Best 8 Basic Hawaii Mac Salad Recipes

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Hawaiian Mac Salad, a delectable dish that embodies the spirit of the islands, is a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that tantalizes the taste buds. This classic side dish has become an integral part of Hawaiian cuisine, served at gatherings, potlucks, and luaus, where it adds a vibrant splash of color and a burst of refreshing flavor to the table. With its creamy mayonnaise dressing, al dente macaroni, and an array of crisp vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and red onion, Hawaiian Mac Salad offers a delightful textural experience in every bite. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this comprehensive guide will lead you through the steps of creating the perfect Hawaiian Mac Salad, ensuring a successful culinary adventure that will transport you to the heart of the Aloha State.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MACARONI SALAD FROM L&L HAWAIIAN BBQ



Macaroni Salad from L&L Hawaiian BBQ image

This simple macaroni salad recipe is served at the L&L Hawaiian BBQ chain. This recipe is from their cookbook by Eddie Flores, Jr.

Provided by Andtototoo

Categories     Low Protein

Time 27m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 gallon water
1 lb elbow macaroni (dried)
1/2 cup onion (diced)
1/2 cup carrot (shredded)
3 cups mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

  • Bring water to a boil in a large pot or dutch oven.
  • Add the dried elbow pasta and boil for 12 minutes or until cooked.
  • Drain water and cool the pasta thoroughly.
  • Combine all remaining ingredients and chill for at least 1 hour.
  • [Notes: I always add salt to the pot of water so that the pasta is well seasoned. The onion in the macaroni salad at L & L Hawaiian BBQ is very small, more like minced. After dicing your onion, be sure and rinse it in cold running water to remove any bitterness. I never measure out the mayonnaise, just add enough until I am satisfied. The cookbook recommends using Best Foods or Hellman's mayonnaise. I often add 2-3 Tablespoons of milk right before serving to make sure that the pasta is moist enough. The original recipe adds one small can of oil based tuna (drained), but I haven't seen it added to the salad when I have ordered it. Some reviewers are commenting that the recipe is too salty and that the salt should be reduced, so please keep that in mind. I think that I just add to taste, but the 2 teaspoons is what is in the original recipe in the cookbook.].
  • UPDATE May 2014: I checked with my local L&L Hawaiian BBQ and they do NOT put tuna in their macaroni salad, it is totally vegetarian.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 750.5, Fat 40.4, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 30.6, Sodium 1632.5, Carbohydrate 87.2, Fiber 3, Sugar 10.6, Protein 11.2

BASIC HAWAII MAC SALAD



Basic Hawaii Mac Salad image

Got this from http://kaukautime.blogspot.com/2011/04/basic-hawaiian-macaroni-salad.html Great simple Hawaiian style mac salad.......

Provided by taz4477

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 45m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb elbow macaroni
1/4 cup carrot, finely chopped
1/4 cup onion, very finely minced
1/2 cup Best Foods Mayonnaise
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar (to taste)
salt
fresh cracked black pepper
paprika (optional)
1 tablespoon vinegar (or more) (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. Prepare macaroni according to instructions on box. Afterwards, rinse with cold water and drain again. Let cool for about 10-15 minutes. The pasta: Cook 1 pound elbow macaroni (for really local Hawaiian style, cook until soft and fat, but you can go al dente if you prefer).
  • 2. Add finely chopped Carrot and mix well. Add finely chopped onions and mix well. The flavoring: Stir in ¼ cup very finely grated onion. Not minced, chopped or sliced-grated. It should be liquidy (this is how they do it at Diner's, a local eatery in Kalihi).
  • 3. Combine mayonnaise and milk. mix well, then add to macaroni. Add salt, pepper and paprika to taste. The mayo: At least 2½ cups for real local style. But there are no rules, so use less if you like. Or more.
  • 4. Taste test the mayo and milk combo. Add more mayo or milk to suit your tastes. Salt and pepper, to taste. Stir well; refrigerate.
  • 5. Chill before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 188.9, Fat 4, SaturatedFat 0.7, Cholesterol 3.3, Sodium 76.4, Carbohydrate 32.6, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 3, Protein 5.3

HAWAIIAN MACARONI SALAD



Hawaiian Macaroni Salad image

Mac Salad (also called Macaroni Salad or Hawaiian Macaroni Salad) is a popular side dish in Hawaii. This is a classic version that is easy to make with pantry staples. It is onolicious and endlessly adaptable. Enjoy it as a side dish or part of a plate lunch!

Provided by Kathy YL Chan

Categories     Hawaii Recipes

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/4 pound dried elbow macaroni pasta
1/2 cup Best Foods mayonnaise
1/4 cup onion, grated
1/4 cup carrots, shredded
1/4 cup celery, finely diced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the elbow macaroni pasta for 1-2 minutes more than the cook time listed on the package. Drain and set aside.
  • Place the elbow macaroni in a bowl and mix in the mayonnaise, grated onions, shredded carrots, finely diced celery, salt, and pepper.
  • Refrigerate the dish at least an hour - this allows the flavors to mix. Serve slightly chilled (remove from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving) as a side dish. Enjoy!

HAWAIIAN MACARONI SALAD



Hawaiian Macaroni Salad image

This Hawaiian macaroni salad's creamy mayonnaise-based dressing coats elbow pasta, carrots, onions, and celery for a comforting summery side dish.

Categories     Fourth of July     Summer     salad     side dish

Time 50m

Yield 6-8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 oz. elbow macaroni
1 1/4 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. whole milk
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 large carrot, shredded
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/3 c. chopped green onion, plus more for serving
1/4 c. grated yellow onion

Steps:

  • Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Set aside.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the macaroni, carrot, celery, green onions, and grated onion. Gently stir the mixture until well combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Gently stir, and top with more green onion, if you like.

