Everyone loves the crispy chicken at KFC, but their coleslaw is equally iconic. This KFC-style coleslaw is creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and perfectly crunchy—a perfect side for fried chicken, sandwiches, or as a refreshing salad.
✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🥗 Creamy, slightly sweet, and tangy
- 🥕 Crunchy cabbage and carrot mix
- 👩🍳 Easy to make at home with simple ingredients
- 🌱 Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a side for fried chicken
- ⏱ Quick prep—ready in under 15 minutes
📝 Ingredients
Vegetables:
- 4 cups finely chopped green cabbage
- ½ cup finely chopped carrots
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion (optional for extra flavor)
Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk)
- 1½ tablespoons white vinegar
- 2½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice (optional for extra tang)
🍳 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Vegetables
- Finely chop cabbage and carrots.
- For best results, use a sharp knife or food processor for even texture.
- Optional: finely chop onion and mix in.
2. Make the Dressing
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice until smooth.
3. Combine Vegetables and Dressing
- Pour the dressing over the chopped vegetables.
- Mix thoroughly until all vegetables are coated evenly.
4. Chill for Maximum Flavor
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better).
- Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the coleslaw to soften slightly, giving that classic KFC taste.
5. Serve
- Serve chilled as a side dish with fried chicken, sandwiches, or as a refreshing salad.
💡 Tips for Perfect KFC-Style Coleslaw
- Chop vegetables very finely to mimic KFC’s creamy texture
- Let it rest in the fridge for a few hours for best flavor
- Use granulated sugar, not brown sugar, for that classic taste
- Adjust vinegar and lemon juice for your preferred tang level
🔄 Variations You Can Try
- 🍋 Extra Tangy – Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
- 🥕 Sweetened Version – Increase sugar slightly for a sweeter flavor
- 🥬 Mixed Slaw – Add red cabbage for color
- 🥗 Keto-Friendly – Replace sugar with erythritol and use full-fat mayo
🧾 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 150–180
- Carbohydrates: 10–12g
- Protein: 1–2g