KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (2024)

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by Stephanie on May 26, 2020 (Updated February 2, 2023)11*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

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If you love the famous KFC Coleslaw recipe,you’ll love knowing how to make it at home with some simple ingredients and an easy hack for extra crispy slaw!This is a great BBQ Side dish idea to feed a crowd.

Be sure to pair this with a batch of Cheddar Bay Biscuits!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe

Guys, I did a lot of testing and research to bring you this recipe, and trust me. This is the best copycat that you’ll find for KFC’s famous coleslaw recipe.

The ingredient list is important, so try to stick to it.

What is KFC Coleslaw Made Of?

Ingredient quantities and full written instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • Green Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Tarragon
  • Miracle Whip
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Sugar
  • Celery Salt

PRO TIP: Using Miracle Whip is one of the secrets to KFC’s Coleslaw recipe. It’s sweeter, spicier, and contains less oil content than mayonnaise.

KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (2)

How to Make it

1. Salt and Drain the Cabbage:Optional, will yield crispier results.

  • Add 1 Tablespoon of salt per head of shredded cabbage.
  • Let it sit in a colander for 1-2 hours. The salt will draw out a lot of the water in the cabbage.
  • Squeeze out the excess moisture with paper towels or a cheese cloth.

2. Prepare the Dressing

  • Combine the oil, sugar, and celery salt. Stir in the vinegar and tarragon. Fold in the Miracle Whip.
  • Add the carrots and the cabbage, toss well.

3. Serve immediately or marinate.

  • Ideally, you’ll allow the coleslaw to marinate for 12-24 hours, especially if you salted the cabbage first. This will taste most like KFC’s version.
  • Otherwise, serve immediately.

PRO TIP! This nifty cabbage shredder makes the shredding process easier and helps to ensure that your slices are all thin and evenly sliced!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (3)

Will Coleslaw Get Soggy?

In a word? Yes. But you can prevent it.

Green cabbage contains 93% water which can separate when coleslaw is stored for longer periods of time.

To prevent this, it’s recommended that you salt and drain your cabbage prior to making this recipe.

How Long Will Coleslaw Last in the Fridge

Coleslaw should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and is best if used within 3-5 days.

Chilled Coleslaw should be kept at room temperature for no more than 2 hours.

KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (4)

What to Serve with Coleslaw

Homemade Sloppy Joes
Texas Roadhouse Steak Rub
Island Chicken Marinade

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KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat

5 from 3 ratings

Servings: 10

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This easy KFC Coleslaw recipe tastes just like the original! It's made with Miracle Whip and without buttermilk, just like the classic version!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 6 ½ Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • 6 Teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 2 ½ cups Miracle Whip
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 heads green cabbage, finely shredded

Instructions

Salting and Draining Your Cabbage (Optional)

  • If time allows, salt and drain the shredded cabbage prior to assembling to ensure your coleslaw is super crisp. To do this, add 1 To do this, add one tablespoon of salt per head of shredded cabbage and let it sit in a colander for 1-2 hours.

  • After sitting, the cabbage will appear wilted, but will crisp back up once you squeeze out the excess moisture, which can be done with paper towels or a cheese cloth.

Assembling the Coleslaw

  • Combine the oil, sugar, and celery salt until uniform in consistency.

  • Stir in the vinegar and tarragon until well-combined.

  • Fold in the Miracle Whip.

  • Add the carrots and cabbage and toss well to fully combine.

  • Refrigerate for at least 12 hours prior to serving, although 24 hours is ideal.

Notes

2 diced whole carrots is equal to about 2 cups .

This nifty cabbage shredder makes the shredding process easier and helps to ensure that your slices are all thin and evenly sliced!

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 660mg, Potassium: 385mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 43g, Vitamin A: 2270IU, Vitamin C: 67.3mg, Calcium: 83mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Stephanie

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posted by Stephanie on May 26, 2020 — 11 Comments »

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Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

11 comments on “KFC Coleslaw Recipe – BEST Copycat”

  1. Bubbles March 27, 2023 @ 3:17 pm Reply

    Turned out great! I had to sub Mayo for miracle whip and basil for terragon but it got my husband the ultimate coleslaw critic to remark “And THAT’S how coleslaw should taste!”😋 Served on southern night with some bbq shrimp, the cozy cook’s mashed potatoes of course, and chedder jalapeno biscuits, it helped pull everything together!♥️

    • Stephanie March 27, 2023 @ 8:18 pm Reply

      Wow that’s so amazing your husband said that! People can take their coleslaw verrrrry seriously! Sounds like a yummy meal overall, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and review💗

  2. GrammyPammy February 2, 2023 @ 2:41 pm Reply

    Haven’t tried the recipe yet, but look forward to it. I love KFC coleslaw! Just want to mention a little spelling issue in your recipe for coleslaw. Marinade is a noun. Marinate is a verb. If you are soaking cabbage in dressing, it is marinate. The dressing then becomes the marinade. I very much enjoy your site and your recipes. You are wonderfully detail-oriented and that’s so helpful for cooking instructions. Your photos are beautiful and I love your writing style. Thanks for your blog.

