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. ♥
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.
And most of all, this is perfect with KFC famous bowl casserole!
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
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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
- 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.
I’m totally sure this is fantastic! Your approach to making posts is always amazing and yummy! Thanks a bunch for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much, James!
I would rather be anonymous, as a former KFC gal. The subtle onion is dehydrated onion that is rehydrated in water and you are right that it’s very little and blended in the dressing.. There’s no lemon juice and no milks, only oil, mayonaise, apple cider vinegar and sugar. I could make it in my sleep even after 40 years.
Tried it and family raved. Ty for the recipe. Will be making copies for family members. And a staple weekly with our meals. Love from Iowa
So Happy this was a hit for you too, Bonnie!!
Never left a review for any recipe. But I had to for this. Absolutely perfect recipe. I loathe any premade coleslaws from most diners or eateries. This was just perfect and went great with pulled pork sandwiches. Thank you for the deliciousness. You have a fan.
Wow, thank you so much Stephanie! I’m glad you found a coleslaw that you like 🙂
I’ve been searching for many things in my life, but now I can stop searching for a coleslaw recipe. This is it! The onions are subtle but they add depth to the flavor. I let them marinate in the vinegar and lemon juice for 15 minutes to tame the raw flavor. Also, I cut back on the sugar and substituted apple cider vinegar for the white vinegar. Works great as a side dish or a topping on pulled pork sandwiches.
So happy you found your recipe for coleslaw, Len! I love your tweaks!
This is the BEST coleslaw recipe I’ve ever made!! I’d like to make it for our family reunion this summer to serve with pulled pork sandwiches. Expecting about 75 people. Do you have this recipe converted for larger crowds?
Hi, Diane! Wow, I haven’t tried this for a big crowd. I only tried doubling this.
I guess this recipe could serve 10 if they wanted 1/8 to maybe 1/4 of a cup.
Double batch this recipe for 1/8 or 1/4 cup serving, that’s for 20 people already.
Make 4 double batch. I hope this helps!
This was so good that now that I’ve made it I can’t make another coleslaw recipe. I’ve made it three times in the last two weeks because we liked it that much. I follow the recipe, no changes. Thank you for such a delicious coleslaw!
Thanks so much, Renee! So happy you enjoyed this coleslaw!
Mmmnnnn…just delicious😋! I’m ruining my appetite as I can’t stop “tasting” this🤣😂
I’ve been looking for the perfect coleslaw recipe for years. My wife tasted it and said it’s the most perfectly balanced coleslaw she’s ever tasted and I agree. I went a little heavy on the grated onion but one Tbsp would have been just right.
Thanks, Kathleen.
Oh, Gene, so happy this is the recipe you were looking for!!
I love coleslaw and this is the best recioe that I’ve come across. The flavor is the best and the buttermilk is a must.I do like celery seed so I add 1 tsp.
Wow, thank you so much, Dottie! I love your tweak too 🙂
Perfect. Love this! I still cut the sugar in half, follow the tips and instructions otherwise. We use it with our pulled pork sliders, so wonderful and healthier than store bought. I like knowing what’s in my food. Thank you!
Hi, Su! Yes, this is so perfect with pulled pork. I’m happy you like this! Thank you for the positive review 🙂
Very close to KFC and maybe even better! I grate the cabbage with the Cuisinart medium disc and the carrot and onion with the fine shredding disc. Perfect texture. I used a fresh organic cabbage and organic carrots and fresh buttermilk. I do find that there is no substitute for the fresh buttermilk here but yogurt would come closest.
This receipt is great! I used powdered Buttermilk mix, and substituted 8 packets of Equal for the sugar, and it will STILL identical to the old KFC I remember. Really really good, and super-easy!
That’s fantastic! Thank you for sharing your version 🙂
I have already made this two times since I got the recipe last month. Really delicious and easy. Definitely a sure thing! Thank you! My husband hit it with a drop or two of hot sauce.
Thanks, Sharon! Adding spiciness is a great idea! 🙂
Very good!
Love them all great ideas to try and enjoy Thanks
Thank you too, Jack!
One of my favorite slaws is the one from KFC. This “copycat” version comes very very close. Regardless of whether you think it does or not, it is a recipe and coleslaw worth your time to make. Enjoy!!
Thank you, Jim! 🙂
Any chance u can help me find an older BQ recipe I loved and lost
Hi, Jackie. Is this the recipe you’re looking for? https://www.gonnawantseconds.com/barbecued-smoked-ribs/
Thx for the formula. I used what I had on hand to create the creamy sauce. I receive church donations, ( Last batch) so make do or do without and only had doz 1/2 gal fat free pink milk, so I needed a butter milk kinda taste so substituted 1 c greek yogurt curd without the whey, 1 Tbsp wine vinegar & 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbsp grated onion, with 1/3 c zulka cane sugar, 1/2 c whole mayo, one tsp garlic, one tsp horseradish and s/p. Mixed till sugar dissolved. Tossed in the tri-colored deli coleslaw, let rest over night. Hmm so good, taste so yummy.
Glad it worked out Sparkkel!
Absolutely the best. This will be a favorite
Thank you! 🙂
Made it and came out great. Didn’t have buttermilk so replaced with double cream yoghourt. No problem… 😄
Sounds great, Costa!