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Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe with Tangy Pickle Juice Easy and Perfect

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A creamy, comforting macaroni salad with a tangy kick from pickle juice, perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and family meals. This Southern classic combines simple ingredients with a lively zing that makes it a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni pasta
  • 1 cup (240ml) mayonnaise (Hellmann’s or Duke’s recommended)
  • 3 tablespoons pickle juice (from dill pickles)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1/2 cup finely diced celery
  • 1/4 cup finely minced red onion
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water until cool. Shake off excess water well.
  3. While pasta cooks, chop 1/2 cup dill pickles, 1/2 cup celery, 1/4 cup red onion, and 2 hard-boiled eggs into small, even pieces. Soak onion in cold water for 5 minutes if a milder flavor is desired, then drain.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons pickle juice, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. Add the cooled macaroni, chopped pickles, celery, onion, eggs, and optional parsley to the dressing. Gently fold everything together with a spatula, ensuring pasta is fully coated but not broken.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Overnight chilling is ideal.
  7. Before serving, gently stir and taste. Add extra salt, pepper, or pickle juice if needed.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness. Rinse pasta under cold water immediately after cooking to stop cooking and cool it quickly. Use pickle juice sparingly at first and adjust to taste. Chill salad for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor. Gently fold ingredients to keep texture intact. Can substitute mayo with Greek yogurt mixed with mayo for tanginess or use vegan mayo for dairy-free option. Use gluten-free pasta to make the salad gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, southern macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, pickle juice, picnic salad, potluck recipe, easy side dish, summer salad

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/creamy-southern-macaroni-salad-recipe-with-tangy-pickle-juice-easy-and-perfect/