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)

US Customary - Metric

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)Don Banks says

    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.

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

      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? 🙂

      Reply

  2. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (11)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 (12)Kathleen says

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

      Reply

  3. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (13)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 (14)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

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

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

    Reply

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

      Yaaay! Enjoy 🙂

      Reply

  5. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (17)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 (18)Kathleen says

      Yaaay! I’m glad you like this coleslaw 🙂

      Reply

  6. KFC Coleslaw Recipe {Best Copycat!} Gonna Want Seconds (19)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 (20)Kathleen says

      Wow that’s amazing! Thanks, Serena 🙂

      Reply

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

FAQs

What is KFC coleslaw made of? ›

KFC coleslaw has a sweet and tangy taste with a creamy texture. The coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions, and is dressed with a sweet and tangy dressing that includes vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices.

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!

How long does KFC coleslaw last in the fridge? ›

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. The longer it sits, the more soupy it gets.

Does KFC coleslaw contain milk? ›

The coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions, and is dressed with a sweet and tangy dressing that includes vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices. The dressing also includes mayonnaise and buttermilk, which gives the coleslaw its creamy texture.

Does KFC coleslaw contain horseradish? ›

The ORIGINAL original KFC Coleslaw had a little horseradish in it - you can try about 1-½ teaspoons if you remember that version.

What is KFC discontinuing? ›

Yahoo Finance reports, the soon-to-be discontinued items include Kentucky Fried Chicken Wings, Popcorn Chicken Combo, Nashville Hot Sauce, Strawberry Lemonade, and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Why did Chick Fil A get rid of coleslaw? ›

"But as our sales volumes grew, it just wasn't feasible to keep adding to the menu without taking anything away." Chick-fil-A cut cole slaw from the menu in January to make room for a new "superfood" side of kale and broccolini in a maple vinaigrette dressing.

Is there a KFC secret menu? ›

2. Click on the menu icon (the chicken drumstick) at the bottom, then swipe down and hold for about 10 seconds. 3. A red rectangle with a picture of Colonel Sanders will fade in, first saying “SSSHHH” then inviting you to unlock the secret menu – click on it to unlock it!

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

The real difference is that the raw, chopped vegetables in coleslaw are primarily cabbage: Napa, red, savoy, or bok choy. Slaw without the cole can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage, including chopped or shredded broccoli, carrots, snow peas, jicama, and more.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Apple cider or white wine vinegars would also be acceptable as there would only be a slight change to the sauce's flavor. A dark vinegar like red wine or sherry might taste good but you couldn't expect the sauce to have the same flavor as the real version.

How long does homemade coleslaw last? ›

Assuming that you're storing your coleslaw in the refrigerator — and haven't taken it out for a stretch of time and put it back in — coleslaw can safely last up to five days. However, it's important to remember that this is the maximum amount of time it should be kept.

Can you eat 3 day old KFC? ›

No more than 3–4 days. After this you run the risk of food poisoning! Now you can wrap it tin foil or place it in an airtight container, then freeze it if you wish to save for a later date. Just remember always practice good food safety.

Is coleslaw from KFC healthy? ›

KFC coleslaw contains a moderate amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates. It also provides some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and vitamin K. However, it is important to note that KFC coleslaw is high in sodium and sugar, which can be a concern for those on a restricted diet.

Can I eat day old KFC? ›

If, to you, fresh means “safe to eat,” the answer is 3 to 4 days. However, if you associate freshness with flavor and texture, Day 1 Fridge KFC probably tastes a lot fresher than Day 4 Fridge KFC. Both are safe by FDA standards, though.

Is KFC still using cabbage? ›

KFC outlets, excluding those in the Northern Territory and South Australia, currently uses a 60/40 blend of lettuce and cabbage – but this will soon no longer be necessary, O'Malley said. “The crop got decimated. We do think it's short term in nature,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Is KFC coleslaw any good? ›

It stands unrivaled as cabbage's crowning achievement. There's nothing like KFC's slaw. It looks different, tastes different and crunches different in your mouth. It has a zing you just won't find in the supermarket deli.

Why is KFC using cabbage instead of lettuce? ›

KFC says change is due to a lettuce shortage after floods destroyed crops in New South Wales and Queensland. The fried chicken chain KFC has been forced to make menu changes in its burgers and wraps in Australia as the country faces the consequences of floods that destroyed lettuce crops.

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