Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is a simple yet incredibly satisfying dish that’s a staple in Hawaiian plate lunches. It’s creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet, offering the perfect balance of flavors and textures. This humble side dish is beloved for its rich, comforting flavor and its ability to complement just about any main course, from grilled meats to fried chicken.
What makes Hawaiian Macaroni Salad different from other pasta salads is its distinct creaminess. The pasta is intentionally cooked until very soft, giving it a tender texture that soaks up the creamy dressing beautifully. The dressing itself is a simple yet flavorful mix, often featuring mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and sometimes a hint of mustard or grated onion. This combination results in a slightly tangy, sweet flavor that perfectly coats every piece of macaroni.
It’s a dish that’s more than the sum of its parts. While it may seem straightforward, the beauty of Hawaiian Macaroni Salad lies in its simplicity and the way it pairs with bold, savory dishes. Whether served alongside smoky kalua pork, crispy fried chicken, or teriyaki beef, it offers a cooling, creamy contrast that rounds out the meal perfectly.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is also a nostalgic comfort food for many. It’s the kind of dish that shows up at family barbecues, beach picnics, and backyard gatherings, always met with smiles and empty plates. Its familiar flavor evokes warm weather, island vibes, and the laid-back feeling of sharing food with friends and family.
Beyond its role as a classic side, it’s versatile enough to be adapted to personal tastes. Some versions include shredded carrots for color and crunch, while others might add green onions or a touch of celery for an extra pop of flavor. But the heart of the dish always remains the same, creamy, tangy, and utterly comforting.
Whether you’re making it for a summer cookout, a quick lunch, or as part of a larger spread, Macaroni Salad delivers that perfect balance of simple ingredients and big flavor. It’s proof that sometimes, the simplest dishes are the ones that bring the most joy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni pasta cooked
- 1 cup mayonnaise use full-fat for best taste
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 medium carrot shredded
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Mix until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add the cooled macaroni, shredded carrot, and chopped onion to the bowl. Stir until everything is well combined and coated with the dressing.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition
I’m not sure about the sugar, it seems weird to add it to a salad?? But it tasted alright, I guess.
This salad is sooo good! I love the tangy flavor from the vinegar. I’ll be making this for my next BBQ!
Macaroni salad?! I thought we weren’t supposed to eat that much pasta! Too carby for me.
I get that, but sometimes it’s okay to indulge a little! Moderation is key, right?
Simple and delicious! The best part is that my kids actually ate their veggies. Will def make this again!
Macaroni salad? More like macaroni disaster. I added too much vinegar and ruined it. Never again!
Just ok for me. I was expectin more flavor. Maybe I didn’t add enough seasoning??? I probably won’t make again.
I don’t know, seems a bit too creamy for my taste. Maybe try a yogurt instead?
This is the best macaroni salad I’ve ever made! So creamy and tasty. Definitely a hit at my BBQ!
Sounds delicious! I’m gonna try this at my next BBQ too. Thanks for sharing!
I dunno man, I don’t think onions belong in macaroni salad. Just saying. 1 star.
Tastes good, but I think it needs more sugar. Like, who doesn’t love sweet?
More sugar? I don’t know about that. I think it’s just right as is, but to each their own!
I totally agree! A little extra sugar would make it even better! Yum!
This is the best macaroni salad ever! So creamy and tangy! I added some pineapple for an extra Hawaiian touch.
Eh… too mayo-heavy for my taste. I prefer a lighter dressing. 2/5
Okayish, I will try without the onions next time. Im not a fan. 🤷
Super quick to make! I will definitely make this again. 😋
This salad is a Hawaiian classic! I add pineapple chunks for extra sweetness. Yum!
I think the pineapple sounds like a fun twist! But isn’t it supposed to be more savory?
Yum! I love this salad, especially with pineapple! Can’t wait to try it!
Will try this but can’t believe you don’t add any pineapple!! Hawaiian should have pineapples! 🤷♂️
Pineapple in macaroni? That’s weird! I think this recipe is fine without it.
I totally agree! Pineapple adds a nice tropical twist! You should definitely try it that way next time!
Yum! Just finshed making it and it’s really good. I used Greek yogurt instead of mayo. 4 stars!
Greek yogurt instead of mayo? That sounds interesting! I might try that too!
Why do they call it Hawaiian? Never seen any pineapples in the recipe. 🤔
Big hit at our family gathering! I added some pineapple chunks for an extra kick.
Too much mayo for my taste. I think less is more! Also, the sugar is weird.
I added some crushed pineapple and it was amazing! Thanks for the base recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Pineapple sounds like a delicious twist. I’m definitely going to try that next time!
Love this! Perfect for potlucks! I always get compliments when I bring this dish.
This salad is so tasty! Made it for a picnic and it was a hit! 5 stars!
Glad to hear it was a hit! I love picnics and this salad sounds perfect for one! Can’t wait to try it myself.
I don’t know about this recipe… adding vinegar to mac salad seems weird. I’ll stick to my grandma’s recipe.
Why apple cider vinegar? Doesn’t it make it taste weird?
Apple cider vinegar adds a nice tang! Trust me, it’s not weird—it balances the richness of the mayo.
I dunno, I thought vinegar would just ruin the whole thing. I usually stick to just mayonnaise in my salad. 🤷♂️
I subbed sour cream for mayo and it turned out alright.
This recipe is so simple and easy! Great for potlucks. Thanks!
