If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, chances are you’ve heard of the iconic Rainbow Drive-In mac salad. This creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet side dish is a staple of the islands and a must-have alongside favorites like loco moco, Kalua pork, or shoyu chicken.
I first fell in love with this dish in my late teens and early twenties. For a few years, it was my go-to side, and no meal felt complete without a generous scoop of it on my plate. There’s just something about the simplicity and flavor of this salad that keeps you coming back.
Today, we’re recreating an authentic, no-frills Hawaiian mac salad-just the way Rainbow Drive-In would serve it. It’s easy to make, uses basic ingredients, and tastes even better after chilling overnight.
My Personal Experience With This Rainbow Drive-In Mac Salad Recipe
This mac salad is all about balance. The dressing is creamy from Best Foods mayo, lightly tangy from apple cider vinegar, and has just enough sweetness to round it out.
The macaroni noodles are cooked until soft-unlike al dente pasta-so they absorb the dressing perfectly. Shredded carrots bring a gentle crunch, while grated sweet onion adds a touch of depth without overpowering.
Every bite is rich yet refreshing, making it the perfect companion to hearty Hawaiian comfort foods. Whether served alongside grilled meats or enjoyed straight from the fridge, it’s pure island comfort in a bowl.
Ingredients Required for Rainbow Drive-In Mac Salad Recipe
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Rainbow Drive In Mac Salad
For the Salad:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni (dried)
- 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
- ½ small sweet onion, grated
- 2 tbsp green onions, finely chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder (instead of salt)
For the Dressing:
- 15 oz Best Foods mayo
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice wine vinegar)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander and Mixing bowls
- Grater or shredder
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Yield: 8–10 servings
Copycat Rainbow Drive-In Mac Salad Recipe
Simply follow the steps given below to make your Rainbow Drive In Mac Salad at home
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and stir in chicken bouillon powder. Add elbow macaroni and cook until soft (not al dente), following the higher end of the package’s time range. Drain in a colander and let cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Vegetables
Peel and shred the carrot into short ribbons. Grate half a sweet onion; if you prefer a milder flavor, squeeze out excess liquid. Chop green onions for garnish.
3. Make the Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, combine mayo, whole milk, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and fully blended. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Assemble the Salad
Add cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Fold in shredded carrots and grated onion (including any juices). Mix well until pasta is fully coated.
5. Chill and Serve
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Rainbow Drive-In Mac Salad
1. With Loco Moco
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve enjoyed a heaping scoop of mac salad alongside a juicy loco moco. That rich brown gravy and runny yolk from the fried egg just mingle so perfectly with the creamy pasta-it’s pure Hawaiian comfort food.
2. Beside Shoyu Chicken
Whenever I make shoyu chicken, I have to serve it with mac salad. The savory-sweet chicken juices soak into the pasta just enough to give it a subtle boost of flavor. Honestly, it’s one of my all-time favorite plate lunch combos.
3. Alongside Kalua Pork
Slow-cooked Kalua pork and creamy mac salad? That’s a backyard BBQ dream. The smoky pork pairs so well with the tangy dressing, it’s like they were made for each other.
4. With Grilled Teriyaki Beef
When I fire up the grill for teriyaki beef, the mac salad is always the first side I prep. It cools down the heat from the charred edges and gives you that sweet-savory balance in every bite.
5. On a Plate Lunch Trio
There’s something about mac salad with a plate of rice and a hearty main that just hits differently. Whether it’s beef, chicken, or fish, the trio feels like the ultimate Hawaiian comfort setup.
6. As a BBQ Side Dish
I’ve brought this mac salad to so many summer cookouts, and it disappears every single time. It holds its own next to burgers, hot dogs, and even ribs-plus, it stays creamy even when made ahead.
7. With Fried Fish or Mahi-Mahi
The freshness of a crispy fried mahi-mahi filet paired with chilled mac salad is unbeatable. I especially love it with a squeeze of lemon over both. It brightens up the whole plate.
8. As a Picnic Staple
Whenever we pack food for the beach or a park picnic, this salad makes the cut. It travels well, stays delicious cold, and feels like a treat no matter where you’re eating.
9. Tucked into a Bento Box
A little scoop of mac salad in the corner of a bento box adds that creamy element that balances out teriyaki meat, pickles, and rice. It’s a little surprise you look forward to as you eat.
10. Simply by Itself
Some days, I don’t even need a main dish. A chilled bowl of this mac salad, a sprinkle of green onions, and maybe a little extra black pepper, and I’m perfectly happy. It’s just that good.
Some Tips on This Rainbow Drive-In Mac Salad Recipe
1. Cook your noodles soft, not chewy.
Hawaiian mac salad tastes best when the pasta is soft. This helps it soak up all that yummy dressing.
2. Use chicken bouillon in the water.
Instead of plain salt, add chicken bouillon to the pasta water. It makes the noodles taste extra good.
3. Shred carrots into tiny pieces.
Small carrot bits mix better and make every bite sweet and crunchy.
