Learn how to make it at home with this KFC Coleslaw Copycat Recipe! Just like the delicious coleslaw served at your favorite fried chicken restaurant!
Reasons To Make This Coleslaw:
- It tastes JUST like the kind you get at KFC!
- This is a perfect summer side dish, it’s great for potlucks, BBQs and picnics.
- Quick and easy, you can whip this coleslaw up in a matter of minutes… yes, minutes!
- You can easily make this the day before you need it. It’s even better the next day!
KFC Coleslaw
If you’ve been to Kentucky Fried Chicken, chances are good that you’ve tasted their famous coleslaw. As a side dish for a chicken dinner or barbecue, it doesn’t get much better than a creamy crunchy slaw and KFC’s does theirs just right.
With summer weather arriving, I’m already planning ahead for all those picnics and barbecues on the horizon! Nothing goes better with a leg of fried chicken or a big plate of BBQ like a side of homemade coleslaw.
Lots of recipes have circulated over the years claiming to be the authentic KFC coleslaw copycat recipe. The one I’m sharing today, though, is by far the best! It tastes just like the slaw you love with your fried chicken order, all tossed with a creamy tangy dressing.
Best of all? This coleslaw recipe is super easy!
The most effort you’ll put into making KFC Coleslaw is chopping the cabbage. Other than the effort it takes to resist trying a bite before it’s had a chance to marinate in the fridge for a couple of hours, of course!
KFC Coleslaw Copycat Recipe
Made entirely from scratch, this easy coleslaw will be the perfect side dish for all your summer barbecues and picnics. Instead of making a trip to a Kentucky Fried Chicken and paying for such an easy slaw, stay home and make it yourself for pennies.
I use green cabbage for this slaw because I wanted to mimic the KFC coleslaw as closely as possible. You also can’t beat the price! If you prefer, I’m sure red cabbage (or a mix or both) would be delicious here as well.
While you can simply chop your cabbage, if you have a food processor, it really helps give that coleslaw texture you get at Kentucky Fried Chicken. I first rough chop my cabbage, then just pulse it in the food processor a few times. Works like a charm. That said, if you don’t have a food processor, no worries, just chop it as finely as you like.
KFC Coleslaw Dressing
What really makes this coleslaw stand out is the creamy dressing. Made with real buttermilk, the dressing gets a tangy kick from a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
For years I thought I disliked coleslaw because I wasn’t a fan of the dressings. They were either too heavy on the mayonnaise or too sweet for my taste. So I always skipped the coleslaw and brought Pasta Salad to outdoor potlucks instead.
This homemade coleslaw recipe is SO much better than the ones I was trying before! It’s full of creamy buttermilk flavor with just the right amount of sweetness to balance things out. While I’ll still bring my share of pasta salads to my summer potlucks, I might have to start mixing things up by showing up with copycat KFC coleslaw instead!
Make this coleslaw for your next picnic or chicken dinner along with other favorites like Macaroni and Cheese and Jiffy Cornbread or Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls, and you’ll have a perfect meal. Don’t forget the Crockpot Baked Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Buttermilk Biscuits, Ambrosia Fruit Salad and Creamed Corn, too! We love to serve this as a side with Air Fryer Cheeseburgers.
KFC Coleslaw Recipe
KFC Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups cabbage finely chopped about 1 head
- 1/4 cup shredded carrot about 1 carrot
- 2 tbs minced onion
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 1/2 tbs lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tbs white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together, the milks, mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice and vinegar. Add the onion, carrots and cabbage with salt and pepper. Toss to thoroughly coat the vegetables in the dressing.
- Cover and let chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or as many as 8) before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Michelle says
This is hands down the best coleslaw recipe!
It’s delicious – my family absolutely loves it!
Can’t thank you enough for sharing :)) 💗
Anonymous says
I use finely shredded, then chop it more. 8 cups is about 2 10oz bags.
Dottie says
Fantastic recipe! My husband absolutely loved it! Best coleslaw ever! Thank you for sharing this recipe.❤️
Patsy says
Sounds wonderful…….going to try it for sure.
Linda says
I used broccoli slaw from the supermarket but the pieces were really big and hard so I put them in a blender for just a few seconds. It’s softened them up enough that it tastes almost the same as KFC.
Becki says
Made for a wedding reception. Loved it.
Jeanne Carroll says
My late mother-in-law would always make the best cole slaw using Pfieffer’s dressing, which is no longer available. I’ve found that KFC’s s cole slaw is as close as anyone has ever gotten to her recipe. The only difference is she would always put crushed pineapple in hers. It may sound a little odd to some people, but adding the pineapple takes it to a whole other level of delicious!
Susan says
Our KFC closed! Glad I found this. Thank you. Will make it soon!
Wayne says
No more spending $10 bucks at KFC for a couple of sides of their coleslaw every time I make fried chicken! Awesome recipe so glad I found it I already made it a half a dozen times or so!
Danny says
Can I use a bag of coleslaw from the supermarket?
Christi Johnstone says
Yep!