KFC Coleslaw Recipe with Buttermilk Dressing
This easy KFC Coleslaw Recipe with Buttermilk Dressing tastes just like the restaurant version. Plus it’s the ultimate picnic or barbecue side dish! You’ll find an excuse to make it again and again!
You’ll go crazy for this light, creamy, sweet, and tangy coleslaw dressing which is a simple mixture of buttermilk, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, and a few seasonings. Whisked and added to shredded cabbage makes for the Cabbage Slaw.
Why You Must Make
- This recipe is easy to make and it’s perfect for summer picnics and potlucks!
- It reminds me of the classic KFC coleslaw!
- It’s a tasty side dish any time of year!
This is the best coleslaw recipe of all I’ve tested. It reminds me of that childhood cole slaw, whether carryout or homemade! I could eat a whole batch in one sitting, but I paced myself and enjoyed it over pulled pork and more!
Ingredient Notes
Cabbage and dressing are the two main components of slaw, but with additional ingredients and flavorings, the options are endless. Here are some suggestions on how to shake up your coleslaw recipe:
- Buy preshredded cabbage or shred your own. Add some purple cabbage to the green, and carrots also add some great color.
- Add some mustard or herbs like thyme or dill to the dressing.
- If you’ve never added celery seed to your slaw before, give it a try!
- Add some julienned fruit (cut into thin strips) like apples, pears, and even mangoes
- Toss in crumbled blue cheese to add a salty creaminess
- Nuts or sunflower seeds provide a nice crunch
- Crisp, homemade bacon bits also add salty umami.
- Dried fruit like raisins, dried cherries, dried cranberries, or dried apricots balance the crunchy with some chewiness.
- A Southwest (add some peppers for heat) or Asian twist (add snow peas) is as easy as tweaking the dressing. Even a bottled Asian dressing will work in a pinch.
Expert Tips
- You can make this creamy coleslaw recipe with a couple of packages of coleslaw mix from the grocery store or shred your own cabbage. I like adding some shredded carrots and/or purple cabbage to the mixture to provide some color.
- Combining buttermilk and mayonnaise makes for a lovely, creamy coleslaw dressing. PRO-Tip: If you don’t have any buttermilk on hand, you can make your own. Place one tablespoon of either vinegar or lemon juice into a one-cup liquid measuring cup. Fill to the one-cup mark with milk and let rest for a minute or two. The mixture will curdle slightly and work well as a buttermilk substitution. Use what you need for the recipe, then refrigerate the leftovers.
- PRO-Tip: If you’re not a fan of raw onions, soak them in ice water for about 15 minutes. Drain, or with grated onions, squeeze dry in a paper towel, then add to the recipe. This process removes a bit of the sharpness, but still adds the flavor needed for a classic coleslaw recipe.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Celery seed adds another lovely flavor component, though this is my addition, not in KFC’s coleslaw recipe. I recommend adding it.
How to Make
- Shred your vegetables and measure out the seasonings and dressing ingredients.
- Whisk together the coleslaw dressing.
- Toss the dressing with the shredded vegetables to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cover the salad with plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour before serving. Toss again and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of us have heard of coleslaw or slaw recipes, but have you ever thought where the name came from? It actually has a Roman origin, as the ancient Romans served a dish with vinegar, cabbage, and eggs.
But the name comes from the Dutch who settled near the Hudson River in New York state according to NPR. The Dutch word koosla translates to cabbage salad and sounds very much like today’s dish, coleslaw (sometimes spelled cole slaw). Since mayonnaise hadn’t been invented in the late 1700s, the dressing was made of melted butter, oil, and vinegar.
There are health benefits to coleslaw. There is plenty of fiber in the cabbage, plus vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. Either a mayonnaise or vinegar-based salad dressing will add fat and calories.
“Cole” refers to cabbage, so coleslaw must contain cabbage. Other slaws may be made with any shredded vegetables.
