This is an amazing copycat version of the famous KFC coleslaw recipe. It’s sweet, a little tangy, and fabulously creamy! My all-time favorite coleslaw recipe!
Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe
Is there anyone who doesn’tloveKFC Coleslaw Recipe? The dressing in this recipe tastesexactly,I meanEXACTLY,like the original in my book! And let’s face it……the dressingis what separates the original from all the imitations!
Once the weather begins to warm a bit, come spring and summer this is my absolute favorite salad to eat. It goes so well with virtually everything. Roasted meat, fried chicken, barbecue foods, sandwiches, okay, maybe not breakfast foods, but…
This homemade coleslaw is absolutely perfect for potlucks, picnics, BBQs, and a simple weeknight dinner! Everyone absolutely loves it!! Looking for more amazing salads? You’ll love my pineapple coleslaw, Asian coleslaw, andcarrot salad!
If you love KFC as much as I do, try my KFC Famous Bowl Casserole for dinner tonight! You won’t be sorry. ♥
KFC Coleslaw Recipe Ingredients
- Shredding Cabbage – The original KFC coleslaw recipe uses shredded and chopped cabbage. The individual pieces are about the size of rice pieces. I’ve made this recipe many times and chopped my own cabbage and carrots.
- When I make the coleslaw this way, I generally use my food processor to shred the cabbage, then I run my knife through it to chop it. Now, more often than not, I prefer to use the bags of coleslaw cut cabbage from the market. It makes this recipe so much faster and easier to put together.
- Onion – I think grating the onion is really important for this recipe. No matter how finely you chop the onion, it never seems quite small enough to me for this recipe.
- I use the small side of the box grater and it’s perfect. If you use the large holes on the grater the onion can come out in strands and that just doesn’t work at all! Who wants a long strand of raw onion in their coleslaw??? Not me my friend 🙂
- Sugar – You only use a little bit but it’s an important ingredient. Don’t skip it!
- Mayonnaise – I use Best Foods.
- Buttermilk – Gives the slaw its signature tang.
Tips + Tricks
- Secret Ingredient – The secret ingredient that gives this is authentic taste is the grated onion! Not chopped or minced it needs to be grated!
- Chill Time – Don’t skip this step! It’s super important to give the KFC slaw recipe time in the refrigerator for the flavors to mingle and marry.
- Keep It Cold – The flavor is best when this is served cold, rather than at room temperature.
- How To Serve – This recipe makes a very wet coleslaw. Just serve it with a slotted spoon and discard the extra liquid after all the slaw is gone. It needs to be tossed each time before you serve it so it’s nice and creamy each time.
- Serving Size – The copycat KFC coleslaw I adapted this from said it served 10 people. What? I guess it could serve 10 if they wanted 1/8 to maybe 1/4 of a cup. This recipe is so delicious that a small quantity really won’t be enough! In my family, one recipe serves 4 generously. If I try to serve 5 people with just one recipe, someone always feels cheated and ends up a little unhappy.
- Maybe in your family, it will serve 5-6, but 4 is definitely safe. It’s easy enough to double the recipe. Honestly, that’s what I always do!
Storing + Freezing Tips
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the fridge.
- Can You Freeze This?Unfortunately, this delicious Kentucky fried chicken coleslaw recipe just doesn’t freeze well.
- Make-Ahead Tips: When making this coleslaw, remember to plan ahead for at least 3-4 hours of refrigeration time.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
What To Serve With KFC Coleslaw Recipe
As I said above, this goes well with most main dishes. It’s great with my shish kabobs, grilled flank steak, and grilled cilantro lime chicken.
I also like to serve it on top of a pulled pork sandwich or a pulled chicken sandwich.
More Great Salad Recipes
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
- Three Bean Salad
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Mexican Corn Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Mediterranean Salad
- Grape Salad
- 1905 Salad
Tried This Recipe?
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KFC Coleslaw Recipe
This is an amazing copycat version of the famous KFC Coleslaw Recipe. It’s sweet, a little tangy, and creamy! My all-time favorite coleslaw recipe!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Kathleen
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon onion finely grated
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup buttermilk well shaken
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 cups or 1-16 ounce bag coleslaw cabbage finely diced
- 1/4 cup carrot shredded (omit if you're using bagged coleslaw mix)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together the first 9 ingredients until smooth and well combined. Add cabbage (8 cups) and carrot (1/4 cup) and mix until evenly coated.
Cover bowl and refrigerate 4 hours minimum or overnight. Stir well before serving.
Fans Also Made:
Asian Coleslaw
Southern Collard Greens Recipe
Southern Style Green Beans
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Notes
- Secret Ingredient - The secret ingredient that gives this is authentic taste is the grated onion! Not chopped or minced it needs to be grated!
- Chill Time - Don't skip this step! It's super important to give the KFC slaw recipe time in the refrigerator for the flavors to mingle and marry.
- Keep It Cold - The flavor is best when this is served cold, rather than at room temperature.
