KFC Coleslaw Recipe (Copycat)
This copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe taste just like the fast casual restaurant. With less than 10 ingredients, it’s the easiest side dish recipe that we’ve been making in our family for years. We’ve cracked the code to the secret recipe and can’t wait to share.
When it comes to being a born and bred Southerner, Kentucky Fried Chicken is a staple restaurant that everyone loves. Their famous coleslaw is no joke, it’s extremely addicting with every bite. Many years ago, my dad figured out how to make this copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe right at home and we’ve been making it ever since.
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The secret is adding both a hint of milk and buttermilk to the dressing as well as white vinegar and lemon juice. It tenderizes the cabbage and also makes it sweet and tangy in every bite.
We make this for every family gathering, it’s one of those recipes that everyone wants to know how to make. Plus it’s even better when you make it in advance. We love to serve it with our Fried Chicken and BBQ Chicken Sliders.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Great to serve a crowd. We add this side dish with almost every backyard barbecue and picnic menu. It’s everyone’s favorite side dish to eat with ribs, fried chicken, steak, etc.
- Better to be made in advance. This KFC coleslaw is a meal prep dream. With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can stir everything together and then chill it in the fridge for a few hours before everyone arrives.
- Customize with your favorite ingredients. Add more fresh herbs, other veggies, like snap peas or radishes, stir in some nuts. It’s a wonderful recipe on it’s own, but also easy to change up the flavors too.
Ingredients
Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card
- Mayonnaise: The base of any great coleslaw, gives it that creamy and rich flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Lightly sweetens the dressing with just the right amount.
- Milk: Thins the dressing to the correct consistency and also adds creaminess.
- Buttermilk: The secret ingredient that adds a hint of tang to every bite. This is what makes KFC coleslaw famous.
- Lemon juice: Acid that brightens all of the flavors of the slaw.
- White vinegar: Another acid that softens the cabbage to be the right texture and also brings out the flavors.
- Green cabbage: The base of the greens for the slaw, you can buy this finely chopped or chop it yourself.
- Shredded carrots: Adds nice fresh vegetable sweetness and bright color.
- Yellow onion: We love to chop this fine for a zing of flavor and a little bit of texture.
How to Make KFC Coleslaw Recipe
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, milk, buttermilk, lemon juice, white vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Add cabbage, carrots, and onion. Stir well to coat the vegetables.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
- Give the coleslaw a good stir before serving.
Expert Tips
- Mix the dressing first for even flavors. This is so important, by mixing the dressing ingredients at the bottom of the large bowl, you can guarantee even and delicious flavors in every bite.
- Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least two hours before serving. Why is this so important? It allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften so it’s the perfect texture every time.
- Finely chop the cabbage and shred the carrots. You can buy all of this pre-chopped if you want for ease and to cut down on prep time. If you are chopping yourself, we often like to pulse the cabbage in the food processor. It makes the recipe easy for all ages and skill level.
- Customize the coleslaw to your liking. You can add other veggies, swap the green cabbage for red, even add other spices, herbs, or nuts for crunch.
What to Serve with KFC Slaw Recipe
The options are endless but we love when this copycat Kentucky Fried Chicken coleslaw added to a classic barbecue or picnic menu just like at the restaurant. Here are some fan favorite dishes to serve it with:
Storage
Store the KFC coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a nice stir before serving and let the chill come off for about 10 minutes. We don’t recommend freezing as it will change the texture of the coleslaw.
This is the best side dish to make in advance. Just mix it up and chill for at least 2 hours before guests arrive!
Frequently Asked Questions
It has a great sweet and tangy dressing that coats the cabbage perfectly. We also love the addition of yellow onion for the texture and flavor.
It has a base of mayonnaise with a hint of milk and buttermilk. It also has a little bit of vinegar and lemon juice to provide a bit of tang to every bite.
No, it does not have horseradish in the dressing. The acidic ingredients are vinegar, lemon juice, and buttermilk.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
KFC Copycat Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups finely chopped green cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 2 tablespoons minced yellow onion
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, milk, buttermilk, lemon juice, white vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Add cabbage, carrots, and onion. Stir well to coat the vegetables.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
- Give the coleslaw a good stir before serving.
Video
Notes
Storage
Store the KFC coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a nice stir before serving and let the chill come off for about 10 minutes. We don’t recommend freezing as it will change the texture of the coleslaw. This is the best side dish to make in advance. Just mix it up and chill for at least 2 hours before guests arrive!Tips
- Mix the dressing first for even flavors. This is so important, by mixing the dressing ingredients at the bottom of the large bowl, you can guarantee even and delicious flavors in every bite.
- Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least two hours before serving. Why is this so important? It allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften so it’s the perfect texture every time.
- Finely chop the cabbage and shred the carrots. You can buy all of this pre-chopped if you want for ease and to cut down on prep time. If you are chopping yourself, we often like to pulse the cabbage in the food processor. It makes the recipe easy for all ages and skill level.
- Customize the coleslaw to your liking. You can add other veggies, swap the green cabbage for red, even add other spices, herbs, or nuts for crunch.
Nutrition
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
This recipe was really very good!
Awwww!! That makes my heart so happy to hear!! Thank you SO much!!!🥰
8/5/25
Made your KFC coleslaw yesterday, came out great the very first time. Simple ingredients, easy to follow.
You are a breath of fresh air.
Your videos radiate:
– Goodness
– Enthusiasm
– Meals we can make and share with others.
You are a example for all of us.
God Bless.
This just blessed my heart! Thank you SO much!!!🥰 Comments like them and people like you are my “why” in making recipes and blogging. Thank you for your super sweet review and kindness!
Amazing recipe!
A few adjustments required (ahem I’m a total ‘slaw snob)
This should be shredded cabbage/ grated on a box grater for the proper texture so y’all aren’t getting those weird chonky bits of cabbage.
The dressing is amazing.
I’m Lithuanian and other than missing the celery seed and a couple of shakes of caraway… Honestly it’s a FABULOUS recipe!
Aww!🥹You’re so sweet! Thank you SO much!!!🥰 I’m so happy you liked it! Those adjustments sounds really yummy too!