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If you’ve ever craved that famous KFC coleslaw—sweet, tangy, and oh-so-creamy—you’re going to love this homemade version. This copycat KFC coleslaw recipe tastes just like the real thing (maybe even better!) and comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
With finely chopped cabbage, a touch of onion, and a perfectly balanced creamy dressing, it’s the ultimate side dish for fried chicken, BBQ, or just about any comfort food meal. Trust me—once you try it, this will be your go-to coleslaw recipe for every potluck, picnic, and family dinner.
This homemade coleslaw is perfect for potlucks, picnics, BBQs, or even a simple weeknight dinner—everyone always goes back for seconds! 🥗 Looking for more fresh, crave-worthy sides? Try my pineapple coleslaw, Asian coleslaw, and carrot salad! And if you’re a KFC fan like me, don’t miss my cozy KFC Famous Bowl Casserole—it’s pure comfort in a dish. ♥ Let’s make this slaw!
Let’s make this slaw!
Why This Recipe Works
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Spot-On Copycat Flavor: This KFC coleslaw copycat recipe nails the balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy that makes the original so famous.
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Simple & Accessible: Everyday pantry staples—mayonnaise, sugar, buttermilk, and fresh lemon juice—come together in minutes.
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Authentic Texture & Taste: Finely chopped cabbage gives it that classic consistency, while finely grated onion adds subtle savory depth.
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Better the Next Day: Just like the restaurant version, the flavors meld beautifully as it chills, making it even tastier after resting overnight.
Before You Start
✨ Chill Time Matters: This coleslaw tastes best after at least 4 hours in the fridge—overnight is even better.
✅ Finely Chop the Cabbage: For authentic texture, chop cabbage into rice-sized pieces. Skip long shreds!
🥕 Bagged Mix Option: Save time with pre-shredded coleslaw mix—just omit the carrot if it’s already included.
🥛 Buttermilk is Key: Don’t skip it! Buttermilk gives the dressing its signature tangy creaminess.
🍋 Fresh Lemon Juice: Always squeeze fresh—it makes a big difference.
✨ Food Safety: For more information on food safety, please visit this link.
KFC COLESLAW RECIPE INGREDIENTS
- Cabbage: Finely diced (about rice-sized). Use a food processor + knife, or save time with a bag of coleslaw mix.
- Carrot: Just a little for color—skip if you’re using a mix that already includes it.
- Onion: Grated finely for subtle flavor without harsh chunks.
- Sugar: A small amount for that classic sweetness.
- Mayonnaise: I love Best Foods for the richest flavor.
- Buttermilk & Whole Milk: Give creaminess and authentic tang.
- White Vinegar: Brings the sharpness that balances the sweet.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Brighter and fresher than bottled.
- Salt & Pepper: Simple seasoning that ties everything together.
Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead
Storing
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Make-Ahead
- Perfect for prepping the night before! In fact, the flavor improves as it chills.
Freezing
- Not recommended—the mayo dressing separates and the cabbage loses its crunch when thawed.
What to Serve With KFC Coleslaw
KFC Coleslaw is the ultimate side dish that pairs with just about everything! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
Classic Comfort Food Pairings
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Fried chicken or smothered chicken is the obvious match—crispy, juicy, and perfect with a creamy slaw. Try my Air Fryer Chicken for a lighter twist. We love it with our Swiss steak, American goulash, or American chop suey!
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Pile it next to Pulled Pork Sandwiches, crockpot BBQ pulled chicken, steak sandwiches, French dip, , or barbecue smoked ribs for a backyard-style feast.
Fresh + Crisp Combos
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Balance out rich mains like Sloppy Joes, Salisbury steak, steak chili, or million dollar spaghetti with this cool, tangy side.
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Add it to Steak Tacos for that crunchy, creamy bite.
Crowd-Pleasing Favorites
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Serve with Southern cornbread, Cracker Barrel cornbread, Southern style green beans, BBQ baked beans, crockpot baked beans, grape salad, three bean salad, best way to cook corn on the cob, smoked gouda mac and cheese, or baked macaroni and cheese for the ultimate picnic spread.
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Pair with Grilled Burgers, air fryer turkey burgers, or air fryer hot dogs—coleslaw is always welcome at the cookout!
HOW TO MAKE KFC COLESLAW
- Whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth.
- In a large bowl, toss dressing with cabbage and carrot.
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Cover bowl and refrigerate for 4 hours minimum or overnight. Stir well before serving.
***See the full instructions below.
MORE GREAT SALAD RECIPES
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Mediterranean Salad
- Grape Salad
- 1905 Salad
MORE KFC COPYCAT RECIPES
Tried This Recipe?
