Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (L&L BBQ Copycat)

By Amy Dong
Updated Jul. 16, 2024

This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is a magnificent side dish for all the cookouts and picnics. It’s the perfect mac salad that can be made completely ahead of time!

Close-up of a white dish filled with creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad garnished with chopped parsley. — If you’re on the fence about macaroni salad, give this super easy recipe a try for your next cookout or picnic.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Here’s why you’ll love it:

Simple Ingredients: This Hawaiian macaroni salad requires only a handful of ingredients that are easy to find.
Flavor Packed: This mac salad is ridiculously flavorful! It brings all the island vibes to your plate, like this Maui Chicken Tacos.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better when the flavors are allowed to meld together overnight. It’s the ideal make-ahead party recipe!
Perfectly Creamy: Using real mayo makes it unbelievably creamy and delicious, like our Rotisserie Chicken Salad!
Pairs Perfectly with BBQ: This macaroni salad is the ultimate side dish for all your favorite BBQ recipes, like this Grilled Teriyaki Chicken.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Overhead shot of a bowl with ingredients to make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad.

Elbow Macaroni – Elbow macaroni as they’re the perfect shape to hold the delicious dressing.
Whole Mayo – We’re using real, whole mayo for its creaminess. It’s the star of our dressing, giving the salad its rich, velvety texture.
Onion and Green Onion – Make sure to finely mince the onion and thinly slice the green onion.
Shredded Carrots – We add these for a pop of color and a hint of sweetness. They also add a nice crunch.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS

Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:

Different Pasta: Our recipe calls for elbow macaroni, but feel free to use any small pasta shape for this salad.
More Veggies: Customize it by adding other veggies. Red or yellow bell peppers can add a nice crunch and color, as they do in our Mexican Street Corn Salad.

STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

Boil macaroni until tender. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and drain well.
Combine all remaining ingredients with cold, cooked macaroni and toss well. Chill for 2-3 hours before serving.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

HOW TO PREP AHEAD

Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:

Entirely Make-Ahead: This salad can be a day in advance. Simply follow the recipe, toss all the ingredients together, and store it in the fridge. Give it a good toss before serving.
Prep the Ingredients: You can also prep the ingredients in advance. Cook and cool the macaroni, mince the onion, and shred the carrots. Store these separately in the fridge and combine when ready to serve.

A white plate filled with creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad topped with chopped fresh parsley. — This creamy, easy macaroni salad is superb alongside your favorite BBQ meats and veggies!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Appetizer

If you’re firing up the grill, these 4-Ingredient Crock Pot Buffalo Meatballs are unbelievably easy and can be prepared ahead of time so they won’t crowd up your grill space.

Main Dish

No need to choose between beef or chicken, with these two delicious options. This Hawaiian BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe can be marinated ahead of time (up to 2 days ahead) and is budget-friendly.
Our 30-Minute Steak Teriyaki is another simple and quick option that boasts huge flavors.

Drinks

You’ll love this make-ahead Hawaiian Mai Tai for the adults.
Kids adore this 4-Ingredient Orange Julius Recipe that takes only 5 minutes to prep and can be chilled until ready to serve (older kids can easily make these on their own).

Dessert

This easy One Bowl Yum-Yum Cake is ultra moist and fits the tropical theme. It’s shocking how tender and tasty this cake is, given that it needs no oil or butter.
Feel free to find your favorite sweet treat to serve up (or ask someone else to bring it!).

Commonly Asked Questions

Why do you rinse the macaroni with cold water?

Rinsing the macaroni with cold water after cooking helps to stop the cooking process and removes excess starch.

What type of onion is best for Hawaiian macaroni salad?

It’s best to use a sweet onion. The mild and sweet flavor of the onion complements the other ingredients without being too overpowering. You can also use a regular yellow onion if you prefer.

Can I use any type of mayonnaise?

While you can technically use any type of mayonnaise, we recommend using real, whole mayo for the best flavor and texture. It will give your salad that classic creamy and tangy flavor that makes it so delicious.

How long does Hawaiian macaroni salad keep?

Hawaiian macaroni salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure it is stored in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and flavors.

Did you make this?

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