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.
Susie says
This is like my moms coleslaw dressing my mom used to let me shake in a mason jar. My mom put celery seed in it my dad loved it this way
Anna says
Thank you, Susie!
Janis says
Trying this tonight. Wish I had horseradish as someone suggested
Sharikha says
OMG!!! The best of the bestt!! My brothers rated it 11/10. It tasted better than KFC. I didn't have normal mayonnaise..I had chilli flavoured one and it had a spicy touch to it. I highly recommend this recipe. Absolutely divine. Thank you...
Debbie Cousins says
I was making KFC chicken thighs so a side of coleslaw was a must. Absolutely lovely recipe. Thank you.
Fern says
Wonderful recipe. I had a small bunch of green and red cabbage to use up. It turned out a bit more red, but it was fine. Great addition to any stay at home meal.
Anna says
Thank you so much for trying my recipe, Fern! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Sue says
KFC has the best slaw on the planet. This is a good recipe but way too sweet for me. Maybe my KFC does things differently. I cut the sugar and acids in half. The result was more like what I’m used to.
Jen says
Thank you for the recipe Anna, it tasted just like you said it would. I halved the recipe and used a tsp more vinegar. I also made my own buttermilk with fresh squeezed lemon juice. It turned out great! 😃
Anna says
Thank you so much, Jen! I am glad it was a hit!
Steve says
I cut back on the liquid a touch as it was too runny for me, and went to 1 tbsp of vinegar. That seemed to match KFC’s flavor.
Anna says
Awesome! Thank you, Steve!
Kathy Workman says
I have been forever looking for a good cole slaw dressing and yes, I do love Kentucky Fried's dressing. You nailed this recipe! Thanks so much.
Anna says
Yay! I am so glad it was a hit! Thank you, Kathy!
Lisa Gay Rodriguez says
Thanks for such an easy and delicious recipe. The coleslaw sauce is excellent so creamy and full of flavor.
Anna says
I am so glad you like it, Lisa! Thank you for trying the recipe!
Nancy says
Love this recipe.. I put it on my hotdogs and tacos.. yummy!
Anna says
Awesome! Thank you, Nancy!
Jonas VanDerLey says
I've tried cold slaw in many different restaurants and KFC has the best I tried this and was very greatly surprised the over night was almost more than I could stand. Thanks
Anna says
Hi Jonas! Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I am so glad it was a hit.
Debbie Brown says
Excellent!!! Sooo good!! Thank you!!!
Anna says
Awesome! Thank you so much, Debbie!
Kally M. says
Thanks for this recipe.
What kind of mayonnaise do you use for this?
Different brands taste very different from one another.
Anna says
Hi Kally! I use Hellmann's but you can use whatever you like on your sandwiches. Hope this helps!
marcella Beltowski says
I love this recipe! Perfect copy of KFC. I also used Hellmann's. I have an allergy to mustard which some brands of mayo contain. KFC Cole slaw does not contain mustard (I checked). Could make a difference in taste.
Rob says
Made KFC copycat slaw for a family reunion to go with my brothers BBQ ribs and chicken. Huge hit. Doubled the recipe but should habe quadrupled! Thanks, Anna, for this great recipe.
Brenda says
I love this recipe and so does my daughter BUT, she's doing Keto. What can I use as a sugar substitute and how much?
Anna says
Hi Brenda! I think Stevia should work. I would use the same amount and adjust to your likings. I hope this helps!
Lalessia Fricks says
We have substituted the regular granulated type Swerve when doing Keto.
Lalessia Fricks says
Equal amount just like real sugar, if using Swerve.