Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

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1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 05/08/2023

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This simple Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe is made with crisp cabbage and carrots in a creamy, sweet and tangy buttermilk dressing! Perfect to make ahead, bring to a cookout as a side dish, or on top of a bbq sandwich!

This is one of myCopycatrecipes I know you’ll want to keep on hand!

Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (1)

When it comes to KFC’s side dishes, everyone knows how delicious their mashed potatoes and gravy and biscuits are.

But my favorite one; the one that I get each and every time we indulge in the Colonel’s chicken… is the coleslaw.

It’s the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and creamy! I crave it all the time.

Plus, it’s really easy to make and is actually best when it’s made ahead… that’s what I call a fantastic side dish!

How to make copycat kfc coleslaw?

This is just an overview; the full ingredients and directions are in the recipe card toward the bottom of this post.

Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (2)
  1. Chop. Even though this recipe uses pre-shredded cabbage and carrots, to get a similar texture to KFC’s coleslaw, give the cabbage and carrots a few pulses in a food processor or chop with a knife.
  2. Grate. To keep from biting into a large piece of shallot/onion, grating it over a box grater (or handheld grater) works perfectly.
  3. Make the dressing. I like to make this in a large mixing bowl, so won’t need two separate bowls. The coleslaw is added right on top of the dressing.
  4. Toss and chill. Give everything a good stir, stirring up from the bottom, then cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Helpful Tip!

I definitely prefer using real, full fat mayonnaise to make coleslaw. Hellman’s (Best Foods) and Duke’s are two brands from the Midwest that I love. I don’t recommend using Miracle Whip for this recipe, as it’s not the same thing as mayo, and will alter the flavors.

Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (3)

Variations of this recipe

  • Cabbage– choosing to use the pre-shredded bags of green cabbage will save you time, but if you’d like to shred your own cabbage and carrots you certainly can. You’ll need one small to medium head of green cabbage, and 3 large carrots. Peel the carrots and core the cabbage, then shred on a box grater or chop then use the food processor.
  • Red onion – instead of using a shallot, feel free to use some red onion.
  • Green onions– I love adding some chopped green onions to my coleslaw for added flavor and crunch!
  • Sugar substitutes– I’ve not tested using any sugar substitutes in this coleslaw, but I’m almost certain they could be used. I would follow whatever ratio the package suggests to get the amount needed.
  • Buttermilk– using buttermilk adds a great extra level of tang, but if you don’t have any, you can replace it with an equal amount of additional whole milk.
  • Extra seasoning– after your coleslaw has been refrigerated, give it a toss, then a quick taste. Add more salt and/or pepper if desired.
Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (4)

FAQ’s

Can you use red cabbage in this coleslaw?

Some pre-packaged bags of coleslaw mix contain shredded green and red cabbage, as well as carrots. While using red cabbage won’t change the taste at all, it will obviously change the look. KFC’s coleslaw recipe doesn’t contain any red cabbage, so if you’re going for a close copycat, it won’t match aesthetically.

How long can coleslaw sit out?

Since coleslaw most often contains mayo and/or other dairy, for food safety reasons, once it’s been out for 2 hours, you should toss it. When properly refrigerated and kept in an airtight container, it should last about 3-4 days.

Making coleslaw ahead of time

Coleslaw is an amazing thing to make for a cookout or potluck because it’s actuallysupposedto be made ahead of time.

Once you mix it all together, it’s best to refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, but honestly, if you can make it a day ahead of time, it will have the best flavor and texture.

The dressing will coat the cabbage and take away the strong crunch. Generally, it will get creamier and softer the longer it sits in the refrigerator.

Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (5)

Storage

Leftover coleslaw should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 3-4 days.

More Copycat Recipes:

Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (10)

My Favorite Food Processor!

I’ve had this food processor for years, and I love it’s efficiency and large capacity! It’s certainly an investment, but one I feel has more than paid for itself over the years. However, any food processor will work for this recipe.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (11)

Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe

5 from 17 votes

Author: The Chunky Chef

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Calories: 206

Servings: 6 servings

(hover over # to adjust)

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This simple Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe is made with crisp cabbage and carrots in a creamy, sweet and tangy buttermilk dressing!

