KFC Coleslaw (Copycat)

KFC Coleslaw is a five minute side dish you’ll enjoy all summer long with your favorite chicken and more! Tastes exactly like the original!

KFC Coleslaw is a five minute side dish you'll enjoy all summer long with your favorite chicken and more! Tastes exactly like the original!

KFC Coleslaw is one of my most personal childhood food memories. As a young kid I would walk from my elementary school with my great aunt and we would stop at KFC (then Kentucky Fried Chicken) to get a chicken plate to share and a pudding cup to share. I just remember the most happy memories of our time together there, we would sit and talk and laugh.

To this day anytime I eat or make this KFC Coleslaw I think of her. I’m sure many of us have memories like this, which is why copycat recipes are also so personal. You want to recreate those memories or those long lost flavors (Like Pioneer Take-Out Fried Chicken) and anytime you succeed there is joy.

Speaking of KFC, you can also enjoy this coleslaw with KFC Original Fried Chicken and make your own chicken plate for a lot less money!

This KFC Coleslaw is probably one of the easiest copycats I have worked on in a long time. The ingredients were readily available online from so many sources it is hard to tell where the original came from. The version I found was from Food.com.

Looking for more recipes to serve with this easy coleslaw?

We loved this KFC Coleslaw, it tasted exactly like the original.

Tools used in the making of this KFC Coleslaw:
Food Processor: This is the newer version of the one I have used and loved for ten years. It is a workhorse and the new model has similarly awesome reviews…and it is so affordable!
Buttermilk Powder: I stopped buying buttermilk  years ago and keep this on hand for dressings, waffles, homemade ranch seasoning and more. One container has served over 100 recipes to date. You don’t have to throw away 50% full buttermilk containers anymore. I also love their all natural cheddar powder and sour cream powder (I use these to make Cheddar and Sour Cream Roasted Potatoes that taste just like the chips!) and Chicago Mix Cheddar and Caramel Popcorn.
Mayonnaise: I’ve tried a number of different brands, this one is the most spot on flavor.

 

KFC Coleslaw in just a few minutes with easy ingredients. It tastes exactly the same!
4.8 from 48 votes
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KFC Coleslaw

KFC Coleslaw is a five minute side dish you'll enjoy all summer long with your favorite chicken and more! Tastes exactly like the original!
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword cole slaw, Easy Cole Slaw, KFC Coleslaw (Copycat)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 113 kcal
Author Sabrina Snyder

Ingredients

  • 8 cups diced cabbage (I used a food processor shredding disc)
  • 1 carrot (also used the food processor)
  • 2 tablespoons grated onions
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (I used buttermilk powder to make mine)
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl add the cabbage, carrot, onion.
  2. In a second bowl whisk the rest of the ingredients together until combined and smooth.
  3. Toss together thoroughly and put in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours (the longer, the better).

Nutrition Facts
KFC Coleslaw
Amount Per Serving
Calories 113 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 200mg9%
Potassium 40mg1%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Sugar 7g8%
Vitamin A 1045IU21%
Vitamin C 2.1mg3%
Calcium 16mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
We loved this KFC Coleslaw, it tasted exactly like the original.
KFC Coleslaw in just a few minutes with easy ingredients. It tastes exactly the same!

About the Author: Sabrina Snyder

Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.

Dinner, then Dessert, Inc. owns the copyright on all images and text and does not allow for its original recipes and pictures to be reproduced anywhere other than at this site unless authorization is given. If you enjoyed the recipe and would like to publish it on your own site, please re-write it in your own words, and link back to my site and recipe page. Read my disclosure and copyright policy. This post may contain affiliate links.

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Comments

  1. I see what Jeannie is saying, do you add the buttermilk powder to milk or water to make buttermilk or do you just add the powder to the mayo mixture?

  2. Do you just add the buttermilk powder to the mayo mixture or do you make follow the directions on the powder container and with water then add to mayo mixture?