    • Stephanie February 2, 2023 @ 2:46 pm Reply

      I have *always* had a problem with that specific word!!! I can’t tell you how many times I have caught myself making that mistake, thank you so much, I will fix it now! I’m so happy that you are enjoying the recipes! Thank you for your support!!

  3. Debbie B October 8, 2022 @ 1:28 pm Reply

    Can I use the bagged, already shredded, cabbage & carrots

    • Stephanie October 8, 2022 @ 3:06 pm Reply

      Yes you can 🙂

  4. Gail August 20, 2021 @ 7:38 am Reply

    Love the recipe however I chopped the cabbage insteaded of shredding because KFS’S coleslaw is chopped –

    • Stephanie August 20, 2021 @ 9:11 am Reply

      Happy to hear you enjoyed it Gail!😍 Thanks for taking the time to comment!

  5. Yolanda Bitzel September 20, 2020 @ 4:04 pm Reply

    This is how my grandma always made her coleslaw. I used to think that KFC stole her recipe. 😁😁

  6. Sally Montgomery September 10, 2019 @ 10:32 pm Reply

    I served this for my family over the weekend and everyone enjoyed it more than the main course! We had no leftovers, thanks for the great recipe!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (2024)

FAQs

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

Does KFC slaw have onions in it? ›

The KFC website lists all ingredients for its cole slaw. They include chopped cabbage; carrots; onions; sugar; water; soybean oil; distilled vinegar; corn syrup; food starch; whole eggs; salt; corn vinegar; spice; apple cider; vinegar; and paprika. It also contains natural and artificial flavors.

What is the coleslaw sauce made of? ›

What Is Coleslaw Dressing Made Of? This creamy, mayo-based dressing uses ingredients you likely have on hand: sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and of course, mayonnaise. The resulting dressing is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and peppery!

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

What is the unhealthiest thing at KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

How many days is KFC coleslaw good for? ›

Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers

Then combine for a fresh batch. How long does KFC Coleslaw last in the fridge? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days. Always stir before serving.

Why is KFC recipe a secret? ›

There are two separate spice mixing companies that each produce half of the "secret recipe" spice mix. These two products are then combined together at the store to bread the chicken. Each of these companies' contracts are managed by separate KFC employees, so at most, anyone could only come up with half of the recipe.

Where is the KFC secret menu now? ›

1. Open the KFC app and start your order, choosing a location for pickup or delivery. 2. Click on the menu icon (the chicken drumstick) at the bottom, then swipe down and hold for about 10 seconds.

Why does KFC keep getting rid of popcorn chicken? ›

It's a tactical effort by the fast food company to streamline the menu. Not all of these items were available at every location, and after gathering data on which items performed well in sales, these were the ones determined to be nixed from menus, KFC U.S. Director Brittany Wilson told USA Today.

Why did KFC get rid of lettuce? ›

It has to do with climate change, supply-chain shortages and inflation — but mostly, with cabbage.

Do KFC use Miracle Whip? ›

KFC Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients:

What is this? Miracle Whip – the key to the KFC coleslaw recipe is to use Miracle Whip in place of traditional mayonnaise. This has been confirmed by an ex-employee who says that KFC makes their coleslaw with Miracle Whip and not mayonnaise. Miracle Whip is the base of this dressing.

How healthy is KFC coleslaw? ›

KFC, Coleslaw contains 161 calories per 112 g serving. This serving contains 9.7 g of fat, 1 g of protein and 18 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 15 g sugar and 2.2 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate. KFC, Coleslaw contains 1.5 g of saturated fat and 2.2 mg of cholesterol per serving.

Why is KFC using cabbage instead of lettuce? ›

KFC says change is due to a lettuce shortage after floods destroyed crops in New South Wales and Queensland. The fried chicken chain KFC has been forced to make menu changes in its burgers and wraps in Australia as the country faces the consequences of floods that destroyed lettuce crops.

What is the KFC Supercharger sauce made of? ›

Episode 3: KFC Supercharged sauce 🔥 Ingredients: 1 Cup Mayo 2 TBS Tomato sauce 1 TBS Worcestershire chief 1 TBS Chipotle in adobo 1 TSP Cayenne pepper 1/2 TSP Salt 1/2 TSP Black pepper 1/2 TSP Sugar 1/2 TSP Garlic power 1/2 TSP Onion powder #burgertok #fyp #viral.

What is Popeyes coleslaw made of? ›

Made with cabbage, red pepper, carrot and onion, this awesome recipe for coleslaw has all of the ingredients you love about traditional coleslaw and is topped with a slightly sweet dressing that sets it apart from many other coleslaw recipes…

What is KFC sauce made of? ›

In a mixing bowl, add ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion juice, vinegar, tabasco sauce, and mayonnaise, chili sauce to it. Also, add black pepper, red pepper, vegetable oil, and garlic. 2. Mix all of them thoroughly.

Is KFC using cabbage instead of lettuce? ›

Fast food giant KFC has been forced to put cabbage in its burgers and wraps in Australia as the country is struggling with a shortage of lettuce. The firm told customers it is using a mixture of lettuce and cabbage after floods destroyed lettuce crops.

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