You May Also Like:
- Creamy Apple Slaw from Spend with Pennies
- Spicy Mexican Slaw with Lime and Cilantro from Kalyn’s Kitchen
- Spicy Mango Slaw from Foodie with Family
- Serve this coleslaw over a Pulled Pork Sandwich
- Asian Cabbage Slaw
- Easy Coleslaw Recipe
- Asian Coleslaw
- More Salad Recipes
Classic Coleslaw Recipe
Classic Buttermilk Coleslaw that tastes like the KFC version!
Ingredients
- 8 cups finely chopped cabbage, about one head (may use bagged coleslaw mix, too)
- ¼ cup shredded carrot (1 medium carrot)
- 2 tablespoons grated or minced onion
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon celery seed, optional, but I highly recommend it!
Instructions
- Shred carrots and cabbage to the size of your choice (KFC's version is finely shredded). Alternatively, you can buy a bag or two of the coleslaw veggies ready to go.
- Combine the sugar, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, and celery seed in a large bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Add the cabbage, carrots, and onion, and mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Recipe courtesy of my friend, Mile High Baker.
Use a bag or two of coleslaw mix instead of shredding your own cabbage and carrot for a shortcut.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 169Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 249mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 3gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g
39 Comments on “KFC Coleslaw Recipe with Buttermilk Dressing”
Love this healthy salad, especially made with buttermilk!
This might be weird, but I really like slaw. I would like to always have some of this in my fridge! Especially with some celery seed added.
I don’t know how the magic in the universe works, but I happen to have a bowlful of shredded cabbage in the fridge, and was just thinking that I should make a slaw.
I used the celery seed option and it was delicious. Since my grocery store does not carry liquid buttermilk, I used powdered (Saco brand), with no problem. I used sixteen ounces of bagged shredded coleslaw mix for the eight cups indicated in the recipe and it was very good, though I could probably have added another 8 oz bag without problem.
SO glad you enjoyed! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know!!!
We are craving a delicious bowl of coleslaw. This is a perfect side dish for all of our summer grilling and chilling.
I’ve only been to KFC once in my life, and that was during one of our moves. I guess I wasn’t impressed. Actually I’m just not into fast food. I don’t even think about it. there have been a couple times when I was going to force myself to go to some kind of fast food place and I could never follow through! When raising my kids I pretty much made every single meal. Life would have been easier with fast food but I coulcn’t bring myself to do it. And I wasn’t raised on it. In any case, I don’t remember if we had KFC cole slaw, but this looks good. I’ve made it with vinegar and sour cream before, but not buttermilk. I think that makes a lot of sense. Can’t wait to try it. It would be great on fish tacos!
We’re doing take out fish and chips tonight and although it comes with a tiny dish of coleslaw, I make my own! Wish I had seen this before I cobbled my slaw together but I’ll bookmark this for next time.
While I’m not sure about KFC recipes (I haven’t been there for many years!), but this coleslaw variation looks and sounds delicious. I am digging the buttermilk dressing (It must give an extra lovely tang) and even the celery seeds.
I am always wanting to try to make slaw myself and this is perfect timing trying to prepare for both sons birthdays social distancing of course! We always celebrate on fathers day so this will be served for all 3 occasions thanks Liz! Sure hope you are all doing well much love sent !
This coleslaw was a total hit! This recipe will now be my go-to!
I love this recipe! I enjoy this more and more every time I make it! Thanks.
I love the dressing! Perfect for all summer grilling!
I’ve only just recently started eating coleslaw so I’m testing out lots of different recipes and combos to get just the right flavors. Thanks for a winner!
I absolutely adore coleslaw AND buttermilk dressing but I don’t believe I’ve ever had them together. I can’t wait to try this!
During one of my shortcuts over the holidays I bought some ready made coleslaw. I read labels on everything and I’m pretty sure that will be the last time I buy coleslaw. Apologies to my family and thank you for this recipe!
Funny, when I saw the pic, I thought of the KFC coleslaw, before I read your post…hahaha! Cool.