Modeled after a popular modern take on the classic recipe, Trader Joe’s Lemon Herb Macaroni Salad is not your grandmother’s mac. Of course, semolina elbow Macaroni anchors our chilled Salad in nostalgia, and the dressing mimics the creamy, mayo-based version of the past. Beyond these familiarities, though, the recipe departs for a new era, going lighter on the mayo and incorporating buttermilk, which hints at a tanginess that arrives in full with a cucumber, celery, and caper relish in a vinegar, white wine, and lemon juice brine.

The inclusion of zest locks in the Lemon profile promised in the name, while the Herb component is distinctly dill-forward, partnering with parsley and a host of spices and aromatics. Harkening back to your grandma’s recipe, we have included a touch of sugar (less than one gram of added sugar per serving), which lends a final balance to the zestier components.