The best southern coleslaw tastes just like the one you get at KFC. Actually - it might be better and it only takes a few minutes to make!
THE BEST SOUTHERN COLESLAW
I think coleslaw is one of those foods that you either love or hate, in my humble opinion. Most folks who love it expect to eat it at every BBQ or picnic and on top of CROCK POT PULLED PORK SANDWICHES (that would be me) or my INSTANT POT PULLED PORK BBQ. Then there are the slaw-haters. Mainly, it's because they don't like cabbage, at all (that would be my husband.) 
DOES THIS TASTE LIKE THE COLESLAW AT KFC?
Why yes, yes it does! That's exactly how I describe it to folks. If you love their cole slaw then you'll love this version. You can chop the cabbage up real fine if you prefer (like KFC) or just leave it like it is straight outta the bag. It's just a matter of texture.
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THIS SERVE?
This is a recipe for a small crowd (at least 8-10 people.) If you don’t need as much, just cut the recipe in half. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, regular white vinegar works fine too. Got some heads of cabbage to use? No problem. Just dice up a head or two of cabbage (about 8 cups) and shred about 2-3 carrots to substitute.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
coleslaw mix
sugar
milk
mayonnaise
buttermilk
Dijon mustard
apple cider vinegar
lemon juice
freshly grated onion (or onion powder)
salt
freshly ground black pepper
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST COLESLAW:
In a large bowl, dump in both bags of coleslaw mix. Note: I tend to like my slaw more finely chopped so I'll run the cole slaw mix in my food processor (using the pulse setting two or three times.)
In a smaller bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined.
Pour mixture over coleslaw mix.
Stir coleslaw to combine. Put cover on bowl and put in the refrigerator to set for at least an hour. This is going to allow the coleslaw mixture to soften just slightly and allow the flavors to blend (if you have the time.)
CRAVING MORE? GIVE THESE RECIPES A TRY!
ASIAN RAMEN SALAD
THE BEST BROCCOLI SALAD
MOM'S VINEGAR CUCUMBER SALAD
THE BEST SOUTHERN PIMIENTO CHEESE
THE BEST GRILLED PORK RIBS
CREAMY CUCUMBER SALAD
BEST EVER POTATO SALAD
SOUTHERN AMBROSIA FRUIT SALAD
THE BEST MACARONI SALAD
BLT MACARONI SALAD
THE BEST SOUTHERN COLESLAW
The best southern coleslaw tastes just like the one you get at KFC. Actually - it might be better and it only takes a few minutes to make!
Print
Pin
Rate
Servings: 10
Calories: 131kcal
Ingredients
- 2 (14 oz) bags coleslaw mix
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard or yellow
- 1 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp onion powder (or 2 tbsp. freshly grated onion)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dump in both bags of coleslaw mix.
- In a smaller bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients.
- Whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined.
- Pour mixture over coleslaw mix.
- Stir coleslaw to combine.
- If possible, allow mixture to sit for about an hour before serving.
- Stir again before serving.
Video
Notes
Got some heads of cabbage to use? No problem. Just dice up a head or two of cabbage (about 8 cups) and shred about 2-3 carrots to substitute.
Nutrition
Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 29.9mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Nutritional Disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!
Originally published: August 2011
Updated & republished: July 2019
My husband and I are fully united in our love of coleslaw! 😀
I love me some Coleslaw! This looks so good Bran!
This looks sooo good....my husband would disagree 🙁 Although, I have trained him (maybe forced) to like some things he swore would never pass his lips (rice aka "maggots", sweet tea on occasion, & onions in everything) I don't think I could fool him into eating cole slaw though....
Great looking recipe--I love coleslaw!! I also love North and South! When my husband and I were engaged, I remember watching the entire series (on video) in just one weekend! Yup, we were total couch potatoes that weekend and it was wonderful...:)
Yes maam pass that right along! I didn't start liking coleslaw until I was in my 20s, but I sure do love it now. I have no idea why I didn't like it before...just makes no sense haha
Looks yummy! So yummy that I buzzed ya! 😉
Gotta love those summer salads!
This recipe tastes exactly like my Grandma's old recipe. Thank you!!!
I love coleslaw... looks delicious!
The country coleslaw looks so tempting and I loved your description on the same. Very good recipe!!
Ahh Patrick..I have no idea how many times I watched "dirty dancing":))
Your Slaw sound incredibly tasty!!
Have a awesome Friday!!!
We are also a house divided. My husband is a fan of coleslaw, and I don't like it. I am not a big fan of cabbage, and I strongly dislike Mayo. But hubby would LOVE this!!
That's almost how my mama taught me, but I've never heard of putting in the buttermilk, and my mama also puts in celery seed. I'll have to give your version a try.
It's just my opinion, but anyone who doesn't like grits, cole slaw & corn bread doesn't deserve status as a Southerner. Again, just my $.02 worth. 😉
I agree with you...it ain't southern if you don't like grits cole slaw and cornbread
Amen!
Thank you so much for all your comments! Beth, I hope you like it! If you chop it up fine, I think it tastes kinda like KFC cole slaw!
Mmmm.... I've been craving cole slaw like crazy lately! I will have to give this a try next time I make BBQ!
Hooray for your Top 9 this morning! This looks like the perfect cole slaw!!! xo
love it! your story leading into it might have been the best part but I do believe it is the ingredients for the slaw that will take the blue ribbon...nice job!
I love cole slaw.
Brandy! Congrats on making Top 9 at Foodbuzz!! WOOOHHOOOO!! Darling post..you're always makin' me smile Missy! I make my cole slaw pretty much like this too. MM!
Mmm I love me some coleslaw. My husband is not a fan though so I don't typically make it at home. I sure would love a heaping helping of this one!
Congrats on the Top 9 ! (I'm way behind reading blogs, since I got back.) Your cole slaw looks so good. I love Patrick Swayze is on of my favorite movies. Back to the cole slaw, I'll ahve to try your dressing!
Have a great Tuesday!
Congrats on the top 9 for this! And it looks quite yummy.
We love coleslaw. Actually, I love it; the husband doesn't mind it. But since I love it I hardly make it - I'd eat it all! This looks great!
Love the look of this cole slaw. Thanks for the tip about chopping it up small. Husband and I are both from Iowa. I like KFC cole slaw and I think he likes most slaws. I hate celery seed though so thanks for leaving it out of this recipe!
We are having house guests this weekend and I am going to make this along with pulled pork and apple pie for dessert. So excited!
I hope you like it Annie!!