✔ Updated · chopping methods compared, a fix-it table, party-size amounts and nutrition
This copycat KFC coleslaw is sweet, tangy and creamy, with the cabbage minced so fine it's almost like a relish. It takes 15 minutes to make, then the fridge does the rest while the flavors soak in.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Mince everything very finely and give it at least 2 hours in the fridge. The texture and the sweet-tangy flavor both come from that long chill.
Why You'll Love This Coleslaw
- That fine, creamy texture from cabbage chopped down to rice-size pieces.
- Sweet and tangy, from sugar balanced with lemon, vinegar and buttermilk.
- Make-ahead friendly: it actually tastes better the next day.
What Makes KFC-Style Coleslaw Different?
Most coleslaw is crunchy shreds in a light dressing. The KFC-style version is different: the cabbage, carrot and onion are minced very fine, and the dressing is noticeably sweet, creamy and tangy at the same time. After a long chill it turns soft, cool and spoonable, the perfect partner for hot, crispy fried chicken.
My test for any copycat is whether it tastes like the one you remember and whether a home cook can nail it every time. This one passes on both, with no special equipment beyond a food processor, and it costs a lot less than a stack of side cups.
Knife, Food Processor or Bagged Mix?
The texture is the whole game with this slaw, so here's how the three ways of getting there compare in my kitchen.
| Method | Texture | Time | My verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food processor, pulsed | Tiny, even, rice-size bits | About 5 minutes | Best match. Pulse in short bursts, 2 cups at a time |
| Chef's knife | Fine but a little uneven | 15 to 20 minutes | Great if you don't own a processor. Shred thin, then rock-chop across |
| Bagged coleslaw mix | Too long and stringy straight from the bag | 2 minutes | Fine shortcut once you pulse it 4 or 5 times |
| Box grater | Wet and mushy | 10 minutes | Skip it for the cabbage, but use it for the onion |
Why I grate the onion: two tablespoons of finely grated onion melt into the dressing and season every bite without anyone finding a crunchy onion piece. It's the tip that made my family stop picking at the slaw and start going back for seconds.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Go finer than you think. The signature texture is cabbage chopped to rice-size bits. A food processor on pulse does it in seconds; just stop before it turns to mush.
- Don't skip the chill. Two hours is the minimum. The cabbage softens slightly and drinks up the dressing, and I honestly think it's best the next day.
- Dissolve the sugar. Whisk the dressing until it's smooth and no longer gritty before it goes on the cabbage.
- No buttermilk? Stir 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice into 1/4 cup of milk and let it sit 5 minutes.
- Drain if it gets watery. Cabbage releases liquid as it sits. Tip off any extra before serving, or stir it back in if you like it extra saucy like I do.
- Keep it cold. Mayo-based slaw shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours (1 hour on a hot day above 90°F). For picnics, set the bowl in a bigger bowl of ice.
KFC Coleslaw (Copycat)
8
servings (about 3/4 cup each)15
minutes0
minutes150
kcal2
hours15
minutesA copycat KFC coleslaw: green cabbage, carrot and onion minced very fine, then tossed with a sweet and tangy dressing of mayonnaise, buttermilk, milk, sugar, lemon juice and vinegar and chilled for at least 2 hours so the flavors soak in.
Ingredients
- For the Slaw
8 cups green cabbage, cored and very finely chopped (about 1 small head)
1/4 cup carrot, peeled and finely grated or minced (1 medium)
2 tablespoons onion, grated or very finely minced
- For the Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup whole milk
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Prep the Vegetables
- Cut the cabbage into chunks and pulse it in a food processor in batches until the pieces are about the size of rice grains, or chop it very finely by hand. Don’t puree it.
- Finely mince the carrot and onion the same way and add them to a large bowl with the cabbage.
- Dress and Chill
- In a separate bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sugar, buttermilk, milk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper until the sugar dissolves and the dressing is smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, so the cabbage softens slightly and soaks up the dressing. Stir before serving.
Notes
- Grate the onion on the small holes of a box grater so it melts into the dressing.
- Chill at least 2 hours; overnight gives the softest, most KFC-like texture.
- Keeps 3 to 4 days covered in the fridge. Don’t freeze it.
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Coleslaw Troubleshooting
| Problem | Why it happens | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| Watery after a day | Cabbage keeps releasing liquid | Drain it and stir in 1 tablespoon of mayo. Next time, toss the cabbage with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, rest 20 minutes and squeeze dry before dressing |
| Too sweet | Sugar reads stronger when cold | Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of salt, then taste again |
| Too sharp | Lemon and vinegar haven't mellowed | Give it the full 2 hours. Still sharp? Stir in 1 teaspoon of sugar |
| Still crunchy | Pieces too big or not chilled long enough | Pulse finer next time and chill overnight |
| Mushy | Over-processed cabbage | Pulse, don't run the processor. Stop at rice-size bits |
Making KFC Coleslaw for a Crowd
This slaw is my go-to for cookouts because it has to be made ahead anyway. Here are the amounts I use for bigger batches.
