Copycat KFC Macaroni Salad Recipe

Copycat KFC Macaroni Salad is the final word creamy, tangy facet dish that tastes similar to the one you already know and love from the Colonel’s kitchen. With tender pasta, crisp veggies, and that signature sweet-and-tangy dressing, it’s consolation meals in a bowl. The very best half? You may whip it up at dwelling very quickly—no drive-thru run required.

A bowl of copycat KFC macaroni salad with fries and gravy beside it.

This do-it-yourself model has all of the issues that make the unique so addictive: completely mushy macaroni, crunchy bits of celery and carrot, a touch of candy pickle relish, and a dressing that’s silky-smooth with simply the correct amount of zip. Let it chill within the fridge, and the flavors get even higher—dare I say, much more scrumptious than the true factor.

For me, this salad is pure nostalgia. I can nonetheless bear in mind household picnics the place we’d swing by KFC to seize a bucket of rooster, and there was at all times slightly tub of macaroni salad tucked within the bag. I’d strive to put it aside for later, however by some means it was at all times gone earlier than the rooster was. Making it at dwelling now brings again those self same summer season recollections, minus the struggle over who will get the final scoop.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Spot-on taste: It captures that candy, tangy, and creamy style you’re keen on from KFC’s model.
Excellent texture: Tender pasta paired with crisp veggies for that satisfying chew.
Simple elements: You in all probability have most of what you want already in your fridge or pantry.
Make-ahead pleasant: Tastes even higher after chilling, so it’s nice for prepping the day earlier than.
Versatile facet: Pairs completely with fried rooster, burgers, sizzling canines, or something off the grill.
Crowd pleaser: At all times successful at barbecues, potlucks, and household dinners.

Substances

The complete printable recipe card with measurements and directions is discovered on the backside of the publish.

Elbow macaroni: Persist with the basic small elbows for that acquainted texture. Cook dinner them till very mushy, similar to KFC’s.
Mayonnaise: Full-fat mayo provides the creamiest, richest dressing. Keep away from low-fat for the most effective taste.
Apple cider vinegar: White vinegar works in a pinch.
Sugar: Simply sufficient to imitate that refined sweetness within the authentic.
Yellow mustard: Provides a delicate tang and trace of coloration with out overpowering the salad.
Salt: Brings all of the flavors collectively—don’t skip it.
Black pepper: A bit heat to steadiness the creaminess.
Carrot: Peel and grate finely so it blends in easily. I used a cheese grater.
Celery: Cube it very small so that you get crunch with out large chunks.
Candy pickle relish: Provides sweetness and slightly tang; drain if it’s additional juicy.
Candy onion: Mince finely for taste in each chew with out large onion items. I used the cheese grater!

The best way to Make Copycat KFC Macaroni Salad

Step One: Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and prepare dinner till very mushy — barely extra tender than al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, rinse with chilly water, and let cool fully.
Step Two: In a big mixing bowl, whisk collectively the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Step Three: Stir within the grated carrot, celery, pickle relish, and minced onion till evenly mixed.
Step 4: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl and gently fold till the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing and veggies.
Step 5: Cowl and refrigerate for not less than 2 hours (in a single day is even higher) to let the flavors develop. Stir earlier than serving and regulate seasoning if wanted.

Collage of mixing ingredients in a bowl.

Store Advisable Merchandise!

From cookware to helpful kitchen devices, take a look at all my favourite merchandise used to create on a regular basis recipes!

What to Serve With It

Fried rooster: The plain alternative and a basic KFC combo.
Burgers and sizzling canines: Excellent for yard barbecues and cookouts.
Grilled meats: Hen, steak, or pork chops all pair superbly with the creamy, tangy flavors.
Pulled pork sandwiches: Provides a cool, refreshing distinction to smoky, savory barbecue.
Barbecue nights: Works splendidly alongside crispy fried fish and hush puppies.
Picnic spreads: Pair it with potato chips, coleslaw, and fruit salad for a straightforward out of doors meal.