    1. You need to use the buttermilk powder to make 1/4 cup of buttermilk and then add that into the bowl with the other ingredients. Hope this clears up any confusion. Enjoy!

    1. I usually just make the 8 ounces by mixing 3 tablespoons of the powder with 7.5 ounces of water and then using 1/4 cup for this recipe and using the other part for something else that I need later. Good luck!

  3. I make this once a week for my family and my elderly friend. I found The buttermilk powder at our local Amish market and that is definitely the key. This is the best slaw I’ve ever had!

  4. I think KFC adds mustard powder to flavour their coleslaw… I make mine just like yours but use sour cream and mayo instead of milk and buttermilk and I add spring onions instead of diced onions. With the mustard powder element, it gives the ultimate taste of KFC coleslaw.

  5. I tried it using a bag of store bought coleslaw mix. I didn’t think there was enough juice to it and it didn’t have much flavor. My husband loved it though.

  6. I worked at KFC years ago late 70 early 80s cole slaw was made with Miracles Whip, sugar and Teragon Vinegar and carrot. Heads of cabbage including dark green outer leaves were put in one end of a big grinder and it moved and came out the other end perfect . There was no green peppers or onion In it or dairy back then. I Don’t have measurement but I mix Miracle Whip and sugar together and add enough Teragon Vinegar to taste. Makes a great sauce for your slaw.

  7. My son loves Cole slaw, I do not. Together we found this recipe and made it. He loves it and, surprisingly, so do I. I have made many times and there is always someone who tells me they do not like Cole slaw but they love this recipe. It’s a keeper for sure!

  8. The recipe is mayo, sugar, vegetable oil and apple cider vinegar and no onions. I use to work there years ago and this is how we made it

    1. I definitely taste onion in the coleslaw, possibly green onion. It might be grated in with the prepackaged cabbage. Not very much or it will overpower the taste.

  9. Do you have to use mayonnaise I don’t like mayonnaise I use miracle whip do you think that will be OK

    1. Since Miracle Whip is much sweeter than mayo you might want to use less sugar than recipe calls for.

  10. I know the recipe states it serves 10. Could you tell me what’s considered a serving size for this recipe? Perhaps it’s listed and I overlooked it.

  11. Perfect! I used a hand dicer to dice it all up like you get it at KFC. And much thanks for the powdered buttermilk idea! It will be a staple in my kitchen

    1. The calculations are automatically done for me. If it’s of concern, you can always use an online calculator to figure out the numbers.

    2. It states 113 under calories, 8 grams for carbs. I used 1/3 cup Splenda instead of the sugar . . . . very, VERY good. And cuts the carbs to nearly nothing.

  12. Hi Sabrina, Thank you for this recipe. Can you help me break this down to 4 servings? It’s probably simple math but this old brain is stuck… pure and simple. Thank you!

    1. Haha, I know what you mean!! You can use the slider tool on all of the recipe cards to adjust the serving size. Just hover over the servings and slide it down to 4 servings and all the measurements will adjust for you. Enjoy!

        1. If you go to the recipe card at the bottom and hover over the serving size (in green), it’ll automatically pop up for you. Hope this helps!

    1. This will last about 3-5 days in the fridge. Unfortunately it can’t be frozen due to the mayonnaise in it. It tends to separate after being frozen.

  13. If I don’t have buttermilk can I skip it? Do I have to add more milk if I don’t use buttermilk?

  14. I have used this recipe for years. I lowered the sugar to about 1 teaspoon. I always serve it at family gatherings and everyone loves it.

  15. This is always my go to when the family wants coleslaw. No leftovers gives me the information I need on how good it is. Thank you for doing all the hard work and giving us this recipe.

    1. Greetings!
      Thank you for your slaw recipe!
      I just want to ask if you mixed the buttermilk powder with water or used plain dry 1/4 cup buttermilk powder?
      If diluted, may i, please, ask the ratio?
      Thank you! Can’t wait to make it!

