Vegan Macaroni Salad

This vegan macaroni salad is easy to make and comes together in less than 30 minutes! Elbow macaroni is combined with crunchy veggies and tangy pickles and tossed in a creamy vegan mayo sauce. It’s the perfect accompaniment to summer barbecues, potlucks, and picnics.

💛 Why you’ll love this recipe

• Versatile: This vegan macaroni salad pairs beautifully with almost anything, but it can also hold up as a main dish on its own.
• Crunch & creaminess: The balance of creamy sauce with the crunch of fresh veggies always hits just right!
• Healthy yet flavorful: Who said vegan food can’t be flavorful? This salad is full of comforting and satisfying tastes and textures.
• Budget-friendly: The ingredients for this vegan macaroni salad are inexpensive, and you can even make your own vegan mayo to save more.

If you love vegan macaroni salad, you should really check out our vegan potato salad, vegan pasta salad, vegan chickpea salad, and tomato cucumber salad. 

🥗 The best vegan macaroni salad

If you’re looking for a comforting dish that delivers big on flavor without breaking the bank, you’re going to love this vegan macaroni salad.

It starts with al dente elbow macaroni and fresh veggies like carrots, pickles, and celery. Everything is tossed in egg-free mayo, cashew cream, pickle juice, and mustard, creating an irresistibly creamy, slightly sweet, and tangy dish.

The reason we love macaroni salad so much is that it’s easily customizable to suit your taste preferences. Plus, it’s a great way to use up ingredients in the fridge. You can add other ingredients like peas, corn, cheese, vegan ham, and more. No more wasted food!

🌱 Is macaroni salad vegan?

Macaroni salad is not traditionally vegan-friendly since it’s made with mayo and sometimes add-ins like sour cream, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, or cubed meat.

Instead of egg-based mayo, we’ve replaced it with vegan mayo. As we said, you can also try making your own for an even cheaper option. To add a refreshing flavor, we’ve also substituted sour cream for vegan cashew crema.

🛒 Ingredients & substitutions

• Elbow macaroni: Acts as the base, offering a classic texture. If you prefer, you can experiment with other pasta like ditalini, small shells, or wagon wheels.
• Carrot: Adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful orange hue. No carrots? Orange or red bell peppers add a similar sweetness and crunch.
• Celery: The crispness of celery perfectly contrasts with the macaroni. If you don’t have celery on hand, you can try green bell peppers instead.
• Dill pickles: Provide a zesty, tangy crunch to the salad. You can also use spicy pickles, sweet pickles, sweet gherkins, or even capers.
• Red onion: Adds sharpness and a pop of color. Try shallots for a milder alternative.
• Vegan mayo: Creates a creamy, silky-smooth sauce to coat the pasta. If you don’t have access to vegan mayo, you can use all cashew crema with added apple cider vinegar instead.
• Cashew cream: This dairy-free sauce adds a creamy yet refreshing element. Feel free to use vegan Mexican crema or dairy-free sour cream for a thicker addition. You can also use store-bought vegan sour cream or yogurt.
• Yellow mustard & pickle juice: Both introduce tang and depth. Feel free to use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar instead of pickle juice.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

📝 How to make vegan macaroni salad

Step 1: Cook the macaroni

Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. It’s vital to salt the water as it elevates the pasta’s flavor. Immediately drain and rinse the cooked macaroni under cold water to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prep the veggies

While the pasta cooks, shred the carrots and dice the other vegetables. Try to keep the pieces a similar size for an even distribution of flavors.

Step 3: Assemble the salad

Mix the mayo, cashew crema, mustard, and pickle juice together in a small bowl. Add the sauce to your vegan macaroni salad, then season it with salt and pepper to taste. Happy eating!

If you have questions about this vegan macaroni salad recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

🌮 What to serve with vegan macaroni salad

For the ultimate spread, try serving your vegan macaroni salad with mains like these:

• Vegan meatloaf
• Tofu marinade
• Vegan chicken
• Vegan fried chicken
• Fried oyster mushrooms
• Jackfruit carnitas
• Vegan fajitas
• Vegan elotes

🌡️ Storage & reheating

Follow these simple storage tips to ensure your vegan macaroni salad stays fresh for longer:  

• Fridge: Transfer any leftover salad to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for 3-4 days. 
• Freezer: We don’t recommend freezing this recipe as the texture of the pasta and sauce will change too much once thawed.
• Prep ahead: If you’re making vegan macaroni salad for an event, feel free to prepare everything a day in advance. We find the flavors are even better the next day!

♻️ Variations

• Spicy: Add pickled jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
• Protein: Mix in some cooked chickpeas, cubed tofu, vegan ham, or cubed vegan sausage for added nutrients.
• Greens: Just before serving, toss in some arugula or baby spinach.
• Fresh herbs: Mix in freshly chopped dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, or chives.
• Fruity: Diced apples or grapes can make a juicy, refreshing addition.
• Nutty: Add some toasted almonds or walnuts for a crunch.
• Other add-ins: Try incorporating other add-ins like corn kernels, bell peppers, green peas, green onions, radishes, or olives.
• Vegan cheese: For a salty, umami kick, add cubed vegan cheddar cheese.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

• Don’t overcook the pasta: Start checking your macaroni a few minutes before the stated time on the package to prevent overcooking it. You want it to be al dente.
• Rinse the pasta: Rinsing pasta stops the cooking process and prevents it from sticking together.
• Dice equally: Keep the diced add-ins to about the same size as the elbow macaroni for even flavor distribution in each bite.
• Let it chill: Let the salad rest in the fridge for an hour before serving. This will give the flavors more time to develop and meld together.
• Mix gently: Be careful when you’re mixing this vegan macaroni salad. You want everything combined, not mashed.

💬 FAQ

🍴 More salad recipes

• Couscous Salad: A quick, easy, and healthy recipe full of vibrant flavors and colors.
• Sweet Potato Salad: Featuring Southwest ingredients like beans, chipotle powder, jalapeños, corn, and lime juice.
• Kale Caesar Salad: Creamy salad with tempeh and chickpea croutons.
• Vegan Tuna Salad: A plant-based alternative that’s ready in 20 minutes or less.

Note: We’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.