Why Shoppers Love This Walmart Macaroni Salad

Walmart always stocks its shelves with summer barbecue sides guaranteed to earn rave reviews, from a Loaded Potato Salad packed with cheddar cheese to a chicken salad inspired by the flavors of a rotisserie-roasted bird. However, for many shoppers, one summer side from this beloved big box chain stands out above the rest: the big box chain’s macaroni salads.

Walmart’s Freshness Guaranteed Macaroni Salads are popular choices among the grocery store’s refrigerated deli salads—and rightly so. Offered in three flavors to appeal to different palates, this convenient macaroni salad is the ideal addition for potlucks, a summer favorite, or as a side dish for barbecue feasts. One reviewer notes they are “Great for lunch or picnics,” commending the creamy salad for its perfect pairing with “everything from fried chicken to sandwiches.” 

Many customers also say they love the flavor of Walmart’s macaroni salad because it’s on the sweeter side, balanced by a hint of tanginess from mustard and vinegar. The inclusion of crisp vegetables like red bell peppers and carrots adds a textural contrast to the otherwise soft and creamy salad. 

The base ingredients of each Walmart macaroni salad are classic, including macaroni noodles, a mayo-based dressing, diced red bell pepper, and carrot. But it’s the additional mix-ins and seasonings that will likely influence which flavor of the side dish becomes your favorite.

What types of macaroni salad are available at Walmart? 

Walmart’s macaroni salad is offered in three varieties: Amish Macaroni Salad, Original Macaroni Salad, and Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad. Depending on the version you choose, the seasonings and ingredients may vary slightly. You can find refrigerated tubs of these pre-made salads in the prepared foods section alongside other ready-to-eat items or purchase them online with other Walmart groceries for delivery.

Much like its versatile selection of potato salads, which includes Loaded, Original, Mustard, and Jalapeño Pepper options, any flavor of macaroni salad you grab at Walmart, it’ll be a tasty side to level up any summer spread. 

Amish Macaroni Salad

The 32-ounce tub of this macaroni salad is priced at $4.67 at my nearest Walmart (though the exact price may vary depending on location). It’s made with cooked macaroni noodles, mayonnaise, sugar, hard-boiled eggs, red bell peppers, carrots, mustard, onions, vinegar, and salt. If you’re wondering how good of a deal that is, the nutrition label estimates there are six servings in one container — all for under $5.

This product is so popular that it has inspired a number of copycat recipes on social media and blogs. One Redditor on the Walmart subreddit raised the question, “Why is the Amish Macaroni Salad so good?” Amish macaroni salad is known for its distinctly sweet dressing, so if you enjoy pasta salads on the sweeter side, this is the one for you.

Original Macaroni Salad

While comparable to the Amish Macaroni Salad in price, size, and base ingredients, this “original” flavor is distinguished by the addition of sour cream, celery, green onions, and parsley flakes, resulting in a richer and more savory profile.

Fans appreciate the sweet and tart balance of this side dish, and one review on the Walmart website explains, “This is my go-to store brand for when I’m short on time or ingredients to make homemade. I add just a few things to my taste, but even ‘un-doctored’, it’s still great.” The same reviewer compared Walmart’s macaroni salad to the one from Publix and strongly prefers the former, citing its price and value. 

If you want to customize a macaroni salad, this version offers a great base to which you can add your personal touches. This is an easy way to save time while still creating a dish that reflects your preferences. Consider mixing in some jalapeños, olives, corn, diced pickles, or other crunchy vegetables, aromatics, and seasonings that you enjoy.

Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad 

A Walmart customer describes the Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad as “perfect, tangy, fresh” in one review. If you love deviled eggs and pasta, the contents of this smaller 16-ounce container might be your idea of a perfect barbecue side. 

Combining the flavors of traditional deviled eggs with Walmart’s macaroni salad base, this side dish features cooked macaroni noodles, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, sweet pickle relish, onion, vinegar, salt, red bell peppers, dill, paprika, black and white pepper, along with cayenne pepper.

Another review notes, “This is the first store-bought mac salad that was reminiscent of homemade,” while one shopper praises the dish for its balanced flavor without an overpowering mustard taste. 

Whether you want to enjoy some crunchy, sweet, and tangy macaroni salad during your lunch break or serve it alongside ribs fresh off the grill for a summer cookout, this nostalgic side from Walmart is a convenient, affordable, and comforting classic worth trying.