Variations and Substitutions

Lighten it up: Use half mayonnaise and half plain Greek yogurt for a barely tangier, lower-fat dressing.
Swap the pasta: Small shells or ditalini work nicely in the event you don’t have elbow macaroni.
Add protein: Stir in diced ham, shredded rooster, and even chopped hard-boiled eggs to make it a heartier facet.
Further veggies: Combine in finely diced purple bell pepper, peas, or cucumber for extra coloration and crunch.
Change the sweetness: Use dill pickle relish as an alternative of candy relish for a tangier twist.
Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a number of dashes of sizzling sauce for a delicate kick.
Attempt dry mustard powder: Swap the yellow mustard for ½ teaspoon of dry mustard powder for a barely sharper, extra basic tang.
Use onion powder: For those who want a milder onion taste, change the recent onion with ½ teaspoon of onion powder.

A bowl of the recipe with a wooden spoon.

Storage Directions

Fridge: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. The dressing could thicken barely because it chills, so give it an excellent stir earlier than serving. If it appears a bit dry after sitting, combine in a spoonful of mayonnaise to refresh the creaminess.
Not freezer-friendly: Mayo-based salads don’t freeze nicely, because the dressing can separate and turn out to be watery as soon as thawed.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

Cook dinner the pasta softer than al dente: KFC’s model is tender, not agency, so let it prepare dinner a minute or two longer than typical.
Rinse the pasta nicely: Cooling it underneath chilly water stops the cooking and helps the dressing cling higher.
Chop veggies finely: Small, uniform items give that basic texture and stop anyone taste from overpowering the salad.
Chill for finest taste: No less than 2 hours within the fridge lets the flavors meld—in a single day is even higher.
Style earlier than serving: Flavors can mellow because it chills, so regulate salt, pepper, or vinegar if wanted earlier than serving.

Macaroni Salads

Comply with me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Fb at Merely Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know the way you preferred this recipe and my different recipes.

Copycat KFC Macaroni Salad

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook dinner Time 12 minutes

Chill Time 2 hours

Whole Time 2 hours 22 minutes

Creamy, tangy, and similar to the unique—this Copycat KFC Macaroni Salad is the right make-ahead facet for barbecues, picnics, and household dinners.

Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and prepare dinner till very mushy — barely extra tender than al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, rinse with chilly water, and let cool fully.
In a big mixing bowl, whisk collectively the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Stir within the grated carrot, celery, pickle relish, and minced onion till evenly mixed.
Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl and gently fold till the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing and veggies.
Cowl and refrigerate for not less than 2 hours (in a single day is even higher) to let the flavors develop. Stir earlier than serving and regulate seasoning if wanted.

Cook dinner the pasta till mushy, not al dente, for probably the most genuine KFC texture.
Rinse pasta underneath chilly water to cease the cooking and stop clumping.
Finely chop veggies in order that they mix evenly into the salad with out overpowering bites.
Chill for not less than 2 hours earlier than serving—in a single day is finest for max taste.
If the salad thickens within the fridge, stir in slightly additional mayonnaise earlier than serving.

Store the really helpful merchandise
Plus browse all of my favourite merchandise I exploit to create straightforward on a regular basis recipes!

The data proven is an estimate offered by a web-based vitamin calculator. It shouldn’t be thought-about an alternative choice to knowledgeable nutritionist’s recommendation.

Course Salad

Delicacies American

Key phrase copycat recipe, macaroni salad

Did you make this recipe?

I’d like to see it! Be certain that to share it in your favourite social platform.

Need Even Extra Recipes?

Be a part of Mothers Greatest Recipes to search out extra scrumptious household recipes.

free e-book!

The Better of Merely Stacie

While you subscribe to the e-newsletter for the most recent updates!

Copycat KFC Macaroni Salad Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Substances