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!!
Try my delicious Asian coleslaw next. Looking for more delicious side dishes? You’ll love my Southern green beans, roasted broccoli, and twice baked potatoes (they’re incredible!)
KFC Coleslaw Video Tutorial
Ingredient You’ll Need
- 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 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!
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 Copycat Recipe
As I said above, this goes well with most main dishes. It’s great with my shish kabobs, grilled flank steak, and my grilled cilantro lime chicken. I also like to serve it on top of a pulled pork sandwich or a pulled chicken sandwich.
More Yummy Side Dish Recipes
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!
Servings: 4 Servings
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
- Looking for a low carb coleslaw recipe? The Little Pine has one!
- 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.
- 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.
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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My husband is so picky. I’ve made this recipe 4 times now because he labeled it “a keeper”. I’m making it again tonight for a family Labor Day bbq by request.
So easy to make, I never would have guessed onion was the key to that sweet KFC flavor. Thank you for sharing this!
Hi, Sheila! That’s so awesome! I’m glad you all like this. Happy Labor Day! 🙂
How long will this keep. Making for a wedding. Lots of guest
Hi Cherrie. According to Still Tasty, 3-5 days. I think I’d only make it 2 days ahead. Here’s the link to Still Tasty
This recipe is amazing I have used it many times
Thank you so much, Vivian! 🙂
Loved it. Put too many onions in but absolutely loved it ?
Thank you, Teresa! 🙂
BEST COLESLAW EVER!!!
From 2 slaw snobs?
Thank you so much, Gina!
I can’t wait to try this!!! maybe on July 4th!!!!! Right beside my Potato Salad <3
That’s perfect, Rebecca! Thank you 🙂
yes! good recipie i add dill relish to ours
That’s perfect, bb!
Thank you for featuring my recipe! 🙂
Delicious! My guests could not get enough of this delicious slaw. Very easy to make.
Thanks, Jan! 😀
Just checked in and saw your delicious recipe for creamy cole slaw. I have used this recipe twice in the last 6 months. Our church prepares dinner once a month for 60 to 70 seniors many that are homebound. The feedback for the coleslaw was great. The nice aspect of your site is the ease to change up portions. I use the 20 people then only have to times by 4! LOL Saves us a lot of time. Thanks again. Maureen Coughlin
That’s so amazing, Maureen! 😀 Glad to hear it’s a big hit with your folks!
Delicious and easy! My husband said, “I love it!”
That’s awesome, Stephanie! 😀 Glad to hear that your hubby likes it!
Since I first made this my family requests it at every barbecue It is fantastic!
Way to go, Anne! 😀
Deliciosa!!!
Thanks, Vilma! 😀
Really good coleslaw. Thanks Kathleen! Thumbs up all the way! Let’s gooo! This is sooooo good!
Glad you liked it, Squash! 😀
I use this recipe and everyone raves about it! Easy and so good. I would not change a thing.
That’s awesome, Carol! Glad everyone loved it! 😀
Can you substitute something for the onion. Half tablespoon of shredded onion? Onion powder maybe? Seems like a waste for poor onion! 🙂
Sorry, but not really.
Well was still delicious without the onion. I just put in a pinch of onion powder to cheat. Great stuff thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Scott! 😀
Hi! I like to use chives.
Hi, Julie! I haven’t tried this with chives, but that sounds perfect! Enjoy 🙂
I have been making the same (but very different from this KFC) cole slaw recipe for 40+ years.
Everyone loved it. I was ok with it but I have always loved KFC’s. When I saw this recipe a month ago, I made it and have made it twice weekly since. I shared with my darling daughter-in-law twice but she said the family loved it so much, she started making it herself and doubling the recipe. It is a keeper and the fact that my husband who LOVED my original recipe said don’t bother making it anymore, is the true measure of this recipe’s greatness. Oh yes, I made 5 copies of this recipe so I can be sure I won’t misplace it!
Jo Anne, I so glad you and your family enjoyed!
Thank you for this recipe! I made it to go along with our fried catfish & spaghetti dinner. It really does get even better as it sits in frig. I was told it was more delicious than KFC’s coleslaw. This will be a must-have during bbq season. I cant wait to try some of your other recipes. Stay well!
Thanks, Michelle! 😀
Thank you, Lindsy! 🙂
Thank you for including our recipe! 🙂