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?
- The Obvious: KFC Original Recipe Chicken (Copycat) and Pioneer Take-Out Fried Chicken
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Super Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
- Loaded Baked Potato Salad
- Easy Mashed Potatoes + 10 Add-In Ideas!
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.
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
- In a large bowl add the cabbage, carrot, onion.
- In a second bowl whisk the rest of the ingredients together until combined and smooth.
- Toss together thoroughly and put in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours (the longer, the better).
I am so curious on where to buy the buttermilk powder? I’m like you I hated to buy it cuz I threw half of it away I would always make it with vinegar instead but the powder sounds like it would be much more original taste maybe but where do you buy these powders are you actually in the United States or is this something that from another country
I bought it from Amazon. In the recipe card, if you click on the word ‘buttermilk’ (in green) it’ll take you to the link to purchase it.
I buy mine from amazon. I live in Canada and I could not find it ANYWHERE! Amazon came through for me though.
I made this recipe for dinner tonight and it is spot on. Thank you for the recipe.
You’re welcome, Daisy.
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?
You’ll add the powder to water to make buttermilk to add to the recipe.
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?
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!
Hello,
How much buttermilk powder to use?
Vivi
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!
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!
Do u use red onions
I didn’t but you could if you wanted to change up the flavor a bit.
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.
Sorry buddy but this is not your recipe page! We are talking about her recipe…NOT YOURS. That is just so rude of you. If people wanted your recipe….they would ask you wouldn’t they? I hate it when people do this. PLEASE respect other peoples site!!!
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.
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.
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!
I’m so glad you decided to give it a try! Thanks for the 5 star rating.
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
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.
Didn´t use buttermilk because I didn´t have but still delicious!
Milk and vinegar or milk and lemon juice works……google it. Much cheaper than buying a whole container of buttermilk that you won’t use in time ;P
Made this and the family loved it. Was told to add to the favorite list.
Yay!!
Do you have to use mayonnaise I don’t like mayonnaise I use miracle whip do you think that will be OK
It’ll adjust the flavor but yes, you can use it. Enjoy!
I also find it has a more bitter taste. My mom swore by Miracle whip. I use half fat Hellman’s and if the recipe calls for Miracle whip…I add a squirt of vinegar….tastes like Miracle whip. I have been cooking for 42 plus yrs. Maybe cut back on the vinegar a bit and it should work!
Since Miracle Whip is much sweeter than mayo you might want to use less sugar than recipe calls for.
Delicious!! I tried today and I love it. Thank you
You’re welcome, Anita.
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.
1/2 cup 🙂 Enjoy!
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
Yay!!
Are you sure that the carbohydrate amount is 113gm/serving?
The calculations are automatically done for me. If it’s of concern, you can always use an online calculator to figure out the numbers.
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.
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!
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!
I do not see the slide tool how do I adjust the serving size thanks
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!
This recipe is perfect. Favorite coleslaw ever. Thanks for the great recipe.
Thanks, Alyssa.
Hi there , I will try the recipe today. How long can we store the coleslaw? Can freeze it?
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.
If I don’t have buttermilk can I skip it? Do I have to add more milk if I don’t use buttermilk?
You can make your own using milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
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.
So glad you love it so much, Bill.
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.
Yep, I’d call that a winner too.
Absolutely delicious!! We served it with hot dogs & potato chips for a spring picnic. So good!!
Thanks for the 5 star rating, Amanda.
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!
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!
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.
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!!!
You just made my day, Brian. Thank you for coming back to let me know.
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.
Amazing!! I made it exactly as written. I used 2 cups red cabbage and the rest green.
KFC coleslaw DOES NOT have any milk products.
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.
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.
So glad you love it so much, Val. Thanks for the 5 stars.
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?
Thanks for the rave review, Phyllis.
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
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 🙂
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.
You’re welcome!
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 !!!
Eugene…this is a COPYCAT recipe from KFC, not an original recipe.
The one ingredient thats missing is 1 tablespoon of horseradish sauce
If you use all that it’s not KFC coleslaw anymore lady.
This recipe is absolutely perfect. I think it tastes even better than KFCs version. Thanks!
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.
Miracle whip in my opinion, is horrible.
Hi, I have buttermilk powder as well. Can you share with me the general proportions , please!
Best New Year wishes!!!!!
Cecile
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!
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.
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!
there is no measurement for 1/4 of a tablespoon. 1/3 tbsp. is close.
I am not a chemist or a chef, but just curious, why do you use buttermilk if milk + vinegar = buttermilk and there is milk + vinegar in the recipe? Thanks.
This is a copycat recipe and that’s what is used.
Thank you Sabrina for the tip on using powder. I always end up throwing away my unused fresh buttermilk too.
YES, that trick has saved me from many half used containers of buttermilk! Glad you liked it!
Does the coleslaw taste the same as KFC’s original?
Yes, if you tried it in a blind taste test you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. 🙂
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
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.
OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS FREAKING AWESOME!! I used Tri-color coleslaw bags from Walmart. Way easy!!
Yay!! Thanks for coming back to let me know, Gail.
This sounds soooo good does it taste the same as the original?
Cheers sabrina
Mike
NZ
Pinky swear. Yes, the same 🙂
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.
Sounds awesome Mike
Mike
NZ
My hubby manager a KFC while we were in college, its tarragon vinegar not white. He makes for us for our cookouts.
That’s a great insider tip – thank you!
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.
Apple cider vinegar ?
Never heard of tarragon vinegar….can I add an amount of tarragon to white vinegar?
looks good, but doesnt resemble kfc
Looks rally good. I love a great cole slaw recipe. Thank you!
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.
Yay!! Thanks for coming back to let me know.
That’s exactly how KFC serves their Cole slaw. It’s finely chopped instead of ribbons of cabbage. This copycat version is the best I’ve found!
Thank you Mary!
How big of a serving size is this?
1/2 cup
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.
Miracle whip or regular mayo?
Mayo 🙂
Do you use 1/4cup buttermilk and the measurement of lemon juice..white vinegar?? Or one or the other??
You’ll be using all of the ingredients listed in the recipe card. I hope you enjoy it!
I use real Mao.
I worked at KFC. There’s no onions in the coleslaw, unless maybe they changed the recipe.
Do they cook their chicken in a deep fryer or a pressure cooker?
It Is Cooked In A Broaster = Deep Fryer/Pressure Cookers !!!
does this recipe taste anything like kfcs
Not to jump in but I promise you it does, lol. Look at the other reviews. This is definitely the same flavors.
I use this recipe, too, and it tastes exactly like KFC.
Yes there is onions.?
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!
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).
Jeff… yes it is!!.. I’ve also worked at KFC and made the Coleslaw myself!!
Absolutely the best coleslaw! Food processor the only way to go for tiny minced cabbage just like KFC!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Robin.
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.
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!
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!