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Zippy's macaroni salad recipe in a bowl

Zippy's Mac Salad Recipe: Fourth of July Picnic Essential

Try Zippy's mac salad recipe, perfect for your Fourth of July picnic or barbecue celebration! Impress your guests with this delightful addition to your spread.
5 from 27 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 4 people
Calories 685 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Plastic wrap

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups Elbow macaroni
  • 1 medium-sized Carrot grated
  • 1 small-sized Onion finely chopped
  • 1 stalk Celery finely chopped
  • 1 small-sized Green bell pepper finely chopped
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp. Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. Granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp. Yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • ½ tsp. Black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool completely.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated carrots, chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Mix well to distribute the vegetables evenly.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  • Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl of vegetables and pour the dressing over the top.
  • Gently toss everything together until the macaroni and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. This chilling time is crucial for the mac salad to reach its full potential.
  • Before serving, give the mac salad a final toss to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or pepper according to your preference.
  • Serve chilled.

Video

Notes

  • Cook the macaroni al dente — Be sure not to overcook the macaroni, as it will continue to soften slightly as it chills in the dressing. Cooking it al dente ensures a perfect texture in the final mac salad.
 
  • Let the macaroni cool completely — Cooling the macaroni before mixing it with the dressing prevents the mayonnaise from melting and becoming greasy. It also allows the flavors to meld together more effectively.
 
  • Adjust the dressing to your taste — Feel free to adjust the amount of mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper in the dressing to suit your personal preferences. Taste as you go and add more of any ingredient as needed.
 
  • Refrigerate for at least one hour — The chilling time is crucial for the flavors to develop and for the mac salad to reach its full potential. Don't skip this step if you want to experience the true essence of Zippy's mac salad.
 
  • Serve alongside your favorite Hawaiian dishes — Zippy's mac salad pairs perfectly with other Hawaiian favorites like Kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, or grilled mahi-mahi. It's the ideal side dish for a tropical feast.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Zippy's Mac Salad Recipe: Fourth of July Picnic Essential
Amount per Serving
Calories
685
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
43
g
66
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Trans Fat
 
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
26
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Cholesterol
 
24
mg
8
%
Sodium
 
899
mg
39
%
Potassium
 
354
mg
10
%
Carbohydrates
 
63
g
21
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
9
g
10
%
Protein
 
11
g
22
%
Vitamin A
 
2746
IU
55
%
Vitamin C
 
27
mg
33
%
Calcium
 
43
mg
4
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Classic Hawaiian macaroni salad, Creamy macaroni salad, Zippy's mac salad recipe
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