Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, a traditional pasta salad I tried more than 20 years ago while I was in Hawaii. It’s traditionally served on a lunch plate with the bold flavors of BBQ. This subtle flavored Macaroni Salad Recipe is a favorite of our family.
Not expecting the subtle flavors I was pleasantly surprised and instantly fell in love with Hawaiian Macaroni Salad.
This recipe has been updated April 2019 and June 2021
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I was jokingly told it was an ‘Island Secret’, but of course, I knew better! Ono Hawaiian BBQ is an island favorite resturant and for good reason. Making such a delicious and favorite recipe requires the best ingredients. The Ono Macaroni Salad often called Hawaiian pasta salad is a side everyone loves.
Ingredient Roll Call! Ono Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Pasta – a traditional Elbow macaroni or noodle is commonly used. I love to use a Cellentani pasta which has more of a curly corkscrew shape.
- Carrots – Matchstick carrots are quick and easy but diced, shredded or grated carrots work perfectly.
- Mayonnaise – Using a quality name brand Mayo is best. Do not skimp on this ingredient. Best Foods or even the stronger bolder taste of Dukes Mayo is wonderful.
- Sugar – This recipe uses a little bit of sugar. I have been a fan of Dixie Sugar. It’s a fine white sugar and I love the subtle flavor it adds
- Vinegar – Apple Cider Vinegar is best. White vinegar can also be used in a pinch
- Milk – I use 2% milk but this could easily be made with 1% or even Almond Milk.
- Broth – When pressure cooking noodles use a broth (Chicken or vegetable broth). The noodles will be infused with extra flavor. It’s my secret Tip to a fantastic recipe!
- Adding green onions on top or even grated onions in the recipe is purely optional.
My love for this salad doesn’t end there, with more than 1,000,000+ reach, this recipe is a favorite Mac Salad for so many others too!
Authentic and oh so simple recipe, makes up this traditional Hawaiian Macaroni Salad.
The Must-Haves
- Large Pot: For boiling the macaroni until tender.
- Colander: To drain pasta quickly.
- Mixing Bowls: One for the pasta and another for whisking the dressing.
- Whisk or Fork: For blending the mayonnaise dressing.
- Spatula: To fold everything together gently.
- Storage Container: Airtight for marinating and chilling.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is NOT Deli Mac Salad
Don’t be fooled by the name, What makes this Hawaiian is the tradition behind the recipe. It’s a subtle mild flavor to balance the bold strong flavors of a Hawaiian BBQ Lunch Plate often filled with Teriyaki and BBQ Sauces. Paired together it’s delicious and wonderful.
The creamy dressing is both sweet and tangy and pairs beautifully with this traditional simple recipe. When eaten along it can seem bland. Choose the right Macaroni Salad for the meal being served. I also Love Deli Mac Salad and it’s a favorite recipe too.
Serve with your favorite Teriyaki recipe and create a mouthwatering meal commonly known as a Hawaiian Lunch Plate. I love making Huli Huli Chicken, a delicious marinade.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is simple with only a few ingredients. Macaroni Pasta, sliced carrots, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, milk and a little sugar.
You can also salt and Pepper this recipe to taste, but it won’t need much as the sweet and tangy dressing really does the trick.
Use a good brand of Mayo and you won't be disappointed. I prefer Best Foods or Hellmann's or even the bolder stronger flavor of Dukes Mayo.
Serves 6 | Perfect as a Side Dish | 6 Qt Instant Pot
Let's Make it! Mac Salad Hawaiian
- Pour water or broth in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and add macaroni making sure to spread the pasta evenly on bottom.
- Close lid and set to Manual (Pressure Cook) high for 4 minutes with a 4 minute Natural Release (NR) and then Quick Release (QR) the remaining pressure to cook the macaroni.
- Rinse pasta under cool water and drain
- Add slivered carrots and Apple Cider Vinegar to pasta and toss. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour.
- In a separate bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and milk. Whisk to combine.
- Pour over cooled pasta.
- Add garlic if desired
- Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate. Allow to marinate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Add additional 1-2 Tbs Milk if needed for desired consistency
- SEE FULL RECIPE CARD BELOW
Kitchen Secrets
A few key tricks to make note of. To ensure the delicious tangy taste given by the cider vinegar is important to toss the noodles in the cider vinegar while they are still hot.