      1. I usually just make the 8 ounces by mixing 3 tablespoons of the powder with 7.5 ounces of water and then using 1/4 cup for this recipe and using the other part for something else that I need later. Good luck!

  16. I am sure your recipe is delightful.
    40 years ago , one of the kitchen workers at our local KFC – divulged to my mother – they used Marzettis slaw dressing and added a touch of small chopped onions.
    I have been making it the same way since I moved out on my own.

  17. Oh my goodness!!!! THE BEST cole slaw recipe!!! My mom in law is Vietnamese and a VERY PICKY eate but she loves the slaw!!! God bless you for the great recipes!!!

  18. I will say close, but I worked at kfc 50 years ago when we made in store and you are still off the receipe. Nice try however.

    1. Hey Cee Cee. So I wish I had access to KFC’s actual recipes, I don’t. What I do is buy large sides and taste test against my versions until I get close enough people who I give blind taste tests to can’t taste the difference. I very well could be off on the ingredients, but I can assure you the flavors are spot on. Give it a shot, tell me what you think.

  19. This is my go-to coleslaw recipe. I scale it down for 2 people and sometimes I just use all regular milk and omit the buttermilk. Depends on what’s in the fridge. It is delicious. With summer coming, I will be making this a lot as a side for burgers on the grill.

  20. If you love KFC coleslaw, LOOK NO FURTHER! Ever since I made the recipe for myself (about 5 years ago) I have never looked back!!!!! The only tip I would offer is to go light on the onions….loI Only made that mistake once?

    1. Phyllis so glad you mentioned the onions. I was going to use more because I love onions, But I wouldn’t want to mess up the KFC flavor ever. I would eat the family size container if my family would let me and didn’t love the slaw as much as I do. lol

  21. This is a great mock recipe! Tastes exactly like the coleslaw you get at KFC! lol imagine that? 😀 Anyway, we love the coleslaw there, but not too keen on the chicken so we don’t go very often. Now we don’t have to; when we crave the slaw, all we have to do is make it. That simple 🙂

  22. I am also a trained chef. I used both your chicken and slaw recipes and they are spot on and especially to the old school KFC. Just blown away and now I will be looking thru all your recipes. I work at a country club and my members think it is better then KFC but I use plumper chicken. For my own family it is awesome because KFC isn’t cheap anymore. Thanks so much for this.

  23. You Don’t Have Any Celery Seed Or Celery Salt Nor Any Green Bell Peppers In This !!! I Also Use Miracle Whip , Makes For All The Better Flavors !!!

    1. Sorry, I would never recommend Miracle Whip…..just no. KFC does not have bell pepper in it, so anyone looking to make KFC style do not use these modifications please. It is perfect as written.

  24. Hi, I have buttermilk powder as well. Can you share with me the general proportions , please!

    Best New Year wishes!!!!!

    Cecile

    1. I usually just make 8 ounces of buttermilk at a time to use for the week and take my 1/4 cup from that. Mix 3 tablespoons of buttermilk powder with 7.5 ounces of water. Hope this helps!

      1. I live in Panamá. So many of the recepies I find use ingrédients not available even in the large supermarkets. For instance buttermilk powder. I can’t find buttermilk either. What if anything can you sugest in place of the buttermilk. Thanks David in Panamá.

        1. You can make your own buttermilk by simply mixing in 1/4 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with 1/4 cup of milk. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Hope this helps!

      2. Thank you Sabrina for the tip on using powder. I always end up throwing away my unused fresh buttermilk too.

        1. YES, that trick has saved me from many half used containers of buttermilk! Glad you liked it!

  25. Greetings and question…

    The 1/4 cup buttermilk…

    Is this the actual amount of powder one uses or is there a conversion?

    Such as 1/4 cup buttermilk equals 1 tbsp. powder and 1/4 cup of water.

