A Tasty and Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad
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I’m quickly getting my party groove on with all-new backyard barbecue foods like a tasty and Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad! I’m using sweet pickle relish, but dill pickle pasta salad with fresh dill and dill relish makes an amazing kid-friendly side dish, too!
I am getting into the potluck party spirit with my favorite backyard barbecue dishes and a few new recipes, including pasta salad recipes like this pickle relish macaroni salad. This simple recipe isn’t just delicious; its pleasing flavor is designed to appeal to kids and picky adults alike, making it a perfect addition to America’s favorite grilling side dish lineup! Growing up, our mom made (what she called) “picnic noodles” to ensure my brother and I would eat them. She forever ruined grown-up macaroni salad because this is the only version we always make.
You might be thinking, “As a food blogger, shouldn’t she have plenty of classic macaroni salad recipes?” Well, the answer is yes, I do. But think back—when was the last time you dished out macaroni salad at a cookout and someone was gently pushing the peas or little dices of raw pepper to the side of their plate? Or when was the last time you made a classic pasta salad, only to have a lot left over after the party? Exactly, just as I thought.
Sometimes, “less is best.” Salads with too many ingredients often get skipped for Aunt Mary’s Jell-O salad. At past parties, I was left with macaroni salad leftovers, wondering who actually ate it. Watching the guests was eye-opening: only a few women and maybe one guy took some, while kids and other adults avoided it. If you are tasked with bringing a side dish to share, also check out my recipe for Amish Potato Salad and a fully loaded Mothership Tomato Salad!
Recipe Highlights
· Kid-Friendly – Simple ingredients make it appealing to kids (and fussy adult eaters, too!).
· Crunchy Texture – Chopped pickles and/or pickle relish add a satisfying crunch.
· Colorful Presentation – The bright green relish and red, if you add it, makes it visually appealing.
· Great Leftovers – Tastes even better the next day after flavors meld together in the fridge overnight.
Ingredients for Pickle Macaroni Salad
Most macaroni salad recipes include boiled elbow pasta, mayo, vinegar, sugar, relish, and sometimes mustard. I prefer using sweet pickle relish with pimentos, chopping sweet pickles myself, and adding red pepper relish or diced pimentos to the mix.
- white onion
- al dente elbow macaroni, rotini pasta, cavatappi noodles, penne, bowtie pasta, fusilli, or other noodle
- distilled white vinegar
- granulated sugar
- Kosher salt
- black pepper
- mayonnaise
- deli-style sweet pickle relish, red pepper relish, or dill pickle relish
- sweet or dill pickle juice
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Add-ins and Variations
- fresh parsley or other fresh herbs
- bell pepper, green onions, sweet peas, grated carrot, or other fresh veggies
- hard-boiled eggs
- shredded sharp cheddar cheese or cubed cheese
- flaked tuna
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step By Step Instructions
Cook Pasta Al Dente meaning slightly undercook the pasta by about a minute so it stays firm and doesn’t become mushy once it absorbs the creamy dressing.
Step 1. Soak the onions in warm water for about 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions, less 1 minute. Drain and add to a mixing bowl.
Step 2. Whisk the vinegar and the granulated sugar, Kosher salt, and black pepper together until the sugar is dissolved. Whisk the vinegar mixture together with the mayo. TASTE for seasoning and add as required.
Step 3. Pour the dressing over the macaroni. Add relishes and the drained onion and toss well to coat. TASTE for seasoning and add additional reserved pickle juice from the relish if necessary. If using any add-ins, incorporate now.
Step 4. Place into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Stir well before serving.
How Much Macaroni Salad for a Crowd?
Macaroni Salad is a fantastic choice for large parties because it’s a FILLING perfect side dish. The more basic the recipe, the better the chance of watching your eaters EAT what you’ve prepared. A good rule of thumb for macaroni salad is about 1/2 cup per person. Yeah, there will always be that guy who goes back for thirds, but that’s a compliment, right?
Storage Instructions
Macaroni salad must be refrigerated due to the mayonnaise. Load into airtight containers with tight-fitting lids and refrigerate up to 3 days. Stir well before serving.
Jenny’s Recipe Pro Tips
- Keep it Simple – Don’t overload with too many extra ingredients; keep it simple to let the main flavors shine.
- Taste Test – Adjust seasonings, like salt and pepper, after the salad has chilled to ensure the best flavor.
- Balance the Acidity – Adjust the amount of vinegar and pickle juice to taste, ensuring a balanced tangy flavor.
- Let It Sit – Allow the salad to chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
Recipe FAQs
The salad is ready to be enjoyed after just a few hours, but can also be made ahead by a day.
Substituting half the mayo with Greek yogurt or swapping out regular macaroni for whole wheat macaroni may make this dish healthier.
Hover over the numeric number of servings in the recipe card and scale up or down.
Comforting Potluck and Cookout Sides!
After trying this recipe, I would love to hear your thoughts! Consider leaving a star rating in the recipe card located below or sharing your feedback in the comment section. Your reviews and comments are highly valued and appreciated.
Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup white onion chopped, soaked in warm water for 15 minutes
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 6 tablespoons distilled white vinegar more to taste or to thin dressing as required
- 1/8 cup granulated sugar
- pinch Kosher salt
- pinch freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 (8 ounce) jar deli-style pickle relish sweet or dill; drained slightly, juice reserved for flavor adjustments after assembling
Instructions
- Soak the onions in warm water for about 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Boil macaroni according to package directions, less 1 minute. Drain and add to a mixing bowl. Also set aside.½ cup white onion, 1 pound elbow macaroni
- Whisk the vinegar and the granulated sugar, Kosher salt, and black pepper together until the sugar is dissolved. Add the mayonnaise and whisk until smooth. TASTE for seasoning and add as required.6 tablespoons distilled white vinegar, 1/8 cup granulated sugar, pinch Kosher salt, pinch freshly cracked black pepper, 2 cups mayonnaise
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni. Add the jar of relish and the drained onion and toss well to coat. TASTE for seasoning and add additional reserved pickle juice from the relish if necessary. If using any add-ins, incorporate now.1 (8 ounce) jar deli-style pickle relish
- Place into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Stir well before serving.
Notes
The nutrition value can vary depending on what product(s) you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with.
Please note that table salt and iodized salt are NOT substitutions for Kosher salt. Do not deviate unless otherwise specified.
I was worried this might not be fancy enough to take to our Bunko and game night cookout, but boy was I wrong – this salad was full of flavor and I didn’t bring ANY home! I have referred at least 3 players to this recipe on your site. Thanks for this!
Leonora, glad to read this from you! It ‘looks’ like a lot less without colorful veggies and tuna, but it’s tasty as heck with the sweet ‘n tangy dressing it gets in addition to – you guessed it – sweet pickle relish! Thank you for your kind comment! Jenny