Hot noodles will absorb the vinegar better than cooled noodles.
Another super important tip. Do not substitute the Mayonnaise for Miracle Whip. It's just not the same. Mayonnaise combined with the sugar will provide extra creaminess.
Instant Pot Mac Salad
Of course you can cook your pasta according the package directions to al dente but let me tell you, pasta made in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker is infused with extra flavor.
I love to cook pasta with a Chicken or Vegetable Broth.
The broth is absorbed as the pasta cooks and it’s a wonderful flavor addition to an already amazing recipe
The sweet and tangy dressing on Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is so simple that you will crave it.
The trick is a good Mayonnaise. Best Foods does a great job. Add your sugar, and milk to create the sauce.
This recipe also calls for an Apple Cider Vinegar, but here is a tip!
Toss the Apple Cider Vinegar onto the pasta while its still hot. That tangy goodness is absorbed right into the noodle. YUM!
I do not suggest running the pasta under cold water after it's been cooked. The warm pasta will absorb the apple cider vinegar and hold the flavors much better.
Flavor Fixes / Swap it Out!
If you’re out of apple cider vinegar, swap in white vinegar with a pinch of sugar. For a little island twist, try stirring in a spoonful of pineapple juice or a dash of sesame oil.
Want to make it heartier? Add diced ham or shredded chicken for a full meal in a bowl. You can even swap macaroni for another small pasta shape like shells — just keep that creamy dressing ratio the same.
Fridge & Freezer Magic
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. It’s best served cold or at room temperature. Avoid freezing, as the creamy dressing will separate once thawed.
If the salad thickens while chilling, stir in a splash of milk before serving to restore its silky texture.
Kitchen Q&A's for Ono's Hawaiian Mac
The trick with any Pasta Salad is to add the sauce right before serving OR reserve ½ cup of the dressing to add right before serving so it's creamy and delicious.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is a cold pasta salad with a sweet and tangy dressing, unlike a traditional pasta salad that can be heavy in salt. The Hawaiian Macaroni has subtle flavors and can be an acquired tasted.
YES! Of course you can. HOWEVER, Please keep in mind that each brand of Gluten Free noodles tends to cook different lengths of time.
It's important to note that using a good brand of Mayonnaise is important for the best results. I prefer to use Best Foods or Hellmann's.
Substituting Miracle Whip in this recipe will deliver poor results and is not suggested.
When cooking pasta in a Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot it does matter. The pasta will be infused with the flavor of the liquid.
I prefer to cook pasta with Chicken or vegetable broth as it gives the pasta such a great added flavor.
A Hawaiian Lunch Plate or Hawaiian plate lunch is a common term used for this traditional grouping of dishes. Standard plate lunches consist of two scoops of white rice, macaroni salad, and an entrée.
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Pair Hawaiian Mac Salad to make a Traditional Hawaiian Lunch Plate
A traditional Hawaiian Lunch Plate consists of a protein with 2 scoops of white rice and a scoop of Hawaiian Mac Salad. You might also like this Hawaiian Mac Salad with Spam too.
- Teriyaki Chicken Wings
- Easy Japanese Rice Bowl
- Huli Huli Chicken
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki
- Air Fryer Spam
- Teriyaki Vegetables
- BBQ Ribs
- Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
- Teriyaki Beef
More Amazing Pasta Side Dishes!
Hawaiian Mac Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz Macaroni Pasta
- 2 ½ Cups water or Broth
- 1 Carrot slivered - about ¼ cup
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tbs Milk
- 1 Tbs Sugar
- 1 teaspoon crushed garlic *optional
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Instant Pot Directions
- Pour water or broth in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and add macaroni making sure to spread the pasta evenly on bottom.
- Close lid and set to Manual (Pressure Cook) high for 4 minutes with a 4 minute Natural Release (NR) and then Quick Release (QR) the remaining pressure
- Rinse pasta under cool water and drain
- Add slivered carrots and Apple Cider Vinegar to pasta and toss. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour.
- In a separate bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and milk. Whisk to combine.
- Pour over cooled pasta.
- Add garlic if desired
- Toss to coat. Allow to marinate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Add additional 1-2 Tbs Milk if needed for desired consistency
- Stove Directions:
- Cook noodles according to package directions
- Rinse Pasta and drain. Add Carrot slivers and Apple Cider Vinegar and toss to coat. Place in refrigerator to cool for 1 hour
- In a separate bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and milk. Whisk to combine.
