KFC Coleslaw Recipe
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KFC Coleslaw has always been my favorite restaurant side dish! It’s got a creamy dressing that is a little sweet and very simple. With spring here, I have been craving coleslaw and made this simple copycat KFC Coleslaw recipe in minutes!

What You Will ❤️ About KFC Coleslaw
- Classic – this recipe is a classic for picnics and potlucks! It’s that signature flavor everyone knows!
- Creamy – I love that this coleslaw is very creamy – it’s how you know it’s KFC. But it’s still light – not super thick with mayo!
- Sweet – The other unique thing is the subtle sweetness – no vinegar tartness here – the taste is just so delicious!

Kentucky Fried Chicken Coleslaw Ingredients
This KFC Coleslaw copycat recipe has simple ingredients you’d expect and maybe a secret ingredient you wouldn’t suspect!
- Cole slaw mix (green cabbage & carrots)
- You’ll want to shred cabbage coleslaw mix in the food processor or finely dice
- If you’re just using shredded cabbage, be sure to shred carrots in as well – you’ll probably. need 1-2 carrots
- Yellow onion
- Dressing Ingredients:
- Mayonnaise – I prefer Duke’s but Miracle Whip does that have that extra zing!
- Milk
- Buttermilk
- Sugar
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Apple Cider Vinegar – you can use white vinegar if you don’t have apple cider
- Fresh Lemon Juice

How do you store leftover coleslaw?
Store leftovers in an airtight container (I like these glass ones) in the fridge for up to a week. Mine was gone in 4 days – because I couldn’t help myself!
Can you freeze Copycat KFC Coleslaw?
No. With all the dairy of buttermilk and mayonnaise – I wouldn’t freeze this homemade coleslaw recipe.
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How to make KFC Coleslaw at home?
It could not be easier to make this perfect side dish!!!! Literally – I was shocked!
- Empty bag of coleslaw mix onto cutting board and chop it into a fine dice. That’s key to making it like KFC!
- In a large mixing bowl, add diced coleslaw mix and minced onion
- In separate bowl, add remaining ingredients and whisk together
- Pour dressing mix onto coleslaw mix and toss to combine
- Refrigerate and chill for 30 minutes (or more) and serve

What to serve with Cole Slaw
More Side Dish Copycat Recipes
More Potluck Dishes

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KFC Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cole slaw mix finely diced
- 1/4 yellow onion minced
- 1/2 cup Duke's mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 lemon juiced
Instructions
- Empty bag of coleslaw mix onto cutting board and chop it into a fine dice. That’s key to making it like KFC!4 cups cole slaw mix
- In a large mixing bowl, add diced coleslaw mix and minced onion1/4 yellow onion
- In separate bowl, add remaining ingredients and whisk together1/2 cup Duke's mayonnaise, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 lemon
- Pour dressing mix onto coleslaw mix and toss to combine
- Refrigerate and chill for 30 minutes (or more) and serve
I have been making this version for years now. It is soooo good !
OMGoodness! This was so delicious! I made it for dinner and it’s the best coleslaw I’ve ever ate. And I can honestly say it’s way better than any coleslaw I’ve ever ate at KFC. Thank you for sharing and I’m so glad I found it.
glad you liked it!!!!
This is excellent! I’ve been looking for a coleslaw recipe for awhile (I can’t stand the store bought coleslaw or dressing mixes). This will be my go-to coleslaw recipe going forward! Great job!
glad you liked it!
I don’t like KFC and won’t eat there anymore, although we ate there when I was a kid. But when I did, I always loved their coleslaw. Store-bought coleslaw here is AWFUL and I’ve never been able to find anything close, so I had just kinda written off coleslaw.
I learned how to smoke meat on my pellet grill and wanted some coleslaw to serve with it. Searching for a KFC copycat and found this. IT’S WONDERFUL!!!!!!
I mean, I can’t tell you how wonderful this is. Tastes exactly how I remembered it and I would totally make this for any potluck gathering and not be worried one second about people not liking it. You really hit one out of the park on this one! THANK YOU!!!!!
Aw Peggy – you’re the best!!!!