Easy Macaroni Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar and Peas
This vegan macaroni salad is loaded with colorful veggies and topped with a creamy, flavorful dressing. Your summer barbecue won't be complete without this delicious side salad!
What comes to mind when you think about macaroni salad? Pale white salad with lots of mayo? Maybe a stray pea or two tossed in there?
Usually when I see macaroni salad at a party or at the store, it seems kind of light on the vegetables and heavy on the dressing, but it doesn't have to be that way.
What if I told you that you can make macaroni salad that's vegan and gluten free, and tastes better than the traditional version?
This vegan macaroni salad is loaded with lots of fresh vegetables. All those extra peas and peppers add a lot of color to this vegan macaroni salad, making it a pretty addition to the table. The dressing is simple but flavorful, and everyone who tries this salad loves it!
Jump to:
- Macaroni Salad for Vegans
- Ingredient Notes
- Step by Step Instructions
- Serving Suggestions
- More Vegan Salads
- Recipe
Macaroni Salad for Vegans
You might be surprised to find out how easy it is to make macaroni salad with vegan mayonnaise. There are a lot of different brands of vegan mayo.
You'll need to choose the brand that works best for your dietary needs. We like Earth Balance plant based mayonnaise, but you can use any brand you like.
But as long as you use vegan mayo, and leave out any animal products like tuna, bacon, or eggs, you'll have an easy and tasty plant-based macaroni salad that everyone will love.
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta – Use any type of macaroni noodle that works for you! I like Jovial brand or Ancient Harvest brand gluten free pasta. You can read about some of the different brands of gluten free pasta here. Make sure you don't overcook the pasta – you don't want the noodles to be too soggy.
- Vegetables – Peppers, shredded carrots, peas, celery, and onion are flavorful and colorful in this salad. I like to shred the carrots so that they blend in nicely with the rest of the salad texture. You can also use red onion, chopped zucchini, or broccoli in this salad.
- Pickle Relish – Dill pickle relish makes a nice, tangy addition to the dressing. If you're used to a sweeter dressing, you will want to use sweet pickle relish.
Step by Step Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions, then allow it to cool
- Add the chopped veggies to the bowl.
- Mix up the salad dressing in a small jar or bowl.
- Add the dressing to the bowl, stir it all up, and it will be ready to serve.
Tips for Success
- Don't overcook the noodles – you don't want mushy, soggy macaroni. Be sure to follow the package instructions – the cooking time will vary based on the type of pasta you use.
- If you want to make this salad ahead of time, keep the dressing separate, then mix it in just prior to serving.
- Be creative – add different vegetables if you like, or try sweet pickle relish – it's up to you!
This macaroni salad is perfect for all those upcoming summer barbecues and picnics. It's colorful, full of flavor, and suitable for a variety of special dietary needs. If you need more ideas for your next BBQ, check out the suggestions below!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this pasta salad alongside these dishes:
- Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes
- Best Ever Vegan Cornbread
- Vegan Corn Chowder
More Vegan Salads
- Crowd-Pleasing Southwest Pasta Salad
- The Best Classic Vegan Potato Salad
- Vegan KFC Copycat Coleslaw
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Recipe
The Best Simple Vegan Macaroni Salad.
Simple, tasty, and colorful, this vegan macaroni salad is perfect for a summer barbecue! You'll love the flavorful dressing and the delicious variety of veggies in this dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 324 kcal
- 12 ounces macaroni I used gluten free macaroni
- 1 large red pepper chopped
- 1 small sweet onion chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas thawed and drained
- 2 carrots grated
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise I used Earth Balance Mindful Mayo
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup dill pickle relish
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ⅓ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
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Cook the macaroni according to package directions.
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Once the macaroni is cooked, drain and rinse it under cold water to cool down.
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Put the vegan mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, pickle relish, sugar, salt, pepper, and onion powder in a small bowl or jar. Stir well until combined.
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Place the cooled macaroni in a large bowl. Add the all of the vegetables and toss to combine.
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Add the dressing and stir until everything is coated.
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Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Use whatever type of pasta you like! If you prefer a different shape, go ahead and use that. If you are gluten free, gluten free pasta will work very well in this recipe.
If you're making the salad ahead of time, keep the dressing and the other ingredients separate, then mix them when it's serving time.
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Facts
The Best Simple Vegan Macaroni Salad.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 324 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Sodium 566mg 25%
Potassium 263mg 8%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Fiber 3g 13%
Sugar 7g 8%
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin A 2635IU 53%
Vitamin C 26.5mg 32%
Calcium 27mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- Author
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Mom to two boys with food allergies and sensitivities, Kelly is passionate about allergy friendly cooking and baking. She believes that you can enjoy amazing, easy recipes even when cooking for multiple food allergies.
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Source: https://theprettybee.com/vegan-macaroni-salad/