4. Don’t skip the mayo brand.
Best Foods mayo is the real deal for that classic flavor.
5. Mix the milk in the mayo jar.
Shake the milk in the mayo jar to get every last drop of mayo out. No waste!
6. Let it chill.
Put the salad in the fridge for at least an hour. Overnight is even better for flavor.
7. Taste and adjust.
If you want it tangier, add more vinegar. If you want it sweeter, add more sugar.
8. Garnish at the end.
Sprinkle chopped green onions on top right before serving. It makes it look pretty and taste fresh.
9. Serve it cold.
This salad is best when it’s nice and cold, straight from the fridge.
10. Make enough for leftovers.
It tastes even better the next day, so don’t be shy-make extra!
How to Store Leftover Rainbow Drive-In Mac Salad Properly
Store mac salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve cold-Hawaiian mac salad is best enjoyed chilled, so no reheating is needed.
Rainbow Drive-In Mac Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni dried
- 1 large carrot peeled and shredded
- ½ small sweet onion grated
- 2 tbsp green onions finely chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder instead of salt
- 15 oz Best Foods mayo
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and stir in chicken bouillon powder. Add elbow macaroni and cook until soft (not al dente), following the higher end of the package’s time range. Drain in a colander and let cool slightly.
- Peel and shred the carrot into short ribbons. Grate half a sweet onion; if you prefer a milder flavor, squeeze out excess liquid. Chop green onions for garnish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayo, whole milk, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and fully blended. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Add cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Fold in shredded carrots and grated onion (including any juices). Mix well until pasta is fully coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Video
Notes
Common Queries on This Rainbow Drive-In Mac Salad Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Rainbow Drive In Mac Salad Recipe that people often ask.
1. Why does Hawaiian mac salad taste different?
From my experience, it’s because the pasta is cooked softer than in traditional macaroni salads. This allows the noodles to soak up the creamy mayo-based dressing, making every bite more flavorful. The subtle sweetness and tang from vinegar and sugar also give it that unmistakable Hawaiian twist.
2. What is Rainbow salad blend?
Rainbow salad blend usually refers to a pre-mixed bag of colorful shredded vegetables like carrots, red cabbage, and green cabbage. While it’s convenient, for authentic Rainbow Drive-In mac salad, I stick to just shredded carrot and onion to keep it true to the Hawaiian style.
3. What is Hawaiian-style macaroni salad?
Hawaiian-style mac salad is a simple, creamy side dish served with local Hawaiian plate lunches. It’s made with soft-cooked macaroni, a mayo-based dressing, and minimal mix-ins-usually just carrots and onions. Its charm lies in its simplicity and how well it complements savory mains like loco moco or Kalua pork.
4. What are the ingredients in macaroni salad sauce?
For this recipe, the dressing is a blend of Best Foods mayo, whole milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. The mayo gives creaminess, the milk loosens the texture, the vinegar adds tang, and the sugar balances the flavors. It’s a simple mix but works like magic.
5. Why do you use chicken bouillon instead of salt in the pasta water?
I’ve found that chicken bouillon adds a subtle savory depth to the pasta that plain salt just can’t match. Since the macaroni absorbs so much flavor, this small step makes the final salad taste richer and more satisfying.
6. Can I make Hawaiian mac salad ahead of time?
Absolutely-and I actually recommend it! The salad tastes best when made a day ahead because the flavors have time to blend, and the pasta soaks up more of the dressing overnight.
7. Can I use Miracle Whip instead of mayo?
I wouldn’t if you want that authentic Rainbow Drive-In taste. Best Foods mayo (or Hellmann’s, depending on your location) has the right balance of creaminess and tang that defines Hawaiian mac salad. Miracle Whip is too sweet and will change the flavor.
8. Can I add more vegetables to this salad?
Sure, but traditionally Hawaiian mac salad is kept simple with just carrots and onion. If you want more crunch or color, you can fold in diced celery, peas, or even the rainbow salad blend-but then it will be more like a standard macaroni salad than the classic Hawaiian version.
9. How do I stop the onion flavor from being too strong?
From my experience, grating the onion instead of chopping it finely spreads the flavor more evenly. If you still find it too sharp, squeeze out the excess liquid from the grated onion before mixing it in. This removes some of the bite while keeping the sweetness.
10. What can I serve with Hawaiian mac salad?
This salad is the perfect side for any Hawaiian plate lunch. I love pairing it with loco moco, teriyaki chicken, shoyu chicken, Kalua pork, or even fried fish. It balances out savory, salty dishes beautifully.
This Rainbow Drive-In mac salad recipe brings the flavors of Hawaii right to your kitchen. It’s creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and irresistibly satisfying. Make a big batch, pair it with your favorite Hawaiian dishes, and let the island vibes take over.
Try it out, share it with friends, and tell us how it turned out in the comments. Your perfect Hawaiian plate lunch isn’t complete without this classic side! Feel free to share your experience with this recipe by trying it out. Don’t forget to drop a comment and provide your feedback on the blog for us to read.
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Simply delicious Hawaiian Mac Salad