KFC Coleslaw Recipe Copycat (2024)

This crunchy Coleslaw Recipe tastes just like what Kentucky Fried Chicken serves at its restaurants, but for a fraction of the price! The perfect side dish for BBQs and potlucks!

I love KFC coleslaw but hate paying $4 a pound for it. This Coleslaw Recipe is CHEAP to make, super easy and tastes delicious! You can get four times the amount of slaw for a fraction of the price you would pay at a deli or at the popular fast food chain. Trust me, this is the best coleslaw recipe to serve at family picnics, church potlucks, or serve as a side salad for busy weeknight suppers.

Ingredients in KFC Coleslaw

Simple ingredients, easy and fast, this copycat KFC coleslaw is a delicious twist on the classic coleslaw recipe. Here’s all you need:

• Cabbage– Use green cabbage, or a cabbage mixture, like a coleslaw mix from the grocery store.
• Carrots – Julienned or grated using the large holes of a box cutter.
• Sugar – You can use a sugar substitute.
• Salt – I like using kosher salt but regular table salt works great too.
• Black pepper – Preferable, freshly ground.
• Milk – Whole or 2%.
• Mayonnaise – Hellman’s (Best Foods in the west) or your favorite brand.
• Buttermilk – You can make your own buttermilk with a teaspoon of lemon juice added to a cup of milk. However, real buttermilk tastes better in this recipe.
• White vinegar – You can substitute apple cider vinegar.
• Lemon juice – Bottled juice, or the juice of about one and a half fresh lemons.
• Mustard– Dijon mustard is optional, but adds terrific flavor.
• You can also add a few diced green onions for garnish and extra flavor.

Tips for making this Coleslaw Recipe

1. It’s okay to serve immediately, but it’s best if you let this homemade coleslaw sit overnight. It can even keep for up to 2-3 days, but toss once it starts to get mushy.
2. Draw out some of the water from the shredded cabbage before tossing with the dressing. In a large bowl, toss the cabbage with a teaspoon of salt. Let it set for a 20-30 minutes or until water starts collecting on the surface and then rinse and pat dry. This will also keep it from getting watery after you mix it with the dressing.
3. Use actual buttermilk. I know that milk and lemon juice is a common buttermilk substitute, but it just doesn’t taste as good when you do that with coleslaw.
4. For the best results, don’t make it weird. The reason people love KFC Coleslaw so much is because it is a simple, no-frills coleslaw. If you want to keep it like the original, don’t go adding extra, unnecessary ingredients like pineapple, oregano, celery seed, peppers, or other extras.

Questions

Read more:35+ Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

What Goes Well With Coleslaw?

Coleslaw is such a versatile side dish. It goes well with so many different dishes. From BBQ dishes to sandwiches, to tacos, to baked or fried chicken dishes, coleslaw goes well with it all! Here are some of our favorites:

How To Make this KFC Coleslaw Recipe