Easy Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad with Vegan Option

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This Hawaiian style macaroni salad is creamy, simple and made the way I like mac salad in Hawaiʻi — soft noodles, lots of mayonnaise and just a few basic seasonings.

In Hawaiʻi, mac salad is commonly served alongside rice and a main dish as part of a local-style plate lunch. It pairs especially well with chili, curry, stew, teriyaki-style dishes and other saucy meals.

This recipe also includes an easy vegan option using vegan mayonnaise.

Why Mac Salad Is So Good With Local-Style Meals

Hawaiian style macaroni salad is intentionally simple.

On its own, it may seem mild, but that’s part of what makes it work so well with rice and flavorful main dishes. The creamy mac salad balances salty, savory and saucy foods and helps bring the whole plate together.

Serve it with chili, curry, stew, teriyaki dishes or a local-style plate lunch.

Is Hawaiian Mac Salad Actually Hawaiian Food?

Not exactly.

Food that is popular in Hawaiʻi is not automatically considered traditional Hawaiian food.

Hawaiʻi’s local food culture developed from many different cultural influences, and dishes such as fried noodles, loco moco and mac salad are generally considered local food.

Traditional Hawaiian food refers to foods associated with Native Hawaiian cuisine, such as poi, laulau and pipi kaula.

In Hawaiʻi, this dish would usually just be called mac salad. I use the name “Hawaiian style macaroni salad” here because it helps people outside Hawaiʻi understand the style of recipe.

What Mayonnaise Is Best for Hawaiian Mac Salad?

For the flavor I associate with local-style mac salad in Hawaiʻi, I use Best Foods mayonnaise.

For the vegan version, I use Best Foods vegan mayonnaise. You can also use another vegan mayonnaise you like, but the flavor and texture may be slightly different.

Hawaiian Mac Salad Variations

There are many different versions of mac salad in Hawaiʻi.

Some include:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Potatoes
• Canned tuna
• Peas
• Celery
• Onion

I prefer mine very simple, so this recipe sticks to macaroni, carrot, mayonnaise and a few seasonings.

And yes — lots of mayo is part of the style!

How to Make Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 2 1/2 cups of Best Foods mayonnaise (or Best Foods vegan mayonnaise)
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/2-1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of water

Step 1: Cook the Macaroni

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions, but let it cook slightly past al dente.

For Hawaiian style mac salad, the noodles should be soft but not mushy.

Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water until completely cooled.

Step 2: Mix the Mac Salad

Add the cooled macaroni, mayonnaise, grated carrot, garlic powder, sugar, black pepper and water to a large bowl.

Stir until everything is well combined and the macaroni is evenly coated.

If the salad seems too dry, add a little more mayonnaise until it reaches the consistency you like.

Step 3: Chill Before Serving

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour before serving.

Give it a good stir before serving, and add a little more mayonnaise if needed since the pasta may absorb some of the dressing as it chills.

Serve cold and enjoy!

How Long Should Mac Salad Chill?

For the best flavor and texture, chill the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour before serving.

You can also make it ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Try these other recipes from Hawai’i!

• Easy Hawaiian Style Vegan Fried Rice
• Hawaiian Style “Poke” Edamame
• Hawaiian Style Vegetable Chow Mein
• Vegan Hawaiian Style Chili – Zippy’s Inspired

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