This quick and easy Copycat KFC Coleslaw recipe brings back the flavor we all remember from the side dish that used to come with every KFC meal. Now that it is no longer on the menu, the best way to enjoy it is by making it at home and keeping the tradition going.
If you were a fan of KFC’s coleslaw, you understand how disappointing it is that it’s no longer on their menu. That creamy, tangy, crunchy slaw was a fan favorite!
This copycat recipe brings that familiar taste right back to your kitchen. It is quick, easy, and as flavorful as the one we remember so well. And you don’t have to save it for fried chicken. It fits right in with grilled steaks, pulled pork, or a plate of my Slow Cooker Barbecued Ribs
I studied several versions over the years to get this one just right. It’s bright, slightly sweet, creamy, and has the perfect amount of crunch. This is the recipe I use any time a good coleslaw needs to be on the table.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: None
Total Time: 10 Minutes (plus 2 hours chill time)
Servings: 6
Primary Ingredient(s): Coleslaw mix, shallot, sugar, mayonnaise, buttermilk, whole milk
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- Tastes like the original. Sweet, tangy, and creamy with that signature flavor.
- Quick and easy. Comes together fast with ordinary ingredients.
- Great for making ahead. The flavor improves after a few hours in the fridge.
- Pairs with everything. Perfect alongside barbecue, burgers, or fried chicken.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Loved the coleslaw!! My guys fav is KFC. He thought this was good!”
— BelvaLee Jurkovich
You’ll also find this recipe in my cookbook!
You can see this recipe on page 95 of my cookbook, My Southern Table! Get your signed copy today.
Ingredient Notes
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- Coleslaw Mix — For convenience, I use refrigerated coleslaw mix from the grocery store’s produce department. If you can find one that contains all green cabbage, get it. That’s what KFC used.
- Shallot — Not really a “secret ingredient,” but an essential part of the recipe. It’s grated into the coleslaw mix to round out the flavor.
- Granulated Sugar — Another ingredient that may seem minor but is essential to the authenticity of the finished recipe.
- Mayonnaise, Buttermilk, Whole Milk, Fresh Lemon Juice, White Vinegar — Basic ingredients for a coleslaw dressing. The buttermilk gives that background tangy flavor everyone loves.
- Salt and Black Pepper — Adjust these according to your tastes.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Copycat KFC Coleslaw
- Pulse the coleslaw mix two or three times in a food processor (or chop by hand with a large, sharp knife) to create a fine texture. Transfer the chopped cabbage to a medium bowl.
Pro Tip
Most coleslaw mixes contain sliced cabbage, whereas KFC coleslaw was finely chopped. If you want that same fine texture, then pulsing the cabbage mix in a food processor or further chopping it by hand is needed.
- Peel the shallot and grate it into the cabbage mixture.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sugar, mayonnaise, buttermilk, whole milk, lemon juice, and vinegar.
- Pour the dressing mixture over the chopped coleslaw mix. Stir well to combine.
- Add the salt and pepper, then stir the mix again. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.
- Cover and refrigerate the coleslaw until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, give the coleslaw another good stir. If there seems to be excess dressing, drain it off before serving.
Pro Tip
The salt in the recipe will draw moisture from the cabbage while the coleslaw sits in the refrigerator, and can make the mixture a bit watery. Drain off any watery excess dressing before serving. See further notes in the FAQ section below.
Recipe Tips
- If packaged coleslaw mix isn’t available in your area, make your own by finely chopping a small head of cabbage and adding 3 finely grated large carrots.
- For the best flavor, allow at least two hours of chill time, covered in the refrigerator. Be sure to serve it chilled as well.
- Some packaged mixes contain red cabbage. KFC coleslaw did not. Red cabbage won’t affect the taste of the recipe, only the appearance.
How to Store
Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, well sealed in an airtight container. Not suitable for freezing.
Questions About Copycat KFC Coleslaw
No matter what you do, salt added to fresh cabbage will draw out moisture, so some dilution of the dressing is to be expected. If you really want to minimize it, you can take the extra step of salting and draining the cabbage before proceeding with the recipe. To do that, add the chopped cabbage to a fine mesh strainer placed over a bowl. Very lightly sprinkle the cabbage with salt and toss so that it’s mixed well. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes and up to one hour. Discard the liquid that collects in the bowl. You can take an additional step then and spread the cabbage on a layer of paper towels to remove as much additional moisture as possible. Continue with mixing the dressing and finishing the recipe.
You can make the coleslaw ahead if you don’t mind the cabbage wilting. The longer the coleslaw sits, whether refrigerated or at room temperature, the more the cabbage will wilt. If you want a nice, crisp texture, you’ll need to plan to make it the same day you’re serving.
Absolutely! To make the recipe entirely from scratch, you’ll need to finely chop a small head of green cabbage and grate three large carrots. A food processor takes care of this very quickly!
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
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Recipe
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Copycat KFC Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 16 ounces coleslaw mix
- 1 shallot grated
- ⅓ cup sugar white granulated
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pulse the coleslaw mix two or three times in a food processor (or chop by hand with a large, sharp knife) to create a fine texture. Transfer the chopped cabbage to a medium-sized mixing bowl.16 ounces coleslaw mix
- Peel the shallot and grate it into the cabbage mixture.1 shallot
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sugar, mayonnaise, buttermilk, whole milk, lemon juice, and vinegar.⅓ cup sugar, ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar
- Pour the dressing mixture over the chopped coleslaw mix. Stir well to combine.
- Add the salt and pepper, then stir the mix again. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Cover and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least two hours before serving.
- When ready to serve, give the coleslaw another good stir. If there seems to be excess dressing, drain it off before serving.
Notes
- To make the recipe entirely from scratch, finely chop a small head of green cabbage to take the place of the coleslaw mix.
- For the best flavor, allow at least two hours of chill time, covered, in the refrigerator. Be sure to serve it chilled as well.
- Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days well sealed in an airtight container. Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on August 17, 2022. It has been updated with additional information.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
My favorite slaw recipe. Your recipes are the best!
Thank you so much!
Loved the coleslaw!! My guys fav is KFC. He thought this was good! So, thanks Lana 🤗
My pleasure, BelvaLee! Glad you guy enjoyed it!