The Best KFC Coleslaw Recipe

Why is the KFC Coleslaw Recipe So Good?

KFC Coleslaw is world-renowned and widely recognized as the best coleslaw ever. The goat of all coleslaws. There are several reasons why it’s so dang delicious, and this copycat recipe is one of the best on the internet.

• Chopped Texture – Not only is KFC coleslaw considered the best because of its famous flavor, but it’s also what you don’t notice, like the finely chopped texture. Finely chopping the ingredients makes it super palatable and easy to eat, in comparison to the stringy angel hair coleslaw you get at most delis.

• Creamy, Tangy & Sweet – their coleslaw has the perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness, and it’s essential not to skip the sugar needed to offset the vinegar, buttermilk, and lemon juice used. It’s decadent while still being light and refreshing.

• Balances out a heavy meal – it freshens things up when you add coleslaw as a side dish alongside fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. Coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the rich carbs and fats, helping to lighten the overall meal. Its fresh, light, and crunchy texture makes it even more enjoyable on a warm day.

What ingredients are in KFC coleslaw?

Veggies – only two vegetables are used in their coleslaw: angel hair, green cabbage, and grated carrots. You can buy the bagged mixture to save time, but be sure it contains only those two ingredients if you want this to be precisely like KFC’s version.

Mayonnaise – I highly recommend Hellmann’s/Best Foods mayonnaise over the heavier southern varieties, such as Duke’s or Blue Plate. Those are a bit richer and won’t be quite the same.

Buttermilk & Half and Half – equal parts of half and half and buttermilk are used for the base of the coleslaw dressing. You can use milk instead of half and half, although I find the half and half to be a little creamier.

Sugar – good ole’ granulated white sugar will do the trick. There are no substitutions here.

Vinegar – the restaurant uses white vinegar, so that’s what we are sticking with. I wouldn’t get fancy with apple cider vinegar or any other varieties.

Lemon Juice – similar to vinegar in its acidity, lemon juice adds a lemony brightness that enhances the flavor even further than just its tartness.

Onion – grated or minced onion is the KFC way, but I actually prefer to use minced green onions rather than white or yellow onions for a more subtle onion flavor. Green onions have a slightly grassy, herby taste that works so well in coleslaw.

Seasonings – traditionally, just salt and pepper are used. I find seasoning salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder ramp up the flavor just a bit more than KFC’s version.

Why is KFC Coleslaw Different?

KFC’s coleslaw recipe is made up of finely shredded (almost minced) cabbage and carrots, which allows the creamy dressing to evenly saturate the ingredients without becoming drippy. Plus, these micro bite-friendly veggies are easy to eat and somehow make this coleslaw recipe stand above the rest.

The added sugar in the coleslaw dressing is truly addictive (in the best way possible). While most coleslaw recipes may have a hint of sweetness, KFC’s coleslaw has enough sugar to set off all the pleasure sensors in your brain and make you crave it again and again.

Storage and Recipe Tips

• Yield: This recipe yields approximately 10-12 servings, each about 1/3-1/2 cup in size.
• Halve the Recipe: This beloved KFC copycat recipe isn’t just for parties and backyard summer BBQ’s, it’s also a wonderful side dish for a simple dinner at home. When you’re making this for a small group, it’s easy to cut the recipe in half.
• Two-Hour Rule: As with any mayonnaise-based dish, be mindful of how long it sits out, especially in the summer heat outdoors. Stick to the two-hour rule from the time the coleslaw is removed from the refrigerator to the time it needs to return to the fridge. You can also place the serving bowl of coleslaw into a larger bowl that has been filled with ice on the bottom (similar to the setup of a salad bar). This will allow you to keep the coleslaw sitting out for an extended period of time.
• Storage: The best way to store coleslaw is tightly sealed with plastic wrap in a bowl or in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator until it’s ready to serve.
• Make-Ahead: Coleslaw requires a few hours to marinate and absorb the delicious dressing, allowing the cabbage and carrots to start softening. It won’t be ready to eat right away, and it’s recommended to prepare it at least 2 hours before serving, but it can be made up to 3 days in advance.

How to Make The Best KFC Coleslaw

With just a few easy steps, we can create a delicious copycat version of the KFC coleslaw recipe in our own kitchen. Here’s how:

In a food processor, pulse the cabbage and carrots until they are in small pieces, about the size of rice.

Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Add in the onions (or green onions) and stir them into the coleslaw to combine.

In a medium glass bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients. Pour over the veggies in the bowl, and toss everything until everything is well-coated. Taste and adjust if needed with more salt or pepper if needed.

Store covered in the refrigerator until serving, ideally 4 hours or overnight.

What dressing is on KFC coleslaw?

Their perfect coleslaw dressing consists of creamy, salty, sweet, and tangy flavors.

A combination of mayonnaise, milk or half-and-half, buttermilk, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, pepper, and optionally garlic powder.

My Favorite Tools

• Food Processor
• Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
• Large Mixing Spoon

What to Pair with KFC Coleslaw?

Prince’s Nashville Hot Fried Chicken
Cowboy Butter Chicken Tenders
Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger Sliders
Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers (Chili’s Copycat)
Southern Chicken Fried Chicken
Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders (Wendy’s JBC Copycat)
Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken
Southern Fried Chicken Sliders Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe
Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets