KFC Copycat Coleslaw Recipe (Using 1 Bag of Coleslaw Mix)

If you enjoy the taste of KFC coleslaw, you are going to love this easy, homemade copycat coleslaw recipe. Coleslaw, in general, is one of those side dishes that is extremely popular during the summer months.

And with picnic season in full force, and with Independence Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to have a cool, creamy bowl of coleslaw ready in the fridge. This recipe uses a 14-ounce bag of coleslaw mix to keep prep easy, but it gets a big flavor boost from a homemade dressing that tastes just like KFC’s famous coleslaw.

This slaw is creamy, tangy, a little bit sweet, and has that nostalgic flavor a lot of people recognize from the drive-thru. If you’re used to buying the famous side dish from KFC, this homemade version is going to blow you away.

The best part? You can make it ahead of time because it needs time to chill in the fridge.

How Much Coleslaw Do You Need?

When cooking for two, it is hard to determine how much food to make, and it all depends if you are wanting to have any leftovers at all. For me, I think coleslaw tastes even better a day or two after it is made.

Therefore, I don’t mind having a little leftover to enjoy with lunch or dinner the next day. However, I don’t want so much that I am eating it for the entire week.

So whether you are planning a meal for one or two, or if you’re planning for a small group or a cookout, it helps to know how much coleslaw to serve per person. A good average for this KFC copycat coleslaw recipe is about 3 to 4 ounces of coleslaw per person. A standard 14-ounce bag of coleslaw mix will make just about four generous servings, especially when you add the dressing.

If you’re hosting a larger group, you can double or triple this recipe easily – just grab more bags of mix and multiply the dressing ingredients.

The Shortcut: Using Bagged Coleslaw Mix

Using a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix will save you a ton of time. Most 14-ounce bags include shredded green cabbage, a little red cabbage, and some carrots. It’s a great blend for soaking up that creamy KFC copycat coleslaw dressing.

Now, if you want your slaw to taste even more like the KFC original, here’s a helpful tip: chop the mix finer in a food processor before adding the dressing. That’s the secret to getting that soft, finely textured slaw that almost melts in your mouth.

Just pulse the mix a few times in your food processor until the pieces are small, but don’t overdo it, or it’ll turn to mush.

Homemade KFC-Style Coleslaw Dressing

The dressing is what gives this slaw its signature flavor. It’s a creamy blend of mayonnaise, sugar, buttermilk, lemon juice, and just enough vinegar for tang. There’s also a little bit of milk to thin it out and some finely minced onion for a mild bite.

Here’s the full list of ingredients for the dressing and the amount that you need. Now all you have to do is measure, stir and toss it with the bag of coleslaw.

KFC Copycat Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon milk
• 2 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

This amount of dressing is just right for tossing with one 14-ounce bag of coleslaw mix.

KFC Copycat Coleslaw Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (14-ounce) bag coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
• Homemade dressing (see above)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Optional step: Finely chop the slaw mix in a food processor. If you want that soft, KFC-style texture, pulse the coleslaw mix a few times until it’s more finely chopped. If you prefer a chunkier slaw, you can skip this step.
2. Make the dressing. In a small mixing bowl, combine the minced onion, sugar, mayonnaise, buttermilk, milk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add the slaw mix to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss well until everything is evenly coated.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chilling helps the cabbage soften a little and lets all the flavors blend together. If you have time, make it the night before – it only gets better.
5. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if needed. Some people like to sprinkle in a little more pepper or a pinch of sugar right before serving.

Make It Ahead

One of the best things about this KFC copycat coleslaw recipe is how well it holds up in the fridge. If you’re prepping for a Fourth of July picnic or potluck, go ahead and make it the day before. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and stir it again right before you serve it.

Coleslaw is good in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days, but it’s best within the first 24 hours when it still has a nice bit of crunch.

Serving Ideas

This homemade coleslaw is a great side dish for almost any summer meal. Whether you’re grilling burgers or want it as a topping for sandwiches, it comes in handy. Here are some great ways you can serve it:

• Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches – spoon a big scoop right on top or add it as a side dish.
• Grilled hot dogs or brats
• Fried chicken or tenders
• Ribs or BBQ chicken
• Burgers with a little slaw on top for extra texture

It also makes a great topping for fish tacos or BBQ chicken wraps.

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with leftover coleslaw, store it in the fridge in a sealed container. It’ll stay good for up to 2–3 days, but keep in mind the longer it sits, the more moisture will come out of the cabbage. Stir the KFC copycat coleslaw before serving and you can always add a small spoonful of mayo if it needs to be freshened up.

If you’re worried about it getting soggy, here’s a helpful trick: mix the dressing separately and only combine what you plan to serve right away. Then keep the rest in the fridge and mix up a new batch as needed.

Why This Recipe Is One Of My Summertime Favorites

• It’s fast and easy. With the bagged slaw mix and simple ingredients, you can make this in under 10 minutes.
• It tastes like KFC. If you love the flavor of KFC coleslaw, this will hit the mark.
• Perfect make-ahead side dish. You don’t have to worry about reheating, and it actually improves after chilling.
• Customizable. You can tweak the dressing to your preference. You can add more lemon juice if you like it tangier, or bump up the sugar for a sweeter taste.

This homemade coleslaw recipe is a summer essential. It’s quick to make, loaded with flavor, and always a hit at cookouts, especially around the Fourth of July.

Using a 14-ounce bag of coleslaw mix cuts down on prep time, and the homemade dressing brings everything together with a creamy, sweet-and-tangy flavor that’s just like the famous KFC version.

If you’ve never made slaw from scratch before, give this one a try. Once you taste the dressing, you might never go back to store-bought again. For more summer side dish recipes, check out my Best Baked Beans Recipe (Made With A Can Of Baked Beans).

Enjoy! Mary

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