    Thanks!

    Mo

    1. It’s the conversion to get 1/4 cup buttermilk. So the total is 1/4 cup of liquid. Hope this helps! Let me know how you like it.

  26. I Love KFC Coleslaw. More than the chicken.
    When i made this recipe Wow. Just like KFC !!!!
    I also used buttermilk powder.
    I make this once a month.

    1. Thank you for the clarification on the vinegar. Now i have to go back to the store haha. I’m sure it will be well worth the trip.

  27. This is “THE” recipe to have for coleslaw!
    I make it EXACTLY as the recipe shows, except, I use Half ‘n Half vice whole milk.
    The other thing I do, which isn’t a real departure from the recipe, is to mince the coleslaw mixture before adding the dressing.
    We like coleslaw finely minced rather than shreds or bite size pieces.

    MY STANDARD COLESLAW RECIPE.

  28. The best!! I’ve been making this for years. I’m required to bring it to many gatherings.

    I make my own buttermilk: for 1/4 cup it’s a 1/4 cup of milk and 3/4 teaspoon of either lemon juice OR vinegar.

    I make it 24 hours before time though it’s not necessary.

      1. Not to jump in but I promise you it does, lol. Look at the other reviews. This is definitely the same flavors.

    1. Hi Sabrina —–
      Are there onions or not?????
      How many tablespoons of buttermilk powder for 1/4 cup?
      What kind of grater for onions??? The link doesn’t work anymore.
      Can I use blender that has shredding disc to dice the cabbage, carrots?
      Can you just put tarragon in white vinegar if tarragon vinegar not available? (Dried tarragon??)
      Thanks!

      1. Ok, lots of questions….The onions are listed in the recipe card. If you’re using buttermilk powder, follow the instructions for the brand you’re using. The one linked is 3 tablespoons added to 7.5 ounces of water makes 1 cup. You can cut that by a fourth for this recipe or make a whole cup and use for other dishes. I have a Hamilton Beach food processor (the link seems to still work for me so not sure if there’s a glitch on your end or not).

  29. Absolutely the best coleslaw! Food processor the only way to go for tiny minced cabbage just like KFC!

  30. Hi Sabrina,
    I was so pleasantly surpirsed when I tried your coleslaw recipe and it turned out absolutely top-notch delicious! In my opinion, the best way to eat it is on a beef hot dog with nothing else except a dab of mustard! I just love it, and sincerely thank you for sharing your fine-tuned recipe.

  31. Thank you so much for the recipe, I made the dressing and it tastes spot on, yay! I am making this for a barbecue on Saturday and I know it will be amazing 🙂

    My question is about exactly how you process the cabbage and carrots. You mention that you use the shredding attachment of the food processor. This is the cheese grater one, right? I assume the larger side? Do you do anything to the cabbage before/after putting it through the shredder? In the pic, it looks like it is more chopped that shreds (which is exactly like the KFC kind) and I am wondering how you made it like that with the shredder. Maybe you cut into chunks before sticking in the shredder?

    Either way I’m positive it will be great just based on the dressing, but any help will be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance!

    1. I’m so sorry I didn’t see this earlier. I’m glad this recipe is exactly what you were looking for. I used the shredding disk (shredding side facing up) in the food processor to get this consistency. I did cut it into smaller chunks before shredding though. I hope you enjoyed it!

  32. What kind of onion do I use? & am I really “grating” an onion on a cheese grater?
    thanks & I’m excited to try this!

    1. You can use a yellow onion and yes, grate it using a grater. 🙂 It really helps to distribute the flavor more vs having bigger chunks throughout. Enjoy!

  33. I heard a story from my cousin yesterday, that the original Cole slaw recipe for “Colonel Sanders Kentucky Fried Chicken” was my Aunt Alberta’s recipe. I have followed almost this exact recipe since I was young. I’m 69 yrs old now.
    Not sure how I could prove it because I’ve never seen it written down, not that I recall. Just thought it was interesting and fun to share.