Ingredients

  • 16 oz bag coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
  • 1 large shallot
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp white vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Prepare

  • Add coleslaw mix to a food processor and pulse a few times to chop the cabbage and carrots a bit.

  • Gather a large mixing bowl (one that has a lid is great, otherwise you'll need some foil or plastic wrap).

Make the dressing

  • To the large mixing bowl, add mayo, sugar, buttermilk, whole milk, lemon juice and vinegar. Whisk until smooth and combined.

Grate shallot

  • Peel the shallot, then grate with a box grater over the bowl with the dressing.

Toss and combine

  • To the bowl, add chopped coleslaw mix. Toss until well combined and coated.

Chill

  • Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour, or longer if you prefer a softer coleslaw.

Serve

  • Before serving, toss/stir coleslaw once more to redistribute any dressing that may have settled at the bottom of the bowl. Then serve chilled, with a sprinkle of extra pepper if desired.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

  1. Please feel free to adjust the sugar amount to your tastes.
  2. Apple cider, white wine, or red wine vinegar can be used in place of white vinegar if you prefer.
  3. If you don’t have a food processor, or would rather not use one, you can just use a sharp knife to chop the cabbage and carrots to a finer texture.
  4. I’ve estimated this recipe serves about 6, but feel free to divide it up into as many servings as you’d like.

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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Reader Interactions

  1. Glenda Rolph says

    My husband says its just like Mom used to make 🙂

    Reply

  2. LeAnn Kirkpatrick says

    nope! sorry we didn’t put any buttermilk in it. Worked there all through high school and college

    Reply

    • The Chunky Chef says

      No need to be sorry, since I never said this was an exact recipe… just a copycat that tastes pretty darn close to the original.

      Reply

  3. Maggie says

    Delicious and as close to tasting exactly like The Colonels as Is possible! Yay!

    Reply

  4. Tracy says

    This recipe is great. I love KFC Coleslaw. The only thing I did differently was add 1/2 tsp celery seed.

    Reply

  5. Mark says

    Delish…Delish…Delish…
    K F who ?

    Reply

  6. Anja says

    Tried this and it’s wonderful! Even better than KFC

    Reply

  7. Lori says

    I added celery seeds, because I love them, but this was fantastic without them! Thanks!

    Reply

  8. Patty says

    Thank you for a spot on recipe!
    We love kfc coleslaw and this hits the spot.
    I use “angel hair cabbage”; it saves time and is finer cut. I grind a carrot in it as well.

    I’ll be making this again.

    Reply

  9. Jillian says

    I was skeptical of this recipe at first, seeing how the sauce is really thin, but it thickened up more after sitting, and it legit tastes exactly like KFC slaw! Our new fave recipe! I used a bag and a half of organic slaw mix with red cabbage mixed in, that I purchased at Meijer, and it turned out just as great!

    Reply

  10. Sandi Tobin says

    I have never put any kind of sugar in my coleslaw recipe! I have been complimented on my recipe many times and no one missed the sugar! 👩‍🦳

    Reply

    • The Chunky Chef says

      Sounds like you have a great one then, and wouldn’t need this recipe 😉

      Reply

  11. Beti says

    This is definitely a must make! My family would love it!

    Reply

  12. katerina @ diethood.com says

    This coleslaw sounds incredible!! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply

  13. Teri says

    Made this today!! Excellent!!!!!!!

    Reply

  14. Erin says

    Perfection! I’ve been craving this! Now I know what to make later.

    Reply

  15. Sandra says

    This is really good!! My favorite side dish!!

    Reply

  16. Sara Phillips says

    Two chunky for me I like zestos is a lot better and tastes a lot better

    Reply

  17. Catalina says

    KFC Coleslaw is my favorite. I am so glad to make it at home now for our weekend barbecue parties!

