You’d love to have that famous, sweet-and-tangy KFC coleslaw, but you’d rather not make a detour to the drive-thru, thank you very much. This home run copycat recipe gives you all the crunchy, creamy magic in minutes! The flavors are just like the original, but the cabbage and carrots are crisp and it’s great served with fried chicken or for summer BBQs and potlucks. Spoiler: It is fresher and tastier!
Ingredients
Slaw Base:
- 8 cups thinly shredded green cabbage (about 1 small head)
- ¼ cup shredded carrot
- 2 tbsp minced onion (or 1 tsp onion powder for Less Spicy)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Creamy Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk (or 2 tbsp milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp celery seed (optional but true to the style!)
Instructions
Prep the Veggies:
- Use a food processor, mandoline, or sharp knife to finely shred cabbage and carrot. Transfer to a large bowl with minced onion.
Make the Dressing:
- In another bowl, combine the mayo, buttermilk, vinegar, lemon juice and sugar, salt, pepper and the celery seed, whisking to combine into a smooth dressing.
Combine & Chill:
- Drizzle dressing over cabbage mixture and toss until well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours (best overnight!) to wilt the cabbage and meld flavors.
Serve:
- Stir well before serving. Taste and adjust salt/sweetness if necessary.
Tips & Variations
🌱 Lighter Swap: Greek yogurt or light mayo.
🔥 Extra Crunch: Throw in ½ cup diced celery or radishes.
🍯 Sweeter Slaw: Add more sugar — ⅓ cup is a good amount — or a drizzle of honey.
🚫 No Buttermilk: Stir ¼ cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar.
🌶️ Spicy Kick: Mix in 1 tsp hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
Serving & Storage
- Serve: Piled on pulled pork sandwiches, alongside fried chicken or alongside heavy mains as a refreshing side.
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days (the texture softens over time).
Final Thoughts
It’s a nostalgic crowd-pleaser, and it’s surprisingly easy to throw together this copycat KFC coleslaw. The secret? Allowing it to chill — time yields that lush, creamy texture and just the right amount of tang. You can tweak it with extra veggies or herbs, but trust us: the classic version is chef’s kiss.
Tried it? Tell us if it can compete with the Colonel’s! 🍗💬