This authentic Hawaiian macaroni salad recipe brings the taste of the islands right to your kitchen! It's super creamy, packed with tangy flavor, and just like the kind of macaroni salad you'd find alongside a delicious lunch plate in Hawaii. If you're looking for a creamy mac salad recipe that truly captures the essence of aloha, you've found it.
Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, a potluck, or just craving a taste of the tropics, this Hawaiian-style macaroni salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It's an essential side dish that perfectly complements grilled meats, kalua pork, and other Hawaiian-inspired fare. This makes it an ideal easy side dish for summer gatherings.
Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy-to-make, incredibly delicious creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it a truly unforgettable addition to any meal
Ingredients for Hawaiian Mac Salad
How to Make Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Cook the Macaroni to Perfection: Boil the 8 ounces of elbow macaroni noodles according to the package directions, then add an extra 2 minutes to the cook time for a softer texture. This extra time helps achieve that classic creamy mac salad consistency.
Prepare the Fresh Veggies: While the pasta cooks, coarsely shred ½ cup of carrot and ½ an onion into a large mixing bowl. These fresh additions are key to an authentic Hawaiian mac salad.
Combine & Marinate for Flavor: Once the pasta is well cooked, drain it thoroughly and add it to the bowl with the shredded veggies. Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar over the pasta and vegetables. Mix everything well, cover the bowl, and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and the pasta absorb some of that tangy goodness.
Whip Up the Signature Dressing: While the noodles are sitting, prepare the dressing. In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix together 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1 ½ teaspoons of brown sugar, ¼ cup of milk, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder (if using), and salt and pepper to taste. This is the secret to a truly creamy and delicious macaroni salad.
Dress and Season to Taste: After the noodles have marinated for at least 15 minutes, pour the prepared dressing over them. Mix well until the macaroni and vegetables are evenly coated. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and vinegar to your liking.
Chill for Best Flavor: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time is crucial for the flavors to fully develop and for the salad to achieve its signature texture.
Garnish and Serve: Before serving, give the salad a good stir. If desired, garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh touch.
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10 servings
1 serving
- Amount per serving
- Calories200
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12g16%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Monounsaturated Fat 8g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 5mg2%
- Sodium 300mg14%
- Total Carbohydrate 23g9%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Total Sugars 3g
- Includes 1g Added Sugars2%
- Protein 3g
- Vitamin A 8mcg1%
- Vitamin C 4mg5%
- Calcium 30mg3%
- Iron 1mg6%
- Potassium 200mg5%
- Vitamin D 0mcg0%
- Vitamin E 0mg0%
- Vitamin K 0mcg0%
- Thiamin 0mg0%
- Riboflavin 0mg0%
- Niacin 0mg0%
- Vitamin B6 0mg0%
- Folate 0mcg0%
- Vitamin B12 0mg0%
- Biotin 0mcg0%
- Pantothenic Acid 0mg0%
- Phosphorus 0mg0%
- Iodine 0mcg0%
- Magnesium 0mg0%
- Zinc 0mg0%
- Selenium 0mcg0%
- Copper 0mg0%
- Manganese 0mg0%
- Chromium 0mcg0%
- Molybdenum 0mcg0%
- Chloride 0mg0%
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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