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:
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 SOUTHERN 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.)
Enjoy!
Originally published: August 2011
Updated & republished: July 2019
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 RateServings: 10
Calories: 131kcal
Ingredients
- 2 (14 oz) bags coleslaw mix
- 1/3 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
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My husband and I are fully united in our love of coleslaw! 😀
I love me some Coleslaw! This looks so good Bran!
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!
I love coleslaw… looks delicious!
The country coleslaw looks so tempting and I loved your description on the same. Very good recipe!!
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….
Ahh Patrick..I have no idea how many times I watched "dirty dancing":))
Your Slaw sound incredibly tasty!!
Have a awesome Friday!!!
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…:)
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!
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!
Congrats on the top 9 for this! And it looks quite yummy.
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!!
So, so good!! Love this one!! Tastes JUST like KFC!
North and South here too…he is from Ohio (just like my Dad), I am from FL (just like my Mom…and she did try to warn me…lol). Anyway, I LOVE coleslaw…he loves cabbage ANY OTHER way but in coleslaw…can't wait to try your recipe!
Love your recipes. When making coleslaw from a bag mix. Run the slaw through the chop part of your food processor to get a fresh cut taste to your slaw. Then if you sprinkle a tsp of sugar over the cut cabbage, before adding the sauce, it will help cut the bitter taste.
Coleslaw is also great on hot dogs ~ my mom's from WV and taught me that ;)!
Thanks for sharing! Love your blog!
Ok, you won me over for 3 reasons ..#1-Cole Slaw..I love a great cole slaw.You cannot without a doubt get a good one out of any deli case at a grocery store. I make mine and slather it on my grilled hot dogs..#2- North and South, I feel in love with both Patrick Swayze and James Read, Orrie and George!! I bought it on Dvd at Walmart. #3-JFG mayonnaise…JFG was a staple at my grandpa's in Tennessee. I live in Ohio and too this day when I go down there I stock up on JFG for my dad and thinking of my amazing grandpa..Thanks for that..
I would add some celery seed too! Maybe a couple of teaspoons?
Omygosh delish! This recipe is a keeper. I have tried alot of coleslaw dressing through the years but I am definitely in love. Keeper for the rest of my life.
Thank you so much for this greaaaaaaaaaaat tasting slaw.
Kindly, Peggy
This is the way I make mine, except I add a little of my homemade sweet pickles. Just ran across your blog can't wait to look at all your recipes. There is nothing better than southern cooks. Glad I found you.
Well Sherrie, I am so glad you found me! Hope you find many new recipes to try and make sure you come back often. I am always cooking up something good in my kitchen.
Made this last night, it was so good, best cole slaw I ever had, thank you for sharing such a great tasting recipe!
So glad it was a winner for you! So glad you came back to let me know how it turned out for you. Hope you find a few more recipes to try. Have a great weekend!
So good. An absolute keeper!
I made this the day before I needed it. The cabbage became soft (which we all loved!) The flavor was incredible. Better than KFC!
I made this today for our 4th of July lunch. It was the BEST cole slaw I've ever eaten. My husband is not a fan and he ate three helpings!!! We don't have milk or buttermilk so I just used Almond milk and it came out perfect! This will be in our regular rotation now. Thanks for another excellent recipe.
Thank you so much for this recipe. It was a total hit!!
Love reading your recipes and all the comments that follow. I, too, am a slaw lover. Like mine sweeter rather than vinegary.
Hi! Quick question for you 🙂 When you say “2 bags (14 oz) of coleslaw mix, are you saying that you need a TOTAL of 14 oz of mix, or that you need two 14-oz bags of coleslaw mix (for total of 24 oz)? Thanks in advance! 🙂
You need TWO 14 oz. bags for a total of 28 oz. 🙂
I made this today as I was looking for something to go with a pork loin I had as leftovers. The great thing about it was I had everything, except the cole slaw mix. I only needed to use 1 bag of slaw as its just me to feed. I used the whole amount of "dressing" and added about a teaspoon of celery seed. Its marinating in the fridge but cant wait to eat it on my Sweet Baby Ray BBQ pork sandwich…
I made this on Saturday for a church potluck yesterday and it was THE ONE i’ve been looking for. I think what really nailed it was your suggestion to let it sit for a while. Seems that softens it a bit and all the flavors come together. I’ve never gotten a compliment on coleslaw from my husband, so it was a big deal that he complimented this one. 🙂 BTW I did try cutting back on the sugar…don’t do that. This recipe doesn’t need any fixin’. Thanks for sharing it.
Everyone now asks me to make this recipe every year. If I don’t make this slaw – they get so upset. Thank you for making me the star of the BBQ. Ha! 🙂
Woo hoo!! Love hearing that Linda!
You can also put sections of cabbage in the blender with a lot of water, then pulse it until finely chopped.
This recipe tastes exactly like my Grandma’s old recipe. Thank you!!!
Made this twice, first time I accidentally used honey mustard instead of Dijon, both were the best ever and I’m a country boy and have had a lot of coleslaw!!????????????????????
I have tried a lot of Cole slaw recipes and I will tell you this is best. I make this Every time I smoke a Boston butt or do ribs.