    Reply

  18. Deborah says

    I made this coleslaw tonight for dinner. Didn’t change a
    thing. It was great tasting and will definitely be on my
    rotation list. Thank you Amanda.

    Reply

  19. Beth says

    Booyah! There is no better coleslaw in the world than KFC coleslaw. This recipe is fantastic!

    Reply

    • Kathy a says

      Been making this recipe since the early ’80’s. Of course, the Southern in me means we shred thred AND chop the green cabbage and carrots, and grate the sweet onion. We also up the buttermilk to 1/2 cup, preferring Prairie Farms Bulgarian Style Whole Buttermilk. AND yes, everyone wants me to bring the Cole slaw. SOOOO good!

      Reply

  20. Lilieth Green says

    KFC coleslaw is not what it used to be I used to order extra it was so good something went wrong

    Reply

Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

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.

Does KFC coleslaw contain horseradish? ›

Does KFC Coleslaw Contain Horseradish? The answer is yes, and no. The original recipe had a touch of horseradish in it, and many people remember that version well. If that flavor is something you're looking for, try about one teaspoon of prepared horseradish in this recipe.

What is the coleslaw sauce made of? ›

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!

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

What is the most unhealthy thing from KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

Why is KFC recipe a secret? ›

The recipe is not patented, because patents are published in detail and come with an expiration date, whereas trade secrets can remain the intellectual property of their holders in perpetuity. KFC uses its Original Recipe as a means to differentiate its product from its competitors.

Is coleslaw healthy or unhealthy Why? ›

Improves Gut Health

Coleslaw salad is rich in fiber because of the presence of raw cabbage. The RDA of fiber for an adult is 30g per day. It can become challenging to consume this much amount of fiber per day. However, 120 g portion of cabbage is sufficient to meet 10% of daily fiber needs.

Why did Chick-fil-A stop selling 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.

Why does KFC keep getting rid of popcorn chicken? ›

It's a tactical effort by the fast food company to streamline the menu. Not all of these items were available at every location, and after gathering data on which items performed well in sales, these were the ones determined to be nixed from menus, KFC U.S. Director Brittany Wilson told USA Today.

How long does KFC coleslaw last in fridge? ›

Stir a few times before serving. Slaw best if made several hours before serving. It will get watery after several hours but that is normal. It will keep for 3 day in the fridge.

Who makes good coleslaw? ›

With its nice, thick dressing, Walmart's deli coleslaw is the best creamy coleslaw of the bunch. The dressing is heavy on the mayo, which makes it the best coleslaw to slather on a burger or pulled pork sandwich, and the copious amounts of shredded carrot will contribute some crunch, too.

What is KFC's coleslaw made of? ›

There are only 3 vegetables: You can buy a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw and finely chop that, if you prefer. But keep in mind that true KFC Coleslaw only contains green cabbage, carrots, and onions, so don't use the packaged cabbage that has red cabbage or any herbs.

Does KFC slaw have onions in it? ›

The KFC website lists all ingredients for its cole slaw. They include chopped cabbage; carrots; onions; sugar; water; soybean oil; distilled vinegar; corn syrup; food starch; whole eggs; salt; corn vinegar; spice; apple cider; vinegar; and paprika. It also contains natural and artificial flavors.

What is KFC mayo made of? ›

Learn how to make delicious KFC-style mayo at home using Sauce Shop's Original Mayo and Buffalo Hot Sauce. This easy recipe includes lemon juice, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Perfect for your homemade fast food cravings.

What is KFC sauce made of? ›

It's an obvious knock-off inspired by the Worcestershire and mayo-based sauces made famous by the fried chicken tender chains Zaxby's and Raising Cane's. But KFC's Finger Lickin' Good Sauce is a little different with the addition of pickle juice, mustard, and a little more sugar than the other recipes.

Does KFC still use 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.

What is KFC stuffing? ›

STUFFING TOWER BURGER MEAL

A brioche style bun with an original recipe fillet, a sage and onion stuffing patty, burger dressing, lettuce, cheese and a spicy cranberry sauce. Served with Signature Fries and a Drink.

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