Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Yesss 🤍 Hawaiian macaroni salad—creamy, slightly sweet, and essential next to anything BBQ or teriyaki.

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Ingredients

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups mayonnaise (Best Foods / Hellmann’s = authentic vibe)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Mix-ins (finely chopped):

• ½ cup carrots (grated)
• ¼ cup onion
• Optional: ¼ cup celery

Instructions

1. Overcook the pasta (on purpose)
   Cook macaroni 1–2 minutes past al dente. Drain well.
2. Season while hot
   Stir hot pasta with apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar. Let it soak in 5 minutes.
3. Make it creamy
   Mix mayo and milk until smooth. Fold into pasta.
4. Add veggies
   Stir in carrots, onion (and celery if using).
5. Chill
   Refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is even better).

Authentic Tips

• 🌺 Slightly soupy at first is correct—it thickens as it chills
• 🥕 Veggies should be very fine, almost disappearing
• 🍍 Not traditional, but a spoon of pineapple juice adds subtle sweetness
• 🥄 Stir before serving; add a splash of milk if needed

Serve With

• Teriyaki chicken
• Kalua pork
• Spam, rice, and anything grilled

Want a plate-lunch style version, less mayo, or one with tuna or Spam folded in?