don’t tear the macaroni noodles.
More Delicious Hawaiian Food
If you love this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, try more of our other authentic Hawaiian recipes:
Loco Moco
Chicken Long Rice
Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken
Hawaiian Beef Teriyaki
Spam Musubi
Haupia
Malasadas
Chocolate Haupia Pie
Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Video
Equipment
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.
- Sprinkle on vinegar. Add carrot and onion. Toss together until well combined. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, or until cooled.
- 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.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (best if overnight).
- Gently stir before serving, add a little more milk if needed, no more than a tablespoon or two.
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!
Excellent, I lived in Hawaii for 16 years and this is the real thing, what you receive in bentos. We are having shoyu chicken, rice, and this mac salad for the 4th. Love your recipes and the way you present them. Aloha
Can I use almond milk? And light hellmans mayo?
You can, but we can’t guarantee that the dressing will have the same creamy texture.
I am a local girl from Hawaii and I truly like this salad. This is tasty, with simple ingredients and very easy to make. Our last visit to the islands, this past May, the mac salad we got with a take-out order had tuna in it. It was good and my husband like it. so I guess I will try this on one of my future barbecue events utilizing your great recipe. Mahalo nui!
Can you add tuna to this receipe?
Sure! That sounds delish!
Under nutrition info, it does’t say anything about serving size. Please provide.
Thanks!
The serving size is actually listed at the top of the recipe card above the ingredients and the video. There are 10 servings in this recipe 🙂 Hope this helps
Why does it have to be Hellman’s mayo? I only use Dukes and would hate to have to buy a mayo I won’t use just to make this salad (which I really do want to make!).
If Duke’s is what you prefer, you can use that. I personally like the taste of Hellmann’s best but if you prefer the taste of Duke’s, definitely use that instead!
Best Foods (Hellman’s) actually makes a 20 oz. package—and it was on sale at Fred Meyer (Kroger).
I rarely leave reviews for recipes I find online, but this was so perfect I had to send my kudos! I made it last night and served it at dinner tonight. Exactly like a great Hawaiian restaurant would serve. Delish
Wow what a compliment! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment <3 Means the world to us! Glad you liked it!
Make sure you drain your pasta extra well. Mine came out soupy. Im hoping the noodles will absorb some of this moisture. Maybe i should save my rating until it sits for a few hours but right after mixing this looks nothing like the mac salad I had in HI or anywhere mainland. It tastes good though. I also used coconut milk instead of cows milk because of my dairy allergy.
How many people does this feed? Love this recipe and want to make it for a large crowd, 50-60 people. 2 trays enough?
This recipe makes about 10 servings, so you’d need 5 or 6 batches. You might be able to get away with 4 batches if there are other sides going with it.
I would give this recipe 4 stars only because the only mayo I use is blue plate mayo? I’m from the south Louisiana to be exact right out of New Orleans and by far I have tasted many brands of mayo and none comes close. Try it you’ll like it. Otherwise sounds wonderful.
Recipe is very simple to make. It’s best macaroni salad I’ve ever had
Thank you! What a compliment! So glad you liked it!
This is definitely plate lunch Mac salad. It is perfect and exactly as I remember it. I didn’t even add salt or pepper and everyone raved about it!
My wife made this and it’s the best macaroni salad I’ve ever tasted in my life. Then she tried to tell me it was her secret recipe and she couldn’t give it to me, but then admitted it was this one. She grates a little extra onion and freezes it for one hour right after she finishes it, then puts it in the fridge.
If she isn’t lying and it’s actually this one, it’s going to knock your block off, my man.
I love love love it💖💖💖💖💖💖
This is just how I remember it. Spot on.
Exactly like we had in the local eateries on Oahu and on Maui! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Hands down this is THE one! When I want Mac salad, I want a Hawaiian one that comes with the plate lunch… this did not disappoint!
I just made this for my husband’s luau birthday for 50 people. I use the 3X amount but came 1 cup short for the mayo, but it still turned out amazing and was a big hit!
So I read the comments and cut my mayo to 2 cups and could see I made a mistake. Since I didn’t add it mixed together I just tossed the half cup into the whole dish but I’m certain it will still taste fantastic… because I had to try a bite before putting it back in the fridge for the four hours and it was amazing. Will be making this often for BBQs! Thank you
Best ever. Seriously! I found this recipe and made it for a big group..it was a huge hit and everyone kept asking about it.
Tried to make it again several times but couldn’t find this exact recipe, and was not nearly as good. Finally just found it again tonight and was so happy! Made it- turned out PERFECT. And finally, someone else who believes in Hellmans Mayo as much as I do.