HAWAIIAN MACARONI SALAD



Hawaiian Macaroni Salad image

Simple and tasty macaroni salad just like you'd get at a Hawaiian restaurant. No fruit in this salad, just macaroni, carrot, and dressing. Very yummy and easy to make.

Provided by Jessica Daulton

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 2h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 5

6 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups mayonnaise, or more to taste
½ cup milk
½ cup shredded carrot
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Combine the macaroni, mayonnaise, milk, and carrot in a large bowl; mix until macaroni is well coated. Add more mayonnaise for a wetter consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 465 calories, Carbohydrate 41.3 g, Cholesterol 14.7 mg, Fat 30.1 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 7.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 231.7 mg, Sugar 2.5 g

MAC SALAD



Mac Salad image

Hawaii's mac salad is not the summer standard of cookouts on the mainland (what locals call the rest of the United States). The pasta is cooked past al dente, until swoony and soft all the way through. In this version from the chef Mark Noguchi, Gooch to friends, there's a little punch-up of Tabasco and trace sweetness, like a sidelong glance, from grated carrots and a grace note of sugar. The marquee ingredient, of course, is mayonnaise. ''Just so you know, you'll be using a lot of mayo,'' Gooch warns. ''Obscene, guarantee-going-to-make-you-raise-your-eyebrow kine of lot." Yet somehow what you end up with is richness without weight, leavened by tang and salt. In Hawaii, a scoop would be served with a plate lunch, alongside rice and a main dish, like chicken katsu.

Provided by Ligaya Mishan

Categories     pastas, salads and dressings, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound russet potatoes or 1/2 pound russet potatoes and 1/2 pound taro (see Tip)
Salt
4 large eggs
1 pound macaroni
1 carrot, peeled and grated through the large holes of a box grater
3 cups mayonnaise
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Hot sauce, such as Tabasco, to taste

Steps:

  • If using taro, put on kitchen gloves and wash the taro. Bring 1 to 2 inches of water to a boil in a pot with a steamer insert, then put the taro in the insert and cover tightly with a lid. Steam until tender, about 3 hours. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Use a paring knife to remove the skin, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
  • Fill a large saucepan with water and add a generous pinch of salt, so the water tastes like the ocean. Scrub the potatoes, then add to the saucepan - there should be just enough water to cover - and bring up to a simmer over medium-high heat. (Don't go for a roiling boil because you want to keep the potatoes intact.) Simmer until a paring knife inserted in the center goes in and out smoothly, 20 to 40 minutes. The potatoes should look barely translucent and have small cracks and a slightly crumbly texture on the surface. Drain carefully and turn out onto a sheet pan. When cool, peel and cut into 1-inch cubes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the eggs and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice and water. Replenish the boiling water, if needed, and add the macaroni. Cook until softened all the way through, at least 2 minutes past al dente. Drain well and immediately run under cold water to stop the cooking.
  • When the noodles are cool, drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Peel the eggs and grate them on the large holes of a box grater. Add them to the bowl, along with the potatoes, taro (if using), carrot, mayonnaise, garlic salt, sugar, black pepper, apple cider vinegar and hot sauce. Mix well with a spoon and adjust the seasonings to taste. Eat immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

HAWAIIAN MACARONI SALAD



Hawaiian Macaroni Salad image

I had to figure out how to make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad at home because my husband was getting tired of ordering enough for our whole family from a local restaurant. Sometimes I use green onions and serve the salad with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. -Blaine Kahle, Florence, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 large carrot, grated
1 celery rib, finely chopped, optional
2 tablespoons grated onion
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Chopped green onions, optional

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely., For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk next 9 ingredients. Add pasta to a large serving bowl. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. If desired, garnish with green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 464 calories, Fat 33g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 353mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

HAWAIIAN MAC SALAD RECIPE BY TASTY



Hawaiian Mac Salad Recipe by Tasty image

Buttery shrimp with a creamy mac salad is a match guaranteed to make your taste buds water. Cook your shrimp in a bed of foaming butter until they're pink and opaque, then sauté your garlic for no more than a minute for the best homemade garlic butter you'll ever taste! You can also quickly make this garlic butter as the perfect topper to any meal!

Provided by Nichi Hoskins

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

½ lb elbow macaroni, cooked according to package instructions until past al dente
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
½ cup whole milk, plus more as needed
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup mayonnaise, divided
¼ cup white onion, grated
1 cup carrot, grated
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
2 scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Drain the macaroni and transfer to a large bowl. While the pasta is still hot, mix in the apple cider vinegar and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ cup (120 ml) of milk, the sugar, and ½ cup (120 G) of mayonnaise.
  • Toss the mayonnaise mixture with the slightly warm macaroni until well coated. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 4 hours, until fully cooled.
  • To the cooled macaroni, add the remaining ½ cup (120 G) of mayonnaise, the onion, and carrots. If the pasta appears a bit dry, add up to ¼ cup (60 ml) more milk. Season with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt and the pepper.
  • Garnish with the scallions before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 671 calories, Carbohydrate 55 grams, Fat 45 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 9 grams, Sugar 12 grams

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your macaroni salad.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. This means that it should be cooked until it is tender, but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Let the macaroni cool before adding the other ingredients. This will help to prevent the salad from becoming mushy.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. This will add flavor and texture to the salad.
  • Use a good quality mayonnaise. This will also make a big difference in the flavor of the salad.
  • Season the salad to taste. This means adding salt, pepper, and any other spices that you like.
  • Chill the salad before serving. This will help to improve the flavor and texture of the salad.

Conclusion:

Hawaiian macaroni salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its unique blend of flavors and textures, Hawaiian macaroni salad is a surefire hit with everyone who tries it.

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