My 6 year old loves it. Very easy and quick recipe. Will definitely make again!
Hmmm, I’m not sure about using apple cider vinegar. Regular vinegar works fine too, right?
I followed the recipe exactly but it turned out bland. Maybe it needs more seasoning?
I don’t get why there’s sugar in it. Isn’t that a bit weird for a salad? Tried it anyway, and it wasn’t bad.
Not a fan. Required way more salt than I anticipated. Maybe a 1.5 out of 5.
I totally get it, some people just don’t salt their food enough! Next time, try adding salt gradually to your taste. It’s a really good dish otherwise!
I thought this was just a basic macaroni salad. The apple cider vinegar gave it a nice twist!
I totally agree! That vinegar really brings it to life! Love this recipe!
Had to drop the sugar, it was too sweet! But otherwise, not bad at all!
I’m not a fan of mayonnaise, so I didn’t like this recipe. Maybe I’ll try with Greek yogurt instead?
Just made it and my kids went crazy over it! Super easy to make, thanks!
I dunno, feel like it could be better with more spices. 🤔
That’s awesome to hear! Kids love this salad! 😄
I added pineapple chunks to mine – it was super good! Hawaiian style for sure!
Yum! But I think a little garlic would make it better.
Way too much mayo for my taste. I think 1/2 cup would be better. Will try again with less.
I followed the recipe but it turned out a bit bland. Maybe more vinegar or some spices would help?
I had the same issue the first time! Definitely try adding some garlic powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Those spices can really boost the flavor!
This salad was a huge hit at the BBQ! Everyone asked for the recipe. LOL, even the kids liked it!
This salad is sooo good! I made it for a picnic and everyone loved it!
Macaroni? More like macaroni no! This was a flop. My kids wouldn’t even eat it!!
I’m sorry to hear that! Sometimes kids can be picky eaters. Maybe try adding some cheese next time? It might help! 😅
Flop? Nah, just needs some tweaking. You can’t please everyone, but this salad is a classic! Try it again with some bacon bits! 🥓
Just ok. Needs something, maybe a special ingredient or more flavor.
I messed it up big time. Used too much mayo and now it’s a mess. Help!
Too much vinegar. I don’t know why you would add that, makes it taste weird. No thanks.
Hawaiian? I thought this was a normal mac salad. What’s with the name?
Super easy to make! I used lite mayo, and it still turned out great. Kids loved it!
I added pineapple bits to mine because I like a lil sweetness. It was amazing!
I didn’t have apple cider vinegar, used white vinegar instead, still tasted great!
That’s awesome! White vinegar can be a great substitute. I’ve done the same and loved it. 😄
Really? I thought apple cider was essential. I might try it with white vinegar but I dunno if it’d be good.
What’s wrong with this? I followed the recipe and it just came out bland. 🤔
Took this to a picnic and it was a big hit! Yum!
Glad to hear it was a hit! This salad is perfect for picnics.
This salad is a great side dish for BBQs! So creamy and delicious. Will make again!
This salad is the bomb! So creamy and flavorful. My family loved it, thank you!
Not sure why everyone thinks this is great. I thought it was just okay… too much mayo maybe?
So glad you loved it! It’s one of my favorites too. Perfect for summer BBQs! 🌞
Dude, this is not Hawaiian at all! Where’s the pineapple? Total miss.
Pineapple isn’t traditional in all Hawaiian recipes, dude! This version rocks! 🌊
Mmmmm I never tried mac salad before but I’m a fan now! Yum!
Welcome to the mac salad fan club! It’s super easy to make and tastes awesome.
I was skeptical about the sugar, but it really balanced everything out! Definitely making this again.
I’m glad to hear that! The sugar does make a difference, huh? I was surprised too when I tried it!
Yummy! I made it for a picnic, and everyone devoured it! Will definitely make again!
This ain’t Hawaiian! Real Hawaiian salad uses pineapple!!!
But Hawaiian salads are supposed to have fruit! Without pineapple, it ain’t Hawaiian at all!
I don’t think pineapple is necessary! This recipe sounds delish as is. Sometimes simple is better!
Too much mayo for my taste. I prefer a lighter version with yogurt instead. am I weird?
This recipe is a total win! So creamy and delicious, my family devoured it.
Tried to make it healthy and then it tasted weird. 🤷♂️
I didn’t have apple cider vinegar, so I used white vinegar instead. It turned out fine, but not as good as I hoped.
Easy and quick! I made it for a potluck and everyone asked for the recipe. Score!
Easy to make but I think I like another recipe better. Just my opinion.
Yum! This is just like my grandma used to make! Feels like home.
I don’t know, my grandma’s version had way more spices. This sounds kinda bland, tbh.
This recipe looks great! Can’t wait to try it and see if it really takes me back to my childhood. Thanks for sharing!
Easiest recipe ever! I just tossed everything in a bowl, haha!
Macaroni salad is like, my favorite dish ever!! Thank you for this recipe, it’s the best!
Um, isn’t macaroni salad just for summer picnics? Not sure if I wanna make it now…
I love macaroni salad too! This recipe sounds delicious. Can’t wait to try it! 😊
This is the best macaroni salad I’ve ever had! So creamy and the apple cider vinegar gives it a nice kick.
Totally agree! This salad is a game changer! The vinegar really makes it pop.
I was skeptical at first about the apple cider vinegar, but it really works! Who knew?