The Best Macaroni Salad recipe starts with macaroni noodles, peppers, onions and radishes and is mixed with a secret-ingredient creamy dressing!
THE BEST MACARONI SALAD
WHAT VEGETABLES CAN I ADD TO MACARONI SALAD?
HOW DO YOU MAKE MACARONI SALAD?
mayonnaise
chicken stock
green pepper
radishes
red onion
salt & pepper
SECRET INGREDIENT
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE MACARONI SALAD:
Stir well until combined. Cover with plastic wrap.
Now, this next step is really important. You need to put it in the refrigerator and let it cool for at least 3 hours. This really helps the flavor come together and give the pasta a bit of time to soak up the mayonnaise mixture.
WHAT TO DO IF IT LOOKS DRY?
Sometimes when you go to serve your macaroni salad, you’ll notice that the noddles have absorbed a lot of the dressing. This happens and is totally normal. Some folks prefer it this way. But if you like your salad to be super creamy, all you need to do is mix up a small bowl of a bit of mayo and a little more chicken stock or milk. Whisk it together then stir into your macaroni salad. Give it a taste to make sure it has a good balance of salt and pepper, then serve. 
Originally published: June 2013
Updated & republished May 2019
THE BEST MACARONI SALAD (MOM'S SECRET RECIPE)
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) box macaroni noodles
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup radishes, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare macaroni according to package directions.
- Drain macaroni well, and rinse with cold water until pasta has cooled.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine mayonnaise with chicken stock.
- Whisk together well and season with a bit of salt and pepper.
- I do enjoy about a tablespoon or so of freshly ground black pepper in this.
- Add in drained pasta along with green pepper, radishes and onion.
- Stir well until combined.
- Cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
- Stir again before serving.
Video
Nutrition
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The salad is great!! I have one question-is chicken broth the same as chicken stock? I ask this because I used chicken broth and it did not taste the same as when I first made the recipe.
How many servings will this make? I need to make a salad for 12. Thanks!
I like the idea of using chicken stock, since I don't like mayonaise.I use more chicken stock than mayo when I make chicken salad. And speaking of things that never taste like Momma's.I can never cook turnip greens like her. I do them the same way she did. but they never taste like hers . She passed a way 12 years ago and I still can't get them right. I'm the same way about my mil's sweet potato cobbler. I've just about got it right but not exactly
I made this today as a lighter, out-of-the-potato-side-dish-rut to go with our burgers and beans tonight. My fiance' and I did some "quality control" sampling before I put it in the fridge to "schmiel" (as he says). Boy, was it a hit! The proportions of dressing to ingredients is spot on, and I agree, a tablespoon of fresh ground black pepper was perfect! Took me about 4 radishes to finally get the hang of dicing one, but I'll be ready for next time. And there WILL be a next time! Thanks again!
I love to cook and have found your website to be a real jewel. I like that you have pictures that show each step. This is a great thing for a beginner cook and is even helpful for us older cooks.
Having this chilling in the fridge right now. Can't wait to eat it
I mix half mayo and half Miracle Whip and thin it out with peppercorn ranch. This really makes a very creamy and flavorful dressing.
I make macaroni salad in some form all the time, and your recipe is quite similar to mine. I've never heard of adding radish, and probably wouldn't because I don't like them. Some things that I do different, is to add diced celery. I also thin my mayo, either with milk, or with some Marzetti's southern recipe sauce. I also like to throw in a little parmesan and dill for flavoring. Sometimes I will even add a dash of garlic powder. I probably don't make it the same way twice, LOL! But it always gets eaten, and I get a lot of compliments. I love your recipes!
Have a empty nest now. Just myself. One of my 3 children was soooooo picky, so I would have to cook according, a lot of times…dang it!
Now I am "free" to make anything I want… and I am enjoying it. Radishes….YES…I love them!!! Their going in next time. My Mom use to wash them and cut off ends and put them in a bowl on the dinner table. A sprinkle of salt…YUMMY. Same with sliced red onions and green peppers's. Looking forward to trying your recipes…Thank-you, Cindy
I love your comments about your Mother's cooking, I was fortunate and had a Mom who was a super cook, and you are right nothing tastes as good as the way our Moms made them. It is so unfortunate that we sometimes loose them and sadly all those wonderful recipes she made went with her. My mother was a from scratch cook. Her pot roast was not falling apart after it was done, oh no it cut beautifully into solid slices, and her gravy was to die for. When I try to cook some of her specialties, they just never taste as good as hers. My friends do consider me a good cook, but I will never reach the extent of her expertise. Fortunately I do have quite a few of her recipes in my file. It brings back such wonderful memories just to read them, and imagine that Mom is there in the kitchen with me. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes you share with us.
Soooo happy I found this recipe!!! Our favorite macaroni salad and the only one I’ll make from now on!!! I think the addition of chicken stock really makes a difference!!
Woot! Woot! I’ll be sure to let my Mom read your comment. It will make her day!!!
MY HUSBAND DISLIKES MAYO SO i USE MIRCLE WHIP CAN i USE MIRCLE WHIP INSTEAD OF MAYO
Yes you can
Instead of chicken stock, can vegetable stock be used?
Loved your macaroni Salad recipe.
Hi Maureen! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know – yay!!
I just finished putting my macaroni salad in the fridge when I read about yours. Only difference is I added some chopped celery and cayenne pepper. When I serve it Saturday, I will garnish with celery and poppy seeds. I used rotini instead of elbow just to mix it up this time.
Thanks so much for your mom’s mac salad recipe. I made it according to directions Sunday night for family gathering the next day. Everyone loved it! I’m finishing off the last of it today for lunch by adding a small can of tuna.
Looks wonderful! Will have to try it!
Delicious! Only difference is I added diced celery and grated my radishes (because I often cut myself) I only used a few so I could introduce it to my picky eater.
Love hearing that Dolores! This is totally one of those salads you can tailor to your tastes. I sometimes add cucumber and tomatoes. I love the idea of celery! Thank you so much for coming back to comment!
I didn’t see an answer to the above question of is chicken broth the same as chicken stock?
Hi Amy. No it’s not. Chicken stock is much more rich than chicken broth.
Did salad for yesterday’s supper myself & hubby said it was the best salad we ever had.i think it was the chicken stock mix with the mano is what but the flavour .never ever use chicken stock before until I seen this recipe.going to make this again for our b.b.q outing when my brother gets home.thanks for sharing
This made my day Pauline!! Thank you so much! It seems like such a small addition and you don’t think it would really add anything to the salad but it adds a certain depth of flavor that’s kinda hard to describe. So, so thrilled y’all loved it!!