  34. Ditch the white wine vinegar for your coleslaw and add great flavor with terigan vinegar. All you should need is about a cap full.

  35. I’ve made this so many times! In one comment someone said that KFC uses Tarragon vinegar. I’ve looked in a few stores and can’t find it so I sprinkle Tarragon in the slaw. I also use the buttermilk powder but I simply mix the powder into the whole milk since I like a thicker dressing. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Whenever we are invited for a cook-out they always ask me to bring this.

      1. I am so anxious to try these recipes. Thank you for sharing them. I have been an avid fan of KFC ALL my life. Thank you so much.

    1. hi how much buttermilk powder would you use when you mix it with the milk? I also like my coleslaw a bit thicker too.

      1. You’ll want to mix 1 tablespoon of buttermilk powder with 1/4 cup of water to make the buttermilk. Hope this helps!

  36. Did not have buttermilk used all milk and extra lemon juice used the slaw for Rueben sandwiches very good had left overs next day taste even better!!

  37. Just tried this recipe and it is SPOT ON EXACTLY the taste that our family is obsessed with!! By that comment, it is needless to say that our family LOVES Kentucky Fried Chicken and the coleslaw has been the scale tipper when we could not decide which take out we wanted on the nights we were too busy to cook at home. We have not cared much for the last 15 years the way KFC changed and can say that it is a far cry in portion and quality since the 1970’s ( a time when it was true quality). I will be making the KFC chicken recipe this week to try and will post the results asap… I have not been this excited about a recipe in years! Thank you Sabrina for posting them up, we are forever grateful 🙂

    1. My parents owned KFC years ago & I my mom made the slaw dressing. I know it had sugar in it. I never had the recipe and mom does not know what she did with it. No longer own KFC.

  38. I just made this today for Christmas and I have to say it’s so good. Taste like KFC. Thanks so much for the recipe.

      1. I think she is referring to this line in the recipe above – it doesn’t seem to belong to this recipe: “Note: click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.”

        1. It gives the impression that we have to “cook” something in the recipe.
        2. There are no times in the instructions to click on.

  39. Easy to make and delicious! I used Kroger’s 16 ounce bagged slaw mix …and added a little less carrots than the recipe calls for .

  40. This is the best Cole slaw! I’ve made it MANY times. I use one bag of Cole slaw mix and chop it up it saves alot of time.

  41. How much buttermilk powder did you use? Also, which mayo (I prefer Kraft, myself).
    I have not tried this recipe yet.

    1. Mix 1 part powder to 4 parts water to make up 1/4 cup buttermilk. As far as the mayo, you can use whatever brand you prefer but I like Best Foods. Enjoy!

      1. Is the buttermilk powder as good as the fresh? I have never tried to cook with it and will be buying it for fresh recipes as this (not just baked where it may not be as noticeable of a difference) thank you for the wonderful recipes!

        1. The buttermilk adds to the flavor profile. You won’t want to use fresh buttermilk in this recipe as it’s a liquid and won’t give us the end result that we want. Hope this makes sense. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes!

  42. Delicious! I have made this about 5 times in the 2 months since I found the recipe. Everyone loves it. My mom (who lives KFC slaw) said “I’ve never had slaw this this delicious!”

  43. I read somewhere online that a KFC employee suggested that tarragon vinegar is a key ingredient of their coleslaw dressing. I sprinkled just a little tarragon seasoning on Walmart’s deli coleslaw and I was surprised that the flavor was brought into the “ballpark” of KFC’s recipe.

    I think I’ll try your recipe with tarragon vinegar in place of white vinegar. Thanks!

    1. This recipe is TOTALLY wrong. I have THE recipe. I used to work at KFC & would make the coleslaw. There are WAY too many ingredients for a very simple recipe. And you are right about the Tarragon vinegar.

