KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (2024)

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!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (1)

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 dill pickle pasta salad,carrot salad,and tuna macaroni 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 {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (2)

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.

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (3)

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

  • 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?

Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Save Recipe!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (4)

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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)

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

  • Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

  • Southern Collard Greens Recipe

  • Southern Style Green Beans

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Notes

  1. Secret Ingredient - The secret ingredient that gives this is authentic taste is the grated onion! Not chopped or minced it needs to be grated!
  2. 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.
  3. Keep It Cold - The flavor is best when this is served cold, rather than at room temperature.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I'D LOVE TO SEE!Tag @GonnaWantSeconds or #gonnawantseconds on Instagram!

© Gonna Want Seconds. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media/website/blog is strictly prohibited.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (9)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

    • KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (10)Kathleen says

      Thanks, Z! Those are called happy accidents hehe. I’m glad you like this and thank you for the feedback!

      Reply

  2. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (11)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

    • KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (12)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

  3. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (13)Bonnie Strege says

    It looks delicious- I haven’t tried it yet!!

    Reply

    • KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (14)Kathleen says

      Yaaay! Enjoy 🙂

      Reply

  4. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (15)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!

    Reply

    • KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (16)Kathleen says

      Yaaay! I’m glad you like this coleslaw 🙂

      Reply

  5. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (17)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

    • KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (18)Kathleen says

      Wow that’s amazing! Thanks, Serena 🙂

      Reply

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KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (2024)

FAQs

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

What is the dressing made of in coleslaw? ›

What Is Coleslaw Dressing Made Of? This creamy, mayo-based dressing uses ingredients you likely have on hand: sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and of course, mayonnaise. The resulting dressing is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and peppery!

What can I add to store bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›

<br/><br/>Adding horse radish or onion or celery seeds or bacon bits or some other tasty flavors to make it your own is a really good idea.

What is the most unhealthy thing at KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

Does KFC coleslaw contain mayonnaise? ›

KFC Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients:

Miracle Whip – the key to the KFC coleslaw recipe is to use Miracle Whip in place of traditional mayonnaise. This has been confirmed by an ex-employee who says that KFC makes their coleslaw with Miracle Whip and not mayonnaise.

How many days is KFC coleslaw good for? ›

Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers

Then combine for a fresh batch. How long does KFC Coleslaw last in the fridge? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days. Always stir before serving.

Why does KFC keep getting rid of popcorn chicken? ›

It's a tactical effort by the fast food company to streamline the menu. Not all of these items were available at every location, and after gathering data on which items performed well in sales, these were the ones determined to be nixed from menus, KFC U.S. Director Brittany Wilson told USA Today.

What is Mexican coleslaw made of? ›

Easy Mexican Coleslaw recipe- great side dish for cookouts, potlucks, and picnics. Coleslaw, bell peppers, diced tomatoes and green chiles, black beans, corn, jalapeño peppers, and cilantro tossed in a creamy lime dressing. Only takes a few minutes to make and packs tons of great flavor!

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

CABBAGE, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, EGG YOLKS [EGG YOLKS, SALT], HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD [WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SPICES], WATER, SALT), FRUCTOSE, SUGAR, CARROTS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GLUCONO DELTA LACTONE, PEA FIBER, ERYTHORBIC ACID (TO ...

How do you keep coleslaw from getting watery? ›

With the shredded cabbage in a colander, mix in a tablespoon of salt per head of cabbage till it's evenly distributed. The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness. After letting it sit for an hour or two, rinse it with water to remove the salt.

How do you reduce the bitterness in coleslaw? ›

For every 2 cups of sliced cabbage, mix it with about a teaspoon of salt. Kenji Lopez- Alt also found it was beneficial to add a teaspoon of sugar too. Both salt and sugar promote osmosis, which draws out any water from the cabbage. And the sugar can balance out some of the bitterness in the cabbage.

Why can't you freeze coleslaw? ›

It depends on your coleslaw if it will freeze or not. Hence, the process of freezing is not as simple as you might expect. The coleslaw that is coated in mayonnaise will not freeze well, as it tends to split. Therefore, if you want to freeze coleslaw, you can store the one with oil and vinegar-based dressing.

Why does coleslaw go bad so quickly? ›

Like the cabbage, these veggie add-ins can also become breeding grounds for bacteria when left unrefrigerated. Coleslaw dressing often includes vinegar that acidulates the mixture, making it a less hospitable environment for those pesky bacteria. But unfortunately, it's not enough to halt bacterial growth completely.

What are the benefits of KFC coleslaw? ›

It's low in calories, high in vitamin C, and loved by many for its creamy and tangy flavor. With KFC coleslaw, you can enjoy a guilt-free and versatile side dish that's gluten-free, low in cholesterol, and rich in antioxidants. It's a colorful, crunchy, and healthy addition to any meal.

Why is KFC original recipe so good? ›

KFC Uses A Special Signature Blend Of Herbs And Spices

A big part of what makes KFC's chicken so tasty is its highly coveted blend of herbs and spices. The restaurant's chicken is savory and herbaceous with lingering notes of pepper. The flavoring is simple but it hits all the right notes.

Why does KFC taste better cold? ›

Those who eschewed heating up their chilled chicken in favor of chowing down right away would have seen how the chicken's breading remained crisp while the interior deepened in flavor. When fried chicken starts to cool down, the skin contracts and bonds itself to the meat.

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