Hawaiian Bros Macaroni Salad Recipe: Taste of Paradise

A fairly easy recipe to make, this one is as authentic as it gets if you want to feel that you are in Hawaii. The ingredients are mostly pantry staples, the prep time is nothing serious, and the flavor is simply addictive. That’s our Hawaiian Bros macaroni salad copycat recipe for you. Also, there is more than one variation that you could try out.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Pro Tips
• Hawaiian Bros Macaroni Salad Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• Macaroni — 1 pound (16 ounces)
• Mayonnaise — 3 cups
• Onion — ¼ cup, shredded
• Carrot — 2 ½ cups, shredded
• Vinegar — 2 tbsp.
• Sugar — 2 tsp. 
• Salt and pepper — to taste
• Milk — ⅓ cup

Instructions

1. Cook the macaroni according to the instructions.

2. Drain and transfer the macaroni to a bowl.

3. Add vinegar, carrot, and onion. Stir well.

4. Let it cool for 15-20 minutes.

5. Add sugar, mayonnaise, and milk to another bowl. Mix well.

6. Add the mayonnaise mixture on top of the macaroni. Toss to coat.

7. Add salt and pepper as needed.

8. Cover the bowl and transfer it to your fridge for several hours, although overnight would be the ideal situation.

Substitutions

• Mayonnaise — The original Hawaiian Bros macaroni salad recipe calls for mayonnaise, and you get a creamy and smooth texture, with a rich flavor. However, there are some alternatives available, if you wish.
  
  Greek yogurt makes a fine substitution for mayonnaise, or you could also go with heavy cream, though it would certainly be a niche choice. Heavy cream would alter your salad heavily, with a much thicker consistency and some increased creaminess.
  
  If you’re looking for even more niche alternatives, maybe you should consider hummus and tofu. The two are especially great if you prefer a vegan alternative, though we should also mention that your Hawaiian Bros mac salad will definitely lack the original’s texture and flavor.

• Vinegar — Vinegar, more specifically apple cider vinegar is one of the key Hawaiian Bros macaroni salad ingredients. Vinegar comes in handy in balancing the taste of mayonnaise and adding some much-needed acidity, all the while providing a deep layer of flavor.
  
  Just like the original one, apple cider vinegar would suit this Hawaiian Bros macaroni salad copycat recipe the best. Rice vinegar, for example, is mild and you can be sure that it won’t overpower your Hawaiian mac salad. Another alternative would be white wine vinegar, though it’s fairly strong and should be used sparingly.

• Milk — Milk will thin out the mayonnaise and provide a mild, but cool flavor to your mac salad, not to mention that it mixes fairly easily with the noodles. If the salad ends up too fatty, you might be better off with lighter options like 2% milk. And you could also opt for non-dairy options as well, with almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk being fine alternatives.

Variations

• Hawaiian coleslaw — Coleslaw is probably one of the, if not the, best things you could have with a meaty meal. Luckily, our Hawaiian Bros macaroni salad copycat recipe could easily be turned into a Hawaiian coleslaw salad. Cabbage, chopped onion, and cilantro would make fine additions, and while we are at it, you might also want to go ahead and replace granulated sugar with dark brown sugar.

• Poke salad — As great as the original Hawaiian Bros macaroni salad recipe is, we have to admit that it might not be meaty enough for some. That’s what this poke salad version offers. The miracle happens with tuna, or maybe with salmon. Of course, poke salad is at its best when served with steamed rice or with some leafy greens.

• Tropical Hawaiian salad — For the easiest version to make, you will need some tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, or papaya.

Equipment

• Measuring spoons and cups

• 2 mixing bowls

• Large pot

Storage

• Transfer the leftover mac salad into an airtight container.

• Store your Hawaiian Bros macaroni salad in your fridge, where it will last for 4-5 days.

• If you’d like to freeze your leftover salad, it will last for up to three months.

Pro Tips

• The macaroni — While cooking the noodles, keep in mind that they will keep cooking even while you set them aside to cool. This means you’d be better off cooking them al dente. If it’s too late, give the noodles a good, clean rinse to stop them from cooking.

• The mayonnaise — Mayonnaise is the base for your salad dressing, and you should hold it in high value. Choose a good quality one, the best one you can buy.