- How To Serve - This recipe makes a very wet coleslaw. Just serve it with a slotted spoon and discard the extra liquid after all the slaw is gone. It needs to be tossed each time before you serve it so it’s nice and creamy each time.
- Serving Size - The recipe I adapted this from said it served 10 people. What? I guess it could serve 10 if they wanted 1/8 to maybe 1/4 of a cup. This recipe is so delicious that a small quantity really won’t be enough! In my family, one recipe serves 4 generously. If I try to serve 5 people with just one recipe, someone always feels cheated and ends up a little unhappy.
- Maybe in your family, it will serve 5-6, but 4 is definitely safe. It’s easy enough to double the recipe. Honestly, that’s what I always do!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 522mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 1540IU | Vitamin C: 55.4mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 0.7mg
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Kandice says
I have tried other “copycat” KFC recipes and was never satisfied with how it came out. I didn’t leave out any ingredients and made this exactly as instructed and let me tell you this is the BEST one out there. To me it even tastes better than kfc slaw. I mess up cole slaw almost every time somehow until I found this recipe. I’d say don’t omit the buttermilk or onion. I chop my cabbage super small and it takes forever but is so worth it as I just don’t like huge strands that comes in the premixed stuff. I bought buttermilk powder this time and will try this again using that, I used regular real buttermilk last time but threw out the whole jug. Fingers crossed its the same delicious outcome. Thanks for an amazing recipe I’ll make this over and over. I like to slow cook a Boston butt and eat this with pulled pork sandwiches feeds us for days and I never tire of cole slaw with pork bbq. My favorite and this is definitely a keeper, finally the perfect slaw recipe!!! Use real mayo folks! I prefer miracle whip but this is something you have to use regular mayo on or you will mess it up!!
Reply
Kathleen says
Kandice, I’m so happy you enjoyed the coleslaw as much as we do! Thanks for rating the recipe and leaving a honest review!!
Reply
Don Banks says
I’ve made this many times with various “Better than KFC ” recipes. Some will say Apple Cider Vinegar, some will say use Miracle Whip instead of mayo, but I’ve never seen one with emphasis on ‘grated’ onion. Wished I had a way of doing that to protect my old worn-out knuckles ! So glad you showed us this, will try to give you a fresh update on it. I’m a big slaw fan, never understand will some restaurants, even expensive ones, just throw out cabbage and carrots and bury them in mayonnaisse. A lot of people don’t even care about how their slaw is prepared, it’s just an afterthought to them. I love slaw on my hot dogs and I always have slaw with my southern fried catfish I make. Thanks.
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Kathleen says
Hi, Don! Thanks so much for the feedback! I use a large onion to grate so my hands are far away from the grater, then use the remaining onion for other recipes later.
Fish and slaw are the best, right? 🙂Reply
Z says
Ok, I’m obsessed. I have made this a number of times. I can even mess up salad BTW….so. The recipe is perfect. The longer it chills/sits the better it gets. I have accidentally used heavy cream instead of buttermilk as well as omitted lemon when I didn’t have it. Good either way… but best if you actually follow the recipe 🤣 I’ve been using bagged coleslaw as I’ve been finding it on sale for 99¢ a bag (maybe I never noticed it before having this recipe). Try it. You won’t be disappointed!
Reply
Kathleen says
Thanks, Z! Those are called happy accidents hehe. I’m glad you like this and thank you for the feedback!
Reply
jim skeen says
how long will it stay good . I haven’t added it to the cabbage yet . just made it & put it in the fridge
Reply
Kathleen says
Hi, Jim. Coleslaws should be kept and airtight container, and can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days. Disregard if there are any changes in odor, taste, or appearance.
Reply
Bonnie Strege says
It looks delicious- I haven’t tried it yet!!
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Kathleen says
Yaaay! Enjoy 🙂
Reply
J Sullivan says
My favorite coleslaw recipe ever! I made it exactly as listed, no additions and it was so good. Might try a teensy bit of horseradish next time, I will make this again!
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Kathleen says
Yaaay! I’m glad you like this coleslaw 🙂
Reply
Michele Coleman says
A little bit of freshly grated horseradish would be wonderful! I also like this recipe with a 1/4 tsp Celery salt or ground Celery seeds. Yummy! Great recipe! Glad I found it! Thanks for posting this recipe!
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C Terhune says
Having worked at a KFC franchise for many years, I can assure you that the “secret ingredient” IS the touch of horseradish. Yes, onion must be finely grated. Just vinegar, lemon juice, and mayo to make the “dressing”. All the other milk is wasteful and UNNECESSARY. Do not forget the sugar.
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Dani says
This is a great recipe. I’ve been using it for years. The only thing I do differently is I use a fine grater (a parmesean grater) and I add one and a half shredded radishes. I think it’s the secret ingredient. No one can ever put there finger on it! Thanks for sharing. This truly is the best copy cat recipe!
Reply
Serena M Wallmann says
I doubled the dressing ingredients to coat the cabbage and used approximately 10 cups of cabbage it was The Best coleslaw ever
Reply
Kathleen says
Wow that’s amazing! Thanks, Serena 🙂
Reply
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