- Pour over cooled pasta.
- Add garlic if desired
- Toss to coat. Allow to marinate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Add additional 1-2 Tbs Milk if needed for desired consistency
- Serve Cold
Notes
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Nutrition
Elizabeth Moore
if doubling the recipe for the instant pot.....how long to cook?
Devour Dinner
Hi Elizabeth, you can double this recipe but the time for pressure cooking remains the same. There is no need to add additional time. Just double the ingredients.
Brian
Partner said “You nailed it”. Awesome recipe. Delicious.
I’m deleting all of the other Hawaiian Mac Salad recipes I’ve saved.
Cathi
This macaroni salad is so good, I added some celery and canned chicken breast, it was awesome
Devour Dinner
Hi Cathi!
I bet that was a fun meal. I love hearing all those additions. Thanks.
Devour Dinner
Hi Cathi, I bet this was a great meal with the added chicken!
Ju
On the stovetop cooking, can I still use chicken broth to cook the pasta??
Devour Dinner
Yes, you can always cook pasta using broth on the stove. It's delicious!
Lisa Furman
This really does pair well with so many proteins. I made it as a side to grilled steak. Delicious! It complimented the steak without overpowering it. I found my usual loaded mac salad can be too much for a bbq. An FYI goes great with hot dogs and hamburgers!
Juanita Webster
I just love making this Hawaiian macaroni salad ! I have made this before & my family really likes it ! I always have to make a double batch as my family goes back for seconds !
Laurie Rasor
Have A Good Day
Vanessa
I made this as directed using Hellmann's mayo, half the garlic (and no onions, because someone mentioned it should have had onions). I used vegetable broth for the liquid. I served it with spicy smoked pork chops and it was the perfect pairing just as she suggested. I had two very picky eaters who tried it and loved it. It will definitely be a keeper in our house.
Devour Dinner
Hi Vanessa! Thank you so much for your fantastic review! I'm so glad you loved it. I crave this simple recipe, especially when it's paired with bold BBQ flavors.
suzi
I am going to try this with gluten free pasta and add kidney beans so it has protein and more benefits and thus more filling . vegan mayo and almond milk at my place so really tweaking your recipe but have a feeling it will be delish! thanks for the recipe!!
Devour Dinner
Hi Suzi! I would love to know how it turned out! Gluten-Free noodles typically need additional time cooking but I'm sure you know that. Adding beans would be nice also. Hope it was great!
randy brown
here I've been making mac salad for a long time and didn't know it was Hawaiian
Devour Dinner
Hawaiian Mac is one of my favorites. It has a mild tangy flavor. Traditionally this recipe is served with the bold flavors of a Hawaiian BBQ and will compliment the meal and give a great balance. The flavors are subtle and so good
Kristi Grice
Very tasty! Funny though I expected something different from the title.. this is just like macaroni salad I grew up on in the south ( NC) you could find this at most buffets and many cookouts there! Since moving across the country to eastern WA last fall this was a delightful taste of home for me, so thank you!!
Devour Dinner
Hi Kristi, Many wonder why it's called "Hawaiian" where it doesn't have pineapple. In Hawaii this macaroni salad is served with the bold flavors of a Hawaiian BBQ. The mild tangy Macaroni Salad gives great balance to the meal and is a favorite for many meals.
Amy Ries
This recipe is making me miss Hawaii!!!
Devour Dinner
Awww! I'm sorry Amy! I fell in LOVE with this recipe while in Hawaii! Oh I LOVE it!
Momma
How's this Hawaiian???? Not an Hawaiian ingredient in the list......
Devour Dinner
Hi! Great Question. Let me explain. This is a traditional Hawaiian Recipe served on a Lunch Plate in Hawaii. The Macaroni Salad is traditionally served with Sticky Rice and an entree (Hawaiian BBQ) which has bold flavors. The Mild Tangy and Sweet Dressing of the Macaroni Salad is a perfect balance to complete the meal. It's common to add bits of Spam to this recipe and some like to add ham bits of pineapple.
Valentina
Can you double or triple the type of pasta? If so just ratio out the liquid?
Devour Dinner
You can double without any problem. Tripple would cause a problem on not having enough room inside your pot. But you can definately double. Double both pasta and liquid!