KFC Coleslaw recipe

Recipes | Side Dish | KFC Coleslaw Copycat

Side Dish

Author by Amanda Davis on March 13, 2023 Updated on March 13, 2023

4.98 from 123 votes

My favorite coleslaw has always been from KFC. Making KFC coleslaw at home is easy and it makes a great take-along to potlucks and backyard barbecues.

Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Jump to Recipe

If you love KFC coleslaw over any other, grab these easy to access ingredients and make your own! While you can whip up this homemade coleslaw in a short amount of time, chill time is key so be sure to start early in the day.

KFC Coleslaw recipe - just like the Colonel! (2)

Why this recipe works

My favorite coleslaw has always been from KFC. Making it at home is easy and it makes a great take-along to potlucks and backyard barbecues.

The results, at first tastewere pretty close to KFC’s, but there seemed to be an overwhelming fresh cabbage flavor right after making it. However, after this sat in the refrigerator for several hours, the cabbage had time to soak up the flavor of the dressing, and that did it! Just like KFC!

KFC Coleslaw recipe - just like the Colonel! (3)

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

KFC Coleslaw recipe - just like the Colonel! (4)

SLAW – We are using green cabbage, not red/purple. Fresh carrot should be grated fine, and if you don’t want a pink tint to you slaw, squeeze out the excess moisture before combining it with the other slaw ingredients.

DRESSING – Some have said that tarragon vinegar is used in the original KFC coleslaw recipe. Tarragon vinegar has a mild flavor and can definitely be used instead of the white vinegar we suggest. We’ve included some tips below for replacing the buttermilk if needed, and have answered the question regarding Miracle Whip vs. mayonnaise in this recipe.

How to Make KFC Coleslaw

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Chop cabbage into chunks and run through your food processor, or chop finely. It’s up to you to decide the size you’d like your cabbage slaw to be.
Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a large bowl and whisk well.
Combine cabbage, carrots, and onion and toss well. Pour dressing over the slaw and turn to coat until fully incorporated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving to allow the cabbage to soak up the marinade. Overnight is best.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

What if I don’t have a food processor?

Using a food processor makes quick work of creating the slaw. However, if you don’t have a food processor, you can use a box grater.

Can I use Miracle whip to make this coleslaw?

If you insist on using Miracle Whip to make this coleslaw instead of mayonnaise, be sure to reduce the sugar by half. I cannot guarantee your results as I have not made it with Miracle Whip and the flavor of each item is very different.

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own. Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/4 cup of milk to replace the buttermilk.

I hear that KFC coleslaw was made with tarragon vinegar, but you are using white?

This recipe for KFC coleslaw uses white vinegar. However, many have commented that when working at KFC back in the day, tarragon vinegar was used. Substituting tarragon for the white is absolutely acceptable.

Why does my coleslaw have a strong cabbage taste?

When you first make this KFC coleslaw, there will be an overwhelming flavor of cabbage. Do not despair! Allow the finished coleslaw to sit for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to soak into the cabbage. Eating it too soon will result in a heavy cabbage flavor.

KFC Coleslaw recipe - just like the Colonel! (8)

Serving Suggestions

This recipe for homemade KFC coleslaw goes well with many dishes. Be sure to try it with our Crispy Fried Chicken, Oven Fried Chicken, Oven Fried Chicken Breasts, or Oven Fried Chicken Legs. Make a KFC copycat meal by baking up our favorite homemade biscuits and making our grilled corn on the cob!

More Potluck Recipes

Ham Salad
Pineapple Yogurt Dessert
Salsa Fresca
Corn Dip
Nana’s Macaroni Salad

If you’re looking for more food processor recipes, try these!

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My favorite coleslaw has always been from KFC. Making KFC coleslaw at home is easy and it makes a great take-along to potlucks and backyard barbecues.

4.98 from 123 votes

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

Print It Rate It Save It

Course: Appetizer

Ingredients

DRESSING:

▢ 1/2 cup mayonnaise
▢ 1/3 cup granulated sugar
▢ 1/4 cup milk
▢ 1/4 cup buttermilk
▢ 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
▢ 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
▢ 1/8 teaspoon pepper

SLAW:

▢ 2 pounds cabbage (medium head)
▢ 2 ounces carrot about 1/4 cup, or one medium carrot
▢ 2 tablespoons minced onion

Things You’ll Need

▢
Food processor

Before You Begin

Fresh carrot should be grated fine, and if you don’t want a pink tint to you slaw, squeeze out the excess moisture before combining it with the other slaw ingredients.
When you first make this KFC coleslaw, there will be an overwhelming flavor of cabbage. Do not despair! Allow the finished coleslaw to sit for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to soak into the cabbage. Eating it too soon will result in a heavy cabbage flavor.
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own. Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/4 cup of milk to replace the buttermilk.
If you insist on using Miracle Whip to make this coleslaw instead of mayonnaise, be sure to reduce the sugar by half. I cannot guarantee your results as I have not made it with Miracle Whip and the flavor of each item is very different.

