Hawaiian Mac Salad is a staple on a Hawaiian plate lunch. This classic side dish features elbow macaroni smothered in a mayonnaise dressing with grated carrot and onion. It's the perfect tangy and creamy counterpart to any meal.
1 ¼cupsBest Foods or Hellman’s mayonnaise(I use Light Hellman's—same great taste, less calories!)
2tablespoonsmilk
1teaspoonsugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni according to package directions (see notes). Drain and transfer to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the apple cider vinegar over the top, add the carrot and onion, stir, and let it cool slightly, about 10 to 15 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, and sugar. Stir the mayonnaise mixture into the macaroni, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Gently stir before serving, and if needed thin it out with a teaspoon or two of milk or a little more mayo.
Notes
The locals tend to overcook the pasta until it’s soft and fat. I prefer to cook until tender but not really overcooked. This is a matter of personal preference.
You absolutely must use Best Foods or Hellman's brand mayonnaise for the dressing. These are the only brands of mayo that are traditionally used in this dish. They are technically the same brand, but have different names depending on the US region where you purchase them.
The serving size for this recipe is based on an ice cream scoop of salad per plate. You can even halve the quantity in the recipe, and it is still plentiful. If you desire more macaroni per person, make the full recipe, or even double it for a party or potluck.
You can include this fantastically simple Hawaiian mac salad on a classic plate lunch. This terminology refers to a plated meal consisting of a serving of protein, steamed rice, and mayo-based salad. Make your own classic Hawaiian plate lunch by pairing this easy Hawaiian mac salad with another standby: Loco Moco.