This KFC Coleslaw Copycat recipe lets you make your restaurant favorite side, right in your kitchen! This slaw is perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks. This recipe is spot on!
We have our restaurant favorites, like my Cheddar Bay Biscuits. It's always fun to make them at home from scratch! We serve the coleslaw with Slow Cooker Baked Beans and Air Fryer Fried Chicken.
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Why This Recipe Works
Last weekend, we kicked off the summer with our annual BBQ Bash! There were ribs on the grill, corn on the cob, and coleslaw in the bowls. There were s'mores and sticky fingers and lots of fun and laughter! We live in Kansas and as true mid-westerners, we love our BBQ. And no BBQ dinner is served without coleslaw. Especially this one: the best copycat recipe of the famous KFC coleslaw!
My Hubby takes pride in his ribs (baby back, beef, short ribs - any kind) and has his technique down to perfection. I take care of the sides and dessert. This coleslaw took me a while to perfect. I discovered two secret ingredients that gave it that specific flavor: sugar and onion!
Many of our friends have said that this coleslaw is better than the original, from the restaurant. Now that is a reason to make it all summer long!
Ingredients:
To make the coleslaw you will need:
- cabbage: you will need about ½ of a medium green cabbage; use a food processor to shred it if you can;
- carrots: I used just one carrot but feel free to add more to your preferences;
- onion: it gives the slaw that characteristic flavor; it's the secret ingredient!
- mayonnaise: makes the dressing creamy and tangy;
- milk: necessary to thin out the dressing;
- buttermilk: no need to buy it, just follow our recipe for buttermilk substitute;
- apple cider vinegar: helps break down the veggies while the slaw refrigerates;
- sugar: balances the tangy flavors;
- salt and pepper: season to taste.
How to make KFC Coleslaw?
- Shredd cabbage, dice onion, and carrots.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour over the veggies and stir all with a wooden spoon.
- Cover the bowl with a saran wrap and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Stir again before serving.
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Does it taste like the restaurant coleslaw?
Yes! It is spot on. It's creamy, tangy with a perfect ratio of cabbage, carrot and dressing. The onion and sugar add the slaw that specific flavor. Check out the reviews from our readers below. Many say it is even better than the restaurant slaw!
The secret to KFC coleslaw recipe:
I did a little bit of research and in no time I was whipping up the famous KFC copycat in my own kitchen. The hardest part was waiting for the whole thing to mingle flavors while chilling in the fridge. My own coleslaw lacked in flavor. It turned out that sugar and onion were the secret ingredients! It gave the coleslaw the characteristic flavor.
Helpful Tips!
- Use a food processor to shred the cabbage and carrots. This saves a lot of time!
- Make your own buttermilk with milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
- It is absolutely necessary to let the coleslaw chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. The vegetables need time to marinate with the dressing.
- Don't forget to stir the slaw before serving.
Recipe FAQs:
You don't have to buy buttermilk for this recipe. You can make it at home by mixing half and half (or whole milk) and apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice). Check out my recipe for buttermilk substitute for the full list of ingredients.
You can keep the coleslaw in a container with a lid, in the fridge for up to 5 days. Always stir before serving.
It is very normal for the liquid from veggies and dressing to collect at the bottom of the bowl. You can simply stir the coleslaw or drain the liquid.
More salad recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
KFC Coleslaw Copycat
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar
- 2 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 cups shredded then diced cabbage about ½ of a medium head
- 1 medium carrot
- ¼ medium yellow onion minced
Instructions
- Shred the cabbage and carrot and dice finely.4 cups shredded then diced cabbage, 1 medium carrot
- Mix all veggies in a large mixing bowl.¼ medium yellow onion
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour over the veggies and stir all with a wooden spoon.½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup milk, ¼ cup buttermilk, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 ½ tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar, 2 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- Cover the bowl with a saran wrap and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Stir again before serving.
Video
Notes
- Total time doesn't include the chilling time of 4 hours.
- Make homemade buttermilk with whole milk (or half and half) and apple cider vinegar. See my recipe for buttermilk substitute.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with.
Susan says
I left out the onion and added 1 tbsp prepared horeradish sauce on my second batch. Thanks for an excellent starter recipe. Everyone loved it both ways!
Lee says
In a pinch, Marzetti's Slaw Dressing is *really* close!
Anna says
Great tip! Thanks, Lee!
Rick says
I used to have this recipe from a newspaper clipping my mother gave me many years ago. Recently lost it and really glad to find it on your website. Don't recall onions being part of it but sounds good. I've always diced my cabbage and carrots until they're a bit larger than a kernal of rice. That and the dressing is what makes KFC coleslaw soo good to me.
Thank you, Rick
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Rick! Thank you so much for sharing the story. I do hope you will love this recipe as well! My Hubby says that the onion makes the difference so I highly recommend it. Or maybe make half with the onion and half without? I'd love it if you let me know when you try this recipe and how you like it. Thank you! -Anna
Audrey Wiltfong says
We love your recipe for coleslaw! It is perfect! It was the BEST salad that I have ever made. Thank you!
tammy says
awesome.. my old man will only eat kfc slaw and now he will eat mine ,,,thanks
Jeff says
Having worked for KFC back in the 80's, and being at a busy store. We would make a lot of slaw every day. 15 heads of cabbage, 6-8 onions, 5lbs carrots and 1 gal of the dressing. Everyone always forgets the smidge of horseradish.
Janet says
How much of a smidge for this recipe?..
Colleen says
That is it!!!! Horseradish! Thanks, I am always asked to bring this recipe to parties and although it is the best something was slightly off (that tang).
I appreciate Anne for the awesome recipe and Jeff for the missing ingredient.
Anna says
Thank you so much, Colleen!
Julie says
This recipe is spot on! So good! My whole family loved it!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Haha! You simply have to make it, Karen! Thanks! 🙂
Sharon says
Can the dressing be frozen?
Tracy says
I secretly love their coleslaw, thanks!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Tracy!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
I love coleslaw! And right in time for the Fourth 🙂 Love this recipe Anna! Pinned 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Chelsea!
Curry and Comfort says
Cole Slaw is low carb friendly (I just sub out the sugar). I am definitely giving this one a try for my next dinner. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Ramona!
Taylor says
This recipe is PERFECT for summer! Love any good coleslaw, so I can't wait to make this! Pinned!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Taylor!
BabyJune says
That looks great! I love coleslaw, saving this variation! 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks so much!
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
We love our BBQ too! I don't think I've turned the oven on once this week :). This looks mouthwatering - perfect for this time of year for sure!!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay for BBQ! Thanks, Kathi!
Terry says
My MIL Loves KFC Slaw. Will have to make this for her.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Terry!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
We're big coleslaw people, but we're also picky coleslaw people. Love us some KFC slaw. I can't wait to make this. Pinned.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Jennie!
whatjessicabakednext says
Love KFC coleslaw- so I'd definitely love to try this recipe out!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Jessica!