Description
This classic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad delivers a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet side dish that’s a staple in Hawaiian plate lunches. Made with tender elbow macaroni, a rich mayo-based dressing, crunchy vegetables, and a hint of apple cider vinegar, this easy-to-make salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Dressing
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped sweet onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until very tender. Drain well.
- Toss with vinegar: Transfer the hot macaroni to a large bowl. Immediately sprinkle the apple cider vinegar over the warm pasta and stir gently to incorporate. Let the macaroni cool for about 10 minutes.
- Prepare the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, whole milk, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Add vegetables: Stir the grated carrot, chopped celery, and sweet onion into the macaroni mixture.
- Combine salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to thicken.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the salad well to loosen it up if needed. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired for an extra pop of flavor and color.
Notes
- Authentic Hawaiian macaroni salad is very creamy, so avoid reducing the mayonnaise too much to maintain the classic texture.
- If the salad thickens excessively after chilling, loosen it by stirring in a tablespoon or two of milk before serving.
- You can prepare the salad up to a day in advance for convenience—just give it a good stir before serving.
