Easy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Introducing a Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with a tangy flavor and a touch of sweetness that’s 100% vegan and gluten-free. The creamy dressing clings to the perfectly cooked chickpea macaroni noodles delivering a balanced flavor that’s both bright and mellow. Forget about traditional macaroni salad! This is the perfect side dish for for all your summer cookouts!

When my family and I visited Maui back in 2007, finding a vegan restaurant felt like searching for a needle in a haystack—virtually impossible! I was eager to try Hawaii’s iconic macaroni salad, but I didn’t want any dairy, eggs, or meat in the mix. Fast forward to today, and I hear the Islands are now a haven for plant-based foodies, with plenty of vegan options available. Unfortunately, I don’t have a return trip planned anytime soon, so I decided a few years ago, I created a vegan version of that classic Hawaiian dish myself. It was only this week, I decided to photograph it and share.

Now I’ve learned through the process of creating this recipe, that Hawaiian mac salad isn’t considered just a side dish in Hawaii; it’s a feeling. And I think many of us can relate to that concept because we’ve felt that same way about many foods in our own lives.

The end result: my version of Hawaiian macaroni salad is always a big hit. People love this Hawaiian pasta salad because it uses simple ingredients, it’s unpretentious and it’s served chilled, so all the flavors have time to settle and come together. Let me show you how easy it is to make!

What’s In Hawaiian Macaroni Salad?

• ​Chickpea Macaroni – chickpea pasta is naturally gluten-free. You can also use your choice of dry elbow macaroni or brown rice elbow macaroni pasta (also gluten-free) for this recipe.
• Vegan Mayonnaise – I use either Follow Your Heart Vegenaise or the plant-based version of Best Foods Mayonnaise for this recipe. I love that either of these brands use NO HARD BOILED EGGS during processing.
• Oat Milk – while I prefer oat milk in all my vegan recipes, any plant milk will work.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – this is what gives this creamy macaroni salad it’s tang, so I don’t recommend omitting it.
• Brown Sugar – I use plant-based brown sugar in this recipe, but regular Vegan Cane Sugar will also work.
• Carrot – shredded carrots are one of the ingredients that make this mac salad unique.
• Yellow Onion – finely chopped onions are a must. I use yellow onions, but any color will work.
• Green Onion – chopped green onion adds a nice color contrast to the rest of the recipe. If you don’t have it, substitute with chopped parsley.
• Chopped Celery – gives the salad a nice big ol’ crunch.
• Sea Salt and Black Pepper – add basic salt and pepper at the end, to taste. Adjust per your taste preference.

How to Make Vegan Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook it longer than usual, about 2-3 minutes past al dente- until soft, but not crumbling apart the minute you stir it. Drain well and, while still warm, place  the pasta in a large bowl. 

2. While the pasta is still hot, sprinkle vinegar over it and toss to coat. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to absorb. 

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, plant milk, brown sugar, sea salt and black pepper until smooth. 

4. Add shredded carrot, grated onion, chopped celery and green onions to the macaroni. Pour dressing over everything and mix gently, but thoroughly to refresh it.

Tips for the Best Vegan Macaroni Salad Ever

• This salad is best served when freshly made, as the onion will develop a pungent taste within a few hours. However, it can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.  
• Use a generous amount of vegan mayonnaise. It should be very creamy, not dry.
• Grating the onion instead of chopping gives the salad a subtle onion flavor without harsh chunks

FAQ

What to Serve with this Recipe

• Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger
• Super Firm Vegan Black Bean Burger Recipe
• Grilled Carrot Dogs you can make 4 different ways.
• Nashville Hot Tofu Sandwich
• Chickpea Salad Sandwich Recipe

More Salad Recipes

Have you tried this? Why not leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and sign up for my newsletter!