I’d love to hear what you think! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you tried this KFC coleslaw recipe, please leave a review below—it means so much and it helps our community of readers. And don’t forget to subscribe to our free weekly email for cozy, crave-worthy recipes delivered straight to your inbox!
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!
I Make This Recipe
ALL The Time, EVERYONE KEEPS ASKING
FOR IT, EVEN SHARE THIS RECIPE TO
A Hundred People.
Women’s Clubs
Church Groups
Family And Friends.
Like I Said,EVERYONE.
Thank You So Much For This RECIPE. ❤️
So happy this recipe has been such a big hit for you, Sharon! Thanks for leaving this comment and the 5 star rating!
Can I use salad dressing instead of mayo?
Sure you can Linda. It won’t have the same taste as our recipe and it won’t have the same taste as KFC’s. It’ll be it’s own thing.
I’ve made this several times, rare because I hardly ever make coleslaw…almost always buy pre-made from the deli dept. This recipe is the BEST! My husband and I were “just sampling” and ended up eating the 1st bowl in a single sitting. I had made it to serve at a potluck so had to make another batch. The only change I made was replacing the whole milk with more Buttermilk. I’ll never buy pre-made again especially, since it’s such a simple, easy-to-prep recipe. Thanks so much!!
Patty I’m so happy this coleslaw was a hit in your home! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and a 5-star rating!!
Delicious 😋! Tastes just like the real thing! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
Cecilia, you’re so very welcome. Thanks for leaving a comment and the 5 star rating!!
I’ve made this coleslaw many times now and it’s so good it’s become a part of our dinner rotation. I have altered the recipe to a healthy version.
I’m from the Netherlands and instead of a full fat mayonnaise I use a 5% fat version, instead of sugar I use an artificial sweetener (something like Splenda) and instead of full fat milk I use half. It’s just as delicious, minus the calories.
My husband and I absolutely love it 😀😋
Made minor adjustments. Perfection. Deleted milk Used swerve for sugar. Got a bit too much in cabbage so increased vinegar slightly.
That sounds awesome, Paddy! Thanks for the positive feedback and rating 🙂
This is a great recipe. Tastes like old times!
Yaaay! Thanks, Rachel 🙂 I’m glad you like this coleslaw!
Easy 5 star. Made it twice now. So good. The only thing I changed the second time was dialing back the vinegar slightly. Its better than KFC. I Love this recipe!
So glad you love this recipe! That makes my day!! Thanks for leaving a comment and for the 5 star rating!
This is spot on to KFC. I made this to go with a Carolina smoked pork shoulder that was pulled to make sandwiches and this Slaw was the crown of the sandwiches. Everyone loved it. Thank you for another great recipe. 👍
That made us hungry! LOL. Thank you so much, I’m so happy it was a hit! Thanks for the feedback and rating 🙂
I pulsed the bag of coleslaw mix in my food processor so it would be chopped like KFC’s. This recipe is exactly like KFC’s! Love it and made twice this week. Only substitution was Monk Fruit sweetener in lieu of sugar to cut calories. Thanks for sharing this one!
Hi, Page! Yaaay, I’m so happy you like this coleslaw! Thanks for the positive feedback and rating 🙂
Perfect 9.99 score. i love kfc slaw and your recipe hit the bulls eye!!!!! thank you!!!!
Yaay! Thanks, Matthew! I’m glad this coleslaw was a hit 🙂
OMG Thank you so much. This is absolutely perfect.
Enjoy! 🙂
This recipe is perfect
It’s the real deal. I used a bag of coleslaw mix and processed with a few pulses. You’ll never want another recipe.
Thanks so much for the 5 star review, George! I’m so glad you like this recipe!
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!!
Kandice, I’m so happy you enjoyed the coleslaw as much as we do! Thanks for rating the recipe and leaving a honest review!!
I use powered Buttermilk and keep the container in my refrigerator. This way I can make what I need and not waste anything. Thank you for this recipe! I love KFC Cole slaw and this is pretty darn close. I have made this numerous times now and it never lasts past the meal I make it for. ❤️
Great tip Jaz! Thanks for leaving a comment and the 5-star rating. It really helps our community 🙂
The powered buttermilk works perfectly.
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.
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? 🙂
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!
Thanks, Z! Those are called happy accidents hehe. I’m glad you like this and thank you for the feedback!
how long will it stay good . I haven’t added it to the cabbage yet . just made it & put it in the fridge
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.
It looks delicious- I haven’t tried it yet!!
Yaaay! Enjoy 🙂
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!
Yaaay! I’m glad you like this coleslaw 🙂
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!
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.
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!
I doubled the dressing ingredients to coat the cabbage and used approximately 10 cups of cabbage it was The Best coleslaw ever
Wow that’s amazing! Thanks, Serena 🙂