KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full (2024)

This KFC Coleslaw Recipe is as close as you can get without actually ordering it from the restaurant directly. The taste is simply perfect. Great dinner side dish or potluck recipe for summer gatherings, or brunches and luncheons all year round. It’s so good!

One of our favorite things to do is create restaurant copycat recipes – sometimes we even make a few tweaks so they’re even better! Copycat winners include Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana, Disney Dole Whip, and Sonic Cherry Limeade.

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full (1)

After being in the test kitchen all week, we’ve designated Fridays as our “order in” day. Or is it “order out”? All I know is, I don’t have to cook. During this past year, DoorDash has become a good friend, where my kids pick what they want and it’s delivered usually within an hour. My daughter chooses something different each week, whereas my son picks KFC every.single.time.

My favorite thing on their menu is the coleslaw, but it’s not offered as an a la carte side for some reason – the only way you can get it is to order a meal. So I set out to recreate it. This KFC Coleslaw Recipe is spot on, or at least as close as you can get without actually going and ordering it from KFC directly.

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full (2)

KFC Coleslaw Recipe

In order to make this recipe, you’ll need the following Coleslaw Ingredients:

  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Onion
  • Mayonnaise
  • Whole milk
  • Buttermilk
  • Lemon juice
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Salt and pepper

How to Make KFC Coleslaw

It’s very simple to make copycat KFC coleslaw in just a few steps:
(Scroll below for the printable recipe, exact measurements, and video.)

  1. Finely chop the cabbage, carrots, and onion.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients.
  3. Add the veggies to the dressing and mix to thoroughly coat.
  4. Cover and chill in the fridge overnight. Give it a stir before serving.
KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full (3)

Important Tips for Making Authentic KFC Coleslaw

  • Chop the vegetables very fine: The cabbage, carrots, and onions are all chopped very fine, almost like the size of rice. You can chop them with a sharp knife, or if you have a food processor with a shredding attachment, use that and then finely chop with a sharp knife.
  • 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.
  • Don’t omit the sugar: Every single ingredient in this recipe is important and what makes the coleslaw taste authentic, including the sugar. It balances out the acidity in the vinegar and lemon juice. If you’ve ever had their coleslaw, you know that it’s a little sweet. That’s from the sugar.
  • Chill overnight: At a minimum, the coleslaw should chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but for optimal flavor let it chill overnight. And if you have time (and can remember!) stir it occasionally. This will give you the absolute best results.

Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers

Make Ahead: You can make the dressing and vegetable mix up to 5 days ahead, and keep them stored separately. Then combine for a fresh batch.
How long does KFC Coleslaw last in the fridge? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days. Always stir before serving. The longer it sits, the more soupy it gets. If that bothers you, simply strain off the excess liquid.

What to Serve with Coleslaw

We love this coleslaw served with many of our chicken dishes, including Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, Chicken Wings, and Grilled Chicken. It’s also so good on hot dogs and tacos. It’s really delicious all on its own!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full (4)

How to Make KFC Coleslaw Video

Other Side Salads We Love

  • Broccoli Salad
  • Creamy Cucumber Salad
  • Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
  • Deli Fruit Salad

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full (5)

KFC Coleslaw Recipe

5 from 68 Ratings

This KFC Coleslaw Recipe is as close as you can get without actually ordering it from the restaurant directly. The taste is simply perfect!

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 hours hours

Total Time 12 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 (about 1 cup per serving)

Ingredients

For the Coleslaw

  • 8 cups finely chopped cabbage
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons very finely minced yellow onion

For the Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

  • Chop the vegetables very fine: the cabbage, carrots, and onions are all chopped very fine, almost like the size of rice. You can chop them with a sharp knife, or if you have a food processor with a shredding attachment, use that and then finely chop with a sharp knife. (See note about using a pre-shredded coleslaw mix.)

  • In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing. Whisk until smooth.

  • Add in cabbage, carrots, and onion; mix well until everything is thoroughly coated.

