Better Than KFC Copycat Coleslaw

close up shot of KFC copycat coleslaw in a bowl

Follow the simple steps of this KFC copycat coleslaw right in your own kitchen to create a crisp, crunchy texture and classic coleslaw taste that is a restaurant favorite.

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Table of Contents

KFC Copycat Coleslaw Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This KFC Copycat Coleslaw Recipe
How To Serve This Copycat KFC Coleslaw
Storing This KFC Coleslaw Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
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This KFC copycat coleslaw uses simple ingredients to recreate the crunchy, creamy top-secret classic recipe at home. With crisp vegetables and a made-from-scratch tangy sauce, this delicious side dish is a favorite.

KFC Copycat Coleslaw Ingredients

KFC copycat coleslaw raw ingredients that are labeled

The blend of crunchy vegetables combined with a creamy, tangy dressing creates the perfect side dish that complements any meal.

The combination of creamy mayonnaise, tangy vinegar, and sweet sugar creates the perfect balance of flavors. Plus, the shredded cabbage and carrots add a refreshing crunch that makes it hard to resist.

You’ll need:

½ head of green cabbage, finely chopped (about 4 cups)
½ medium carrot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons of buttermilk
4¼ teaspoons of white vinegar
1½ tablespoons of onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons of whole milk
¼ cup of mayonnaise
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
4 teaspoons of sugar
¼ teaspoon of salt
⅜ teaspoon of pepper

PRO TIP:

You can make your own buttermilk using whole or 2% milk and lemon juice or distilled vinegar. For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.

Substitutions And Additions

BUTTERMILK: Half-and-half cream can be substituted for buttermilk. If you do this, make sure to use 5 teaspoons of sugar instead of 4, as buttermilk is naturally sweeter than half and half.

MAYONNAISE: You can substitute Miracle Whip for the mayo if that is what you prefer or have on hand.

CABBAGE: If you prefer a different type of cabbage or have it on hand, feel free to use red cabbage or Napa cabbage instead of green cabbage. Red cabbage will add vibrant color, while Napa cabbage has a milder flavor and tender texture.

CARROTS: Don’t have carrots? You can substitute them with grated daikon radish or jicama for a refreshing twist. Both of these alternatives will provide a similar crunch and add a unique flavor to the coleslaw.

How To Make This KFC Copycat Coleslaw Recipe

Once you dice up the veggies in the food processor, you will make the tangy dressing. Make sure you give the coleslaw a little time in the fridge to allow the flavors to mingle.

STEP ONE: Using a food processor, chop the head of cabbage, pulsing until finely chopped. For best results, it might be helpful to work in small batches to make sure the cabbage isn’t pulverized but just chopped up into small squares. The same can be done with the carrot. Place the cabbage and carrot in a medium or large bowl.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

The easy way to chop cabbage is in the food processor, but you can also chop it by hand if you prefer.

cabbage being pulsed in a food processor

STEP TWO: In a separate small bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients to make the KFC coleslaw dressing. Mix until smooth. Pour over the cabbage/carrot mixture and stir. Don’t be concerned if it seems a bit dry at first. The moisture from the cabbage will be drawn out before too long.

cabbage/carrot mixture poured over the ingredients and stir

STEP THREE: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows for the dressing and the moisture from the cabbage to meld well. Stir before serving.

PRO TIP:

While you can serve the coleslaw after chilling for 30 minutes, letting this coleslaw sit overnight gives it time to allow the flavors to blend together.

How To Serve This Copycat KFC Coleslaw

This copycat KFC coleslaw is the perfect side dish to serve alongside chicken dishes such as our fried pork chops, (not fried) fried chicken, or popcorn chicken. Add our macaroni salad for a delicious meal. Whip this simple recipe up for family gatherings or a summer BBQ, and you will be guaranteed to have a hit.

Serve our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or our southern strawberry sweet tea on the side to wash it all down.

For another easy recipe for creamy coleslaw, check out our classic coleslaw. For some other great side dishes, check out our potato salad and Mexican corn salad.

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Storing This KFC Coleslaw Recipe

This crunchy coleslaw may leave you with leftovers. Here’s how to store them:

IN THE FRIDGE: Store this KFC coleslaw copycat recipe in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

IN THE FREEZER: We do not recommend freezing this easy coleslaw recipe.

Tangy and crisp, we’ve got the perfect KFC copycat recipe for you to serve alongside your chicken. This KFC copycat coleslaw recipe tastes just like the delicious coleslaw from Kentucky Fried Chicken and comes together in a matter of minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does homemade coleslaw last?

You can store this coleslaw in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Can you make this recipe for KFC coleslaw the day before?

Stored in a sealed container, this coleslaw will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. It tends to actually taste better the second day after the creamy sauce and veggies have time to mingle together.

How do you easily shred cabbage?

You can either dice the cabbage by hand or shred it in the food processor until it is finely chopped.

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KFC Copycat Coleslaw

5 from 3 votes

Follow the simple steps of this KFC copycat coleslaw right in your own kitchen to create a crisp, crunchy texture and classic coleslaw taste that is a restaurant favorite.

Prep Time 15

Total Time 45

Servings

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Ingredients

½ head cabbage, finely chopped (about 4 cups)
½ medium carrot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons buttermilk
4¼ teaspoons white vinegar
1½ tablespoons onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons whole milk
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons lemon juice
4 teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
⅜ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Using a food processor, chop the cabbage, pulsing until finely chopped. It might be helpful to work in small batches to make sure the cabbage isn’t pulverized but just chopped up into small squares. The same can be done with the carrot. Place cabbage and carrot in a medium bowl.
In a separate small bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Mix until smooth. Pour over cabbage/carrot mixture and stir. Don’t be concerned if it seems a bit dry at first. The moisture from the cabbage will be drawn out before too long.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows for the dressing as well as the moisture from the cabbage to meld well. Stir before serving.

Notes

The easy way to chop cabbage is in the food processor, but you can also chop it by hand if you prefer.
While you can serve the coleslaw after chilling for 30 minutes, letting this coleslaw sit overnight gives it time to allow the flavors to blend together.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Stefanie Knaus Photographer
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant