Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad! – VIDEO

Ingredients for an Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad) is known to be simple and no frills – it’s only a handful of ingredients that you already have in your pantry.

• elbow macaroni – to be an authentic Hawaiian Macaroni salad, it must be elow macaroni. If you don’t have it on hand, it is totally okay to use a different shape.
• apple cider vinegar
• Best Foods or Hellmann’s Mayo – Mayo is a key ingredient in this recipe and not just any brand. To be an authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, it must be either Best Foods or Hellmann’s – no exception! Longtime readers know how much I love Kewpie Mayo but this is one of the only times where I will use another brand.
• onion – finely grated
• carrot – shredded
• scallions – chopped
• canned tuna 
• eggs – hard boiled
• white pepper
• freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• kosher salt, to taste

What Else Can I Put In My Hawaiian Macaroni Salad?

The beauty of Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad) is that you can customize it to your liking! You can add more options to change the texture or include your favorite fillings.

For example, if you want to add more protein or make this a heartier side, you can add more hard boiled eggs, and/or tuna. I’ve even had it with imitation crab!

If you want to add more vegetables, I would add in finely chopped cabbage, diced boiled potatoes, peas, or corn.

2. Toss the Drained Pasta

Once the pasta is drained, add the apple cider vinegar and give it a toss. The vinegar will absorb into the pasta and give it a slight tang to balance out the mayo dressing!

3. Mix the fillings and dressing

In a large bowl, add 2 cups of Best Foods Mayo, onion, carrot, scallions, canned tuna, chopped hard boiled eggs, black and white pepper, and salt. The hard boiled eggs and tuna are optional, ensure you mix the macaroni salad thoroughly.

4. Cover and Chill

Once the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad) is thoroughly mixed, cover it with plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Mix in the reserved 1/2 cup of mayo just before serving your Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad)!

Storage Instructions

I like to make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad) on the day I plan to eat it.

However, if you want to make it ahead, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad) can keep in your refrigerator in an airtight container for 1-2 days. Once you are ready to eat or serve it, I recommend using extra mayo to ‘refresh’ the salad. It will likely dry up a little bit, sitting in the refrigerator, so I like to add in more mayo to get it back to the consistency I like. Use as much or as little mayo as you need to get your Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad) to the consistency of your preference.

What to Serve with Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

There’s nothing that goes better with Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad) than a Hawaiian plate lunch – Chicken Katsu and Katsu Sauce with a side of white rice. In Maui, there’s one spot I like where I order Mochiko Chicken or Chicken Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) with my Hawaiian Macaroni Salad.

However, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad isn’t just for Hawaiian meals – this is the perfect side dish for your summer barbeques and family get-togethers! This would be a perfect side dish to my Korean Marinated Short Ribs (LA Galbi) or Easy Fried Chicken recipes.

If you tried this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Mac Salad) or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!