  • Cover and refrigerate overnight. (If you have time – and can remember! – stir it occasionally. This will give you the absolute best results.) Stir again before serving and enjoy!

Video

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 617IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Copycat KFC Coleslaw, KFC Coleslaw Recipe

Did you make this recipe?Snap a picture and mention @bellyfullblog!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full (6)
KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full (2024)

FAQs

KFC Coleslaw Recipe {spot on copycat!} - Belly Full? ›

KFC coleslaw has a sweet and tangy taste with a creamy texture. The coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions, and is dressed with a sweet and tangy dressing that includes vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices.

What is KFC coleslaw made of? ›

KFC coleslaw has a sweet and tangy taste with a creamy texture. The coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions, and is dressed with a sweet and tangy dressing that includes vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices.

Is KFC coleslaw any good? ›

There's nothing like KFC's slaw. It looks different, tastes different and crunches different in your mouth. It has a zing you just won't find in the supermarket deli. Coleslaw is KFC's top-selling side dish, more than doubling the tonnage of its runner-up, mashed potatoes with cracklin' gravy.

How do you make store bought coleslaw taste better? ›

Sugar or agave nectar are good choices of sweeteners. Flavor wise, chopped pickle relish, celery seeds, a touch of Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and sour cream are all common. Just mix everything together and go!

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.

Why did KFC stop selling 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. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

What is the unhealthiest item in 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.

What is the healthiest thing in KFC? ›

Most Nutritious Option

For the healthiest dish at KFC, opt for the grilled chicken wings, which deliver 70 calories per wing thanks to the cooking method.

Is there a lot of sugar in KFC coleslaw? ›

KFC, Coleslaw contains 161 calories per 112 g serving. This serving contains 9.7 g of fat, 1 g of protein and 18 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 15 g sugar and 2.2 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate.

Why does my homemade coleslaw go watery? ›

Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Cabbage Core:Issue: The core of the cabbage can be bitter, especially if it's not removed before shredding. Solution: Ensure that you remove the core of the cabbage before shredding it. Cut the cabbage in half, then cut out the triangular core from each half. Old Cabbage:Issue: Older cabbage may develop a bitter taste.

What is the best premade coleslaw? ›

Freshness Guaranteed Coleslaw

With its nice, thick dressing, Walmart's deli coleslaw is the best creamy coleslaw of the bunch. The dressing is heavy on the mayo, which makes it the best coleslaw to slather on a burger or pulled pork sandwich, and the copious amounts of shredded carrot will contribute some crunch, too.

How do I find my KFC secret? ›

Here's a step-by-step how to unlock the Colonel's hidden meals:
  1. Open the KFC Mobile App, select the store and begin your online order.
  2. On the menu page, scroll down to refresh the screen. Hold the screen in this place for 8-10 seconds.
  3. At the top, a message will appear: “SSSHHH! ...
  4. Press “Unlock” to access the secret menu.
Feb 27, 2023

Is there a KFC secret menu? ›

2. Click on the menu icon (the chicken drumstick) at the bottom, then swipe down and hold for about 10 seconds. 3. A red rectangle with a picture of Colonel Sanders will fade in, first saying “SSSHHH” then inviting you to unlock the secret menu – click on it to unlock it!

Is KFC still using cabbage? ›

KFC outlets, excluding those in the Northern Territory and South Australia, currently uses a 60/40 blend of lettuce and cabbage – but this will soon no longer be necessary, O'Malley said. “The crop got decimated. We do think it's short term in nature,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Is coleslaw from KFC healthy? ›

KFC coleslaw contains a moderate amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates. It also provides some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and vitamin K. However, it is important to note that KFC coleslaw is high in sodium and sugar, which can be a concern for those on a restricted diet.

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.

Does KFC coleslaw contain milk? ›

The coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions, and is dressed with a sweet and tangy dressing that includes vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices. The dressing also includes mayonnaise and buttermilk, which gives the coleslaw its creamy texture.

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