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’t love KFC Coleslaw Recipe? The dressing in this recipe tastes exactly, I mean EXACTLY, like the original in my book! And let’s face it……the dressing is 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 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
- 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! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
KFC Coleslaw Recipe
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:
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!
Troy says
Shocked! Perfect 9/10 would not taste any difference from the KFC blend! Shocked.
* Note: You absolutely MUST refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. I was worried at first. Looked a little yellow, too creamy, and the initial taste was of mayonnaise. But after sitting, it was the perfect color, wetness, smell, and…. TASTE! No hint of the mayonnaise taste was left.
Thank you!
Kathleen says
So glad you enjoyed, Troy!!
Heidi Pazera says
My family has announced my slaw and baked beans are a must for parties!
Lori Smith says
We LOVE this coleslaw recipe! I’ve tried LOTS of them until I finally found this one that we’re super happy with it.
It’s delicious as-is, and it’s also a great base recipe if you’re like us and want your slaw spicy. In case anyone else is interested, this is roughly the ingredient combo I add to give it some kick. I don’t actually measure as much as I eyeball and taste, but I tried to measure today and this is pretty close.
1 heaping tsp prepared horseradish
2 heaping tsp horseradish mustard
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 – 1 tsp Penzy’s California Pepper Blend
1/4 – 1/2 tsp Penzy’s ground chipotle pepper
I keep adding spicy things until it’s got enough zing without destroying the flavor. 😉
Kathleen says
Hi, Lori! I’m glad you like this recipe! And thank you for sharing your tweak!
Rebecca says
Perfect PERFECT coleslaw. The sauce is enough that we easily add 2-bags of shredded coleslaw mix. I get compliments on this every time I make it.
Kathleen says
Hi, Rebecca! Yay, I’m glad it turns out well! It’s the best right? Hehe.
Chris says
I forgot to buy coleslaw dressing at the store for a big family dinner…. needed to be able to put something together with what I had on hand. I am so glad! I will not buy remade coleslaw dressing again! This was sweet and tangy, and went really well with the pulled pork sandwiches that we were having for dinner. This will be a staple at our house!
Chris says
*premade dressing, not REMADE dressing! 🙂
Kathleen says
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that! 🙂
Don La Violette says
Kathleen,
Thank you so much for putting up this recipe, It absolutely taste like KFC I followed your instructions to the T. I am 60 years old and only liked coleslaw from KFC I could never fine the same taste when I bought from supermarkets. I took a chance and googled it and came up your recipe and I was AMAZED on the exact taste. After making it I wanted to try a sample needless to say you must refrigerate at least 4 hours like Kathleen said I left mine over night that is when the magic takes place. So now when I am craving that KFC slaw I will make it myself.
Thank you again for sharing,
Don
Kathleen says
Don, I so happy you enjoyed 🙂
Jackie Garde says
Would using 2% milk instead of whole milk make too big of a difference?
Kathleen says
I think the whole milk makes the dressing a bit richer. For me, 2% doesn’t have enough fat in it <3
Nancy says
Kathleen,
I have now made your recipe THREE TIMES and shared it with my adult son who also loves coleslaw! This is definitely five stars–actually, it’s a 10!! Thanks for sharing.
Kathleen says
Yay, thank you, Nancy! So happy you and your son like it! 🙂
Karen says
The Original KFC coleslaw recipe I had as a child had horseradish in it. KFC changed the recipe and took it out. It’s never been the same.
Kathleen says
Hey Karen. That’s really interesting! I don’t remember that <3
Barbara says
Made this for Christmas Eve, wasn’t expecting it to be as good as KFC it WAS.
I did double up to make sure I had enough for everyone and of course leftovers. It was easy to make and taste great
Kathleen says
Hi, Barbara! Yay, thank you so much! So happy you made this on your Christmas Eve! I love that you made a lot for leftovers! LOL <3 Thanks!
Belinda Borner says
I am diabetic and loved KFC coleslaw. Thank you for posting this! I had to substitute swerve in place of sugar. We all loved this recipe and it was so easy and quick to whip up¡
Kathleen says
Hi Belinda! That makes my day! I’m so happy you and your family enjoyed! <3
jeff Evans says
Thank you by the way.
jeff Evans says
Kathleen, you must have fixed the 1 page printing glitch because i was able to print it on 1 page the first time i tried (within seconds) and im pretty much computer illiterate. It is totally awesome how you can change your serving size to change how many cups of cabbage you use which automatically adjust the proper amount of ingredients. Great recipe. Taste perfect!!
Kathleen says
Thanks so much Jeff <3 Yes, I think everything is finally fixed!
Lindsey says
Can I be your roommate please? Because I want to live as close as possible to your kitchen. You’re amazing!!
Kathleen says
LOL!! Thank you, Lindsey!
betty harrell says
I did Cricket’s recipe last night and it was great! I think I just found my favorite coleslaw recipe. I loved the fresh taste of the 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 3/4 cup of mayonnaise to a package of coleslaw.
Kathleen says
Thanks Betty
Bev says
Hello, I made this recipe for a camping trip and it is beautiful, creamy and delicious. Though I amended a couple things cause some of our people can’t do dairy. It was really simple thank you.
Kathleen says
Hey Bev I’m so happy you liked it! I LOVE this coleslaw recipe too. It’s always a family favorite! <3
Anne Marie Helstrom says
I LOVE your recipe, Betty, closest ever to the KFC slaw I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a few)!
Sarah Kalenda says
Just made this using purple cabbage and it is amazing. Can not wait until it sits in the fridge for a couple of hours for the juices to blend… Yum!
Kathleen says
Sounds delicious and beautiful!
Christina Aleman says
Thank you for posting this recipe.
Jen says
Thank you for taking the time to show us this recipie. Looks delicious!
Kathleen says
🙂
Natasha says
Thank you so much for this recipe!!
It’s amazing!
Kathleen says
You’re so welcome Natasha 🙂
Adrienne says
I worked for KFC as a shift manager while in college. Unless the recipe has changed since then, mayo was not an ingredient on the jar of dressing used by the company. At least not the one I read. It was another well known ingredient. And since I don’t like mayo, I’m going to use that instead when I make mine.
Kathleen says
Hi Adrienne. Honestly, I don’t know what is in the actual KFC recipe. DARN!!! But this recipe tastes so close I hardly can tell the difference. And I can make it at home!!! YAY 😉
Alvin says
The ingredient is Miracle Whip not mayonaise
Kathleen Smith says
Thanks Alvin! I love it made with either <3
Roxie says
I have my doubts about miracle whip, because I can tell that a mile away, and I hate the taste.
Kathleen says
Hi Roxie, it’s funny how people are generally in one camp or the other. Love it or Hate it. I haven’t met many people that are in the middle. Good news, there’s no Miracle Whip in our Coleslaw <3
Yvonne M says
Due to allergies, you don’t see mayo because they have to tell you the individual ingredients in the mayo. It’s often the fat part of the dish. So it’ll be listed as soy bean oil or another neutral oil, eggs, sugar etc in the order of largest amount to smallest ingredients. I hope that makes sense. And I makeThis all the time & it’s excellent!! I totally agree about the grated onion as well!! One item that you can’t leave out is the lemon juice!! It doesn’t have the full taste of it’s left out as well as the buttermilk!! If iI’m out of the buttermilm then I just make my own w/1tsp of white vinegar to 1/2c of milk.
ilk,
Cricket says
This sounds delicious, but very time-consuming. Growing up, some good friends (who owned a KFC franchise) promised me a KFC meal for my birthday. The lady who came over and cooked the meal, showed us how to make coleslaw the easy way, and all my friends always thought it was KFC coleslaw — only better. It only has 3 main ingredients, but you add S & P to taste. it’s 3/4 cup mayo, 1/4 – 1/3 cup honey and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 bag of coleslaw mix – sometimes I add a little garlic powder or even chopped parsley, but I like it with just salt. If you’re short on prep time, this is quick, easy & delicious! As with all coleslaw, it’s better if it has a little time to sit for a while in the refrigerator. I usually make this in a Tupperware bowl that barely hold all the cabbage (which shrinks down a lot) and just shake to mix.
Kathleen says
Hey Cricket! Yours sounds great. I love letting my coleslaw sit for a bit as well.
ANNE Marie Helstrom says
Dear Kathleen and Cricket, I wanted to try Kathleen’s recipe but I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand so thank you, Cricket for sharing your 3 ingredient KFC franchise friend’s coleslaw recipe because I had all those ingredients, put it together and Presto! Even my 8 year old gobbled it down!! Yipee! Vegetables she’ll eat willingly!
I plan on making Kathleen’s gonna- want- second’s for Easter to go with pulled pork sliders so thank you for hosting this forum because it really makes cooking even more fun!
Kathleen says
Hi Anne-Marie! So happy that Crickets recipe saved the day. Thank you Cricket. I love our little community! Your Easter menu sounds Delish <3
Annemarie helstrom says
Haven’t yet made Kathleen’s bas I didn’t have all the ingredients, but I DID make Cricket’s 3 ingredient slaw and it was AWESOME, thanks…now tomorrow I’ll be making Kathleen’s to bring to Easter family supper with my Pulled pork sliders! Thanks ladies!
Kathleen says
I hope you and your family enjoy! <3
sheri Baumann says
If I just want the 1 page with the recipe instead of 12 pages, how can I do this? Thanks , Sheri
Kathleen says
Hey Sheri! OMG I’m having trouble with Plug-Ins!!! If you press no picture/photo on the options before you press print you should get 2 pages. Sorry!!! Trying to fix this so you only get 1 page!
Helen says
Yes! I got eleven pages. Stopped it, copied an pasted what I needed into a one page Word file.
Also – when making fresh slaw it’s really important to wring the excess liquid out of the cabbage. Put the grated cabbage in a hand towel and wring all the liquid out. If there’s a lot you may have to do it in sections. The dry slaw absorbs the dressing.
Kathleen says
Hi Helen. I’m so sorry about that. It’s a glitch in the program that gets fixed, then somehow pops up every once in a while. It’s maddening and we continue to try to fix it! Again,sorry about the inconvenience!
MARIA LUCIA says
ME TOO….. and it is not printing….
Kathleen says
Hi Maria. This problem has been fixed to the best of my knowledge. I just printed it out no problem-only the recipe not any extra pages. Is is possible you have a glitch with your printer?