  44. Delicious! Made this for a gathering and it is a hit! Didnt have lemon juice so I substituted with lume juice. Also used 2 precut cabbage & carrots. Perfect.

  45. Thanks for the recipe and wanted to add that I have never heard of buttermilk powder and thanks to you I have read a lot about it and I will be a convert going forward. I have always hated wasting regular buttermilk as you never use it all. Great tip!

  46. Great recipe, make sure you make it in advance to allow the juices to combine. You can substitute Greek yogurt for the butter milk

  47. This is by far my favorite recipe for KFC Coleslaw! Than you for providing such a great recipe! 🙂

  48. came back from vacation in USA and missed this salat soooo much! Now I have America at home! Delicious!

  49. Just made the dressing ahead of time but it seems a bit runny.  I tripled the recipe for a 30-40 guests.  Wondering if it will thicken a bit.   Cant wait to try as KFC coleslaw is my favorite!

  50. Just a comment; the original Kentucky Fried Chicken cole slaw was also served dine-in and came on a real plate with a biscuit and a packet of honey as well as fries and, of course, several pieces of chicken.  This would be circa 1960 where I live.  Your recipe is almost the same copycat I have used for years and it is GOOD!  But if you want to make this coleslaw and don’t have carrot, don’t fret because the original did NOT include carrot!  Going to make some tonight!

  51. I’m so excited to make this for my very best friend who totally adores KFC Cole slaw.  And, I have to say that though I have not been a Cole slaw fan previously, the KFC version is yummmmmmy!   Thank you for this recipe!

  52. as a chef i know how it is to do things right.. get every thing just right and u gotta respect the proper portions and ingredeints to make a true recipe just like the original.. im glad this works but they say that to use mirace whip instead of mayo.. i will see how it works.. gotta love cooking.. its just life and the way u make thngs but do it right and admire but apprevite it.. many plp dont appreitw what it means to give live to the art of cooking..

  53. I have made this about 5 times in the last month. My man loves it. I can’t thank you enough, it is spot on perfect KFC. So simple and I feel better about making it homemade. 
    Thank you 

  54. Found it and tried it right away because I Love the KFC coleslaw. I used more milk and the 1,5% one and it looks good and taste already great. I is in the fridge now and I am sute it will taste even better  later
    Thanks and greetings from Germany 

  55. Thanx for the recipe. I made it yesterday and it was a smash hit. Now, a couple of notes for next time. I used a splenda-sugar blend to cut carbs. After sitting in refrigerator overnight, did taste test and it was too sweet for our liking. I added another tablespoon of lemon juice to cut sweetness. It was great. Next time, I will reduce the amount of sugar i put into it.

  56. Did you reconstitute the buttermilk powder+water to make 1/4 cup?
    Or did you use 1/4 cup of the buttermilk powder alone, added to the rest of the ingredients?
    It doesn’t say buttermilk ‘powder’ in the ingredients, so I’m a little confused.
    Thanks in advance!

    1. So sorry for the confusion. I made the 1/4 cup of buttermilk using buttermilk powder plus water. I didn’t want you to think you had to use the buttermilk powder for this recipe though. It’s just a nice thing to have on hand to make the buttermilk vs buying buttermilk and wasting anything not used. I edited the ingredients so hopefully it’s clearer now. Thanks for letting me know.

        1. 1/4 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of buttermilk powder if you are using the brand I linked to. If you use an alternate brand I would review the label. 🙂

  57. Thanks for this awesome recipe! I have fond memories of KFC growing up. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try!

  58. Coleslaw is one of my favorite salad! And this dressing sounds perfect! I need to try your recipe! Thanks

  59. This looks exactly like the KFC coleslaw – you nailed it! Perfect for summertime barbecues.

  60. YUM!! This coleslaw looks really, reeeally GOOD!! Can’t wait to give it a try!!