Instructions

Chop cabbage into chunks and run through your food processor, or chop fine. It’s up to you to decide the size you’d like your cabbage to be.
Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a large bowl, whisk well.
Combine cabbage, carrots, and onion and toss well. Pour dressing over the slaw and turn to coat well.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving to allow the cabbage to soak up the marinade. Overnight is best.

Nutrition

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Follow on Pinterest @AmandaFormaro or tag #AmandasCookin!

This post was originally published on this blog on June 27, 2010 and has since been updated with tips and new photos.

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Amanda Davis

President at Amanda's Creative Studio, Inc.

Amanda Davis is the entrepreneurial mom of four grown children and four step children. She and her husband, Chef Antoine, love to cook together creating recipes for this blog. Amanda also make kid's crafts and creates decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also a craft book author five times over and product developer as well as the owner of FunFamilyCrafts.com. You can find her on social media by using the buttons to the left!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Katrina H Melo says
October 22, 2023 at 3:45 pm

Delicious indeed.
Reply
Anona Moose says
July 14, 2023 at 6:44 pm

This wasn’t the same as KFC, BUT dang…..it was good.
No more running to KFC for sides of slaw when we’re in the mood.
Paired with home made chicken tenders it was a 1/4 of the cost too!!!! Only change was to cut the sugar in half.
Reply
Tammy says
July 6, 2023 at 5:26 pm

Can you use bagged pre shredded co*ke slaw mix?
Reply
- Amanda Formaro says
  July 7, 2023 at 10:40 am
  
  We have never made this with bagged coleslaw mix. I feel like the shreds of cabbage are pretty large in those bags. Plus there is red cabbage in the bagged mix which isn’t in this recipe. However, if you decide to experiment we would love to hear your results!
  Reply
  - Brenda Taylor says
    July 10, 2023 at 1:10 pm
    
    I’ve made this recipe for years using the bagged slaw mix. It’s actually really good and the red cabbage doesn’t make a difference in taste. I’ve found it’s just so much easier and sometimes cheaper to use bagged instead of buying every vegetable for the dish. I recommend this recipe to everyone. I also add dried dill to mine, but I just prefer it. No one has mentioned they didn’t like it, it’s just requested for every gathering lol
  - Amanda Formaro says
    See Also
    Creamy Beer Cheese Soup - Easy Homemade Soup Recipe!
    July 11, 2023 at 11:37 am
    
    That’s great to know, thank you!
  - Bob Valenta says
    November 11, 2023 at 9:51 am
    
    I have loved this recipe for awhile. But, I add/alter:
    Use Miracle Whip instead of Mayo (I know, I know, there’s 3 things you don’t talk about… politics, religion, and Miracle Whip)
    Use all buttermilk
    Use Cider Vinegar w/ Mother, instead of white
    Add 1/ tsp. Celery Seed
    Add 1/2 Tbsp. horseradish (if it’s lost its heat, I go with 1T.)
    I prefer shredding the cabbage, myself. But, in a pinch, I have used bagged diced with pretty good success. Not quite as good.
Cheryl wagner says
April 23, 2023 at 11:37 am

Made it over and over again for years. Shared your recipe with family. Everyone just loves it. It never has the chance to lose flavor, gone in 3 days and tastes just as good as the first. Thank you so much
Reply
Steven Lee says
March 25, 2023 at 2:46 am

Yummy..
Reply
James A. Dewar says
March 19, 2023 at 10:17 am

Thankyou
Reply
Patti Truckey says
January 29, 2022 at 10:31 am

Can’t wait to try this at our community picnic!!! I just found your site!! Sound like we could be besties!! I love to cook and bake, but then I feed my neighbors as I’m not big eater! Love to craft!!! :)
Reply
Barbara Stapleton says
August 9, 2021 at 3:04 pm

I love this recipe. I recently made 6x the recipe, used the food processor to chop the cabbage, put it in colanders to drain but no juice /water came out. I put the dressing on it and in the morning the dressing seems to have pulled a lot of moisture out of it and it really watered the dressing down, a lot. Can you do anything to the cabbage before the dressing goes on to get the moisture out?
Reply
- Amanda Formaro says
  August 12, 2021 at 1:09 pm
  
  It should soak up the dressing as it sits, we suggest waiting at least 24 hours before tasting :)
  Reply
- Joyce says
  January 20, 2022 at 8:53 pm
  
  In the mid 90’s, I bought a container of KFC coleslaw and it listed the ingredients on the lid.
  KFC uses Miracle whip, green onions and onion powder, salt, sugar and vinegar, in their dressing. I processed the cabbage and carrots and added the dressing until there was enough to incorporate the ingredients.
  Reply
Christine Apuzzo says
May 12, 2021 at 2:39 pm

This is so good! Thank You for lemon juice tip!! Thank You!!
Reply
MsKay says
May 5, 2020 at 3:35 pm

Good the first day then loses flavor.
Reply
- Amanda Formaro says
  May 9, 2020 at 8:35 am
  
  Hmm, that hasn’t been my experience! Sorry you did.
  Reply
Jeffrey says
October 16, 2019 at 8:16 am

Hi Amanda!
Wonderful website! Thanks so much for the slaw recipe! It’s exactly like kfc! My favorite. I have lots of cabbage right now. You inspired me to try and replicate a slaw recipe from a small local chicken 🐔 restaurant in our area called, Lee’s chicken 🐓!! They will not give me the recipe! !! I can do it
Thanks!!!
Jeffrey
Reply
- Amanda Formaro says
  October 20, 2019 at 9:44 am
  
  Awesome, I hope it comes out GREAT!
  Reply
Michele Spencer says
September 9, 2019 at 2:44 am

This is now a family favorite! Thank you so much! Our family dinner doesn’t like the cole slaw you get from the deli or store. My father in law and my mom an son husband all said it was the best they ever had! :)
Reply
- Amanda Formaro says
  September 9, 2019 at 4:21 pm
  
  Hurray! Thank you so much for letting me know, so glad you all loved it!
  Reply
- Amy says
  November 4, 2019 at 8:07 pm
  
  Hi Im doing a yield test for this recipe and would like I know how much waste does this recipe have?
  Reply
Mary says
July 10, 2019 at 2:56 pm

Delicious! Had a lot of cabbage so I had to make a little more dressing. Did it by 1.5 and it was perfect! Also used the lemon & milk for the buttermilk. Thank you for sharing this! 😊🙃🙂
Reply
- Amanda Formaro says
  July 15, 2019 at 9:25 am
  
  So glad you loved it!!
  Reply
Marie Cunningham says
November 12, 2018 at 11:37 am

I’m not positive, but l do believe horse radish is in the recipe for KFC Cole slaw.
Reply
- Angelina says
  March 11, 2020 at 12:33 pm
  
  I’ve always thought so, as well. No recipe ever addresses that flavor, which I always pick up in KFC coleslaw. I wish someone would comment on that.
  Reply
Linda Bragg says
October 12, 2017 at 9:31 am

Hello Amanda,
Just a heads up on this recipe…. Copycat coleslaw recipe of KFC’s …..Though you would like to know I received an email today from Pinterest and previously I had pinned this to my Pinterest site and they notified me that they had Removed this recipe from my Pinterest board due to someone making complaints about a copyright issue. So to those who have pinned this…print out the recipe if ya wanna keep it. Thats what I did here. Love your blog and will continue to read and pin recipes etc. ! :)
Here is a copy of the letter I received below:
We’re getting in touch to let you know we received a copyright complaint and…
We’re getting in touch to let you know we received a copyright complaint and have removed one (or more) of your Pins.The complaint wasn’t directed against you or your Pin; it was directed against another user’s Pin of the same content from:
https://amandascookin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/coleslawtop.jpg
infringment pin
While many copyright owners are happy to have their content on Pinterest, we recognize that some do not want their content to appear on Pinterest, or did not receive attribution for the content. When a copyright owner sends us a complete notice per the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), it’s our policy to remove the Pin(s).
Again, this complaint was not directed at you, or anything you did: we just thought you’d like to know why we removed your Pin.
Thanks again for using Pinterest.
The Pinterest Team
Pinterest DMCA #ID1009168248
Reply
- Amanda Formaro says
  October 12, 2017 at 2:38 pm
  
  Thanks Linda and sorry that happened! I got an email about it too and it’s really weird because it’s MY photo that was reported and I didn’t report it. I’ve written to Pinterest about it. Thanks!
  Reply

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KFC Coleslaw recipe - just like the Colonel! (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.

Know More ›

What is KFC coleslaw dressing made of? ›

ingredients

2 -3 tablespoons lemon juice.
1 -2 tablespoon white vinegar.
1 pinch salt.
1 pinch ground pepper.
1 quarter of a cup milk.
1 quarter of a cup buttermilk.
half a cup mayonnaise.
1 third of a cup granulated sugar.

View Details ›

What happened to KFC 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.

Explore More ›

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.

Find Out More ›

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.

Discover More ›

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.

Why did KFC get rid of lettuce? ›

Some of KFC's biggest fans have blasted the iconic fast food chain after it admitted it was supplementing cabbage for lettuce in its burgers due to supply demands. The iconic chain alerted customers to its lettuce shortage this week by posting a menu update on its website.

Tell Me More ›

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.

Show Me More ›

Why is coleslaw so good? ›

In addition to improving immunity, detoxifying the body, and aiding in digestion, coleslaw also provides vitamin K. Vitamin K is abundantly present in cabbage and it can store minerals in the bones. Through its bone mineralization properties, vitamin K can help improve bone health.

See Details ›

Why does KFC taste better cold? ›

When fried chicken starts to cool down, the skin contracts and bonds itself to the meat. This process causes the top part of the skin to separate slightly from the crust, which prevents moisture absorption and sogginess, allowing the breading to maintain its satisfying chomp.

Keep Reading ›

Why is KFC original recipe so good? ›

KFC Uses A Special Signature Blend Of Herbs And Spices

A big part of what makes KFC's chicken so tasty is its highly coveted blend of herbs and spices. The restaurant's chicken is savory and herbaceous with lingering notes of pepper. The flavoring is simple but it hits all the right notes.

Read On ›

Is coleslaw healthy or unhealthy Why? ›