| Ingredient | 8 servings | 16 servings | 32 servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green cabbage, finely chopped | 8 cups (1 small head) | 16 cups (2 small heads) | 32 cups (4 small heads) |
| Carrot, finely minced | 1/4 cup | 1/2 cup | 1 cup |
| Onion, grated | 2 tablespoons | 1/4 cup | 1/2 cup |
| Mayonnaise | 1/2 cup | 1 cup | 2 cups |
| Sugar | 1/3 cup | 2/3 cup | 1 1/3 cups |
| Buttermilk | 1/4 cup | 1/2 cup | 1 cup |
| Whole milk | 1/4 cup | 1/2 cup | 1 cup |
| Lemon juice | 2 1/2 tablespoons | 1/3 cup | 2/3 cup |
| White vinegar | 1 1/2 tablespoons | 3 tablespoons | 6 tablespoons |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | 1 teaspoon | 2 teaspoons |
For big batches, whisk the dressing in a large jug, dress the cabbage in a couple of bowls and combine at the end, so everything gets coated evenly. Keep it in the fridge until serving time, and at an outdoor party set the bowl in a larger bowl of ice.
Nutrition (Estimate)
Per 3/4-cup serving of this copycat, made as written with regular mayonnaise. Figures are estimates from the ingredients.
| Per serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | About 150 |
| Fat | About 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | About 15 g |
| Sugars | About 11 g |
| Protein | About 1 g |
For the restaurant cup, check KFC's own nutrition guide, since its figures and portion sizes change. My lighter swap is in the Variations section below.
What to Serve With KFC Coleslaw
Coleslaw loves anything fried, smoky or saucy. Pile it next to our KFC original chicken, chicken tenders or popcorn chicken, add mashed potatoes and gravy and biscuits, and you've got a full copycat bucket meal at home. It's also great on pulled pork sandwiches, fish tacos and burgers. For more, browse our KFC copycat recipes.
Variations
- Lighter: swap half the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt and cut the sugar to 1/4 cup.
- Less sweet: start with 1/4 cup sugar and add more to taste after chilling.
- Extra tang: add 1 more tablespoon of lemon juice or a pinch of celery seed.
- Colorful: use part red cabbage. It tints the dressing pink, which kids tend to love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KFC coleslaw recipe by an ex-employee?
The recipe often shared online as coming from a former employee uses finely minced cabbage, carrot and onion in a dressing of mayo, sugar, buttermilk, milk, lemon juice and vinegar, chilled for hours. I can't vouch for where any version comes from, but this copycat uses that same proven approach.
What is in KFC coleslaw dressing?
A copycat KFC coleslaw dressing is mayonnaise, sugar, buttermilk, milk, lemon juice, white vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk it until the sugar dissolves, toss it with finely minced cabbage, carrot and onion, and chill at least 2 hours.
Why is KFC coleslaw so finely chopped?
The tiny pieces soak up more dressing and give the slaw its soft, creamy, almost relish-like texture. Pulse the cabbage in a food processor until it's about the size of rice grains, or chop it very finely with a sharp knife.
Can I use bagged coleslaw mix?
Yes. Use about 14 ounces of coleslaw mix and pulse it in a food processor a few times so the shreds are much finer. It saves time, though freshly chopped cabbage tastes a little crisper and sweeter.
How long does homemade coleslaw last?
Keep it covered in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. It gets softer and more watery each day, so stir before serving and drain any extra liquid. Don't freeze it, because the mayonnaise dressing separates when it thaws.
Can I make KFC coleslaw the day before?
Yes, and I'd recommend it. It needs at least 2 hours in the fridge, but it tastes best after a night, once the cabbage has softened and soaked up the dressing. Stir it and drain any extra liquid before serving.
Why is my homemade coleslaw watery?
Cabbage releases water as it sits in a dressing with salt and sugar. Drain it before serving, or salt the chopped cabbage for 20 minutes and squeeze it dry before you add the dressing.
How much coleslaw do I need for a party?
Plan on about 3/4 cup per person as a side. One batch of this recipe serves 8, and the party table above scales it to 16 or 32 servings.
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Wow, I just made this and it was so delicious and creamy just like the recipe. Thank you for putting this together.
How close does this taste to the original KFC coleslaw version?
Hi Matthew,
Yes absolutely, it tastes better than the real thing! Let us know how you get on when you make it.
Thanks for sharing this, such an awesome recipe!
I uses 3 tbsps of buttermilk powder mixed with water (approx. 7 ounces). Bought it this buttermilk from walmart.
Thanks Lynsey, appreciate your added insight.
Thanks for this recipefairy, I made this for my family yesterday. Worked a treat.
How many calories does kfc coleslaw have?
You’re welcome Lisa! Glad you enjoyed it.
There are 144 calories in the official recipe but only 125 calories in our version, to make it slightly healthier.
Been looking for this recipe for a while, so glad I get to try this out later! Can’t believe how low the calories are, that’s awesome.
Thanks for checking out the recipe Amy!
KFC coleslaw is my favorite, can’t wait to try this!
This would be awesome to try for my family this weekend
I’ve tried there coleslaw and don’t much care for it.
I would rate it 2 of 5 stars.
It was good.
I love KFC cole slaw. This recipe is pretty close
I really like it, as long as it doesnt have too much liquid
I would highly recommend it!
very very good coleslaw
This slaw looks so amazing. I can’t wait to try it out.
This is a super tasty coleslaw
KFC used to be my favorite. This was Better. Don’t change a thing.