A must have picnic side dish, this is the best Coleslaw recipe and is ready in minutes with just a handful of ingredients. Better than your grandma used to make, this one will be a permanent fixture all summer long.

Coleslaw in a red bowl with bbq chicken in the background.


Homemade Coleslaw

I have a little confession to make….I, actually, share them pretty often here because it’s like my safe space. But this one, I know some people will judge a bit but that’s cool because I love KFC.

That’s right, I’m a big fan of Kentucky Fried Chicken and all it’s glorious sides. Especially…..the KFC Coleslaw. It’s simple and perfect and not overly mayonnaise-y, which a lot of coleslaw tends to be.

And it’s absolutely perfect alongside a pile of fried chicken. I really love when a bit of the coleslaw dressing seeps into the crunchy crust of the chicken, a little sweet/savory action right there.

Coleslaw in a red bowl on a blue and white napkin.

What is Coleslaw?

This easy recipe is a classic coleslaw….the very same you’ll find in your southern nana’s kitchen or at the KFC drive-thru. (You can email me all the hate mail you want but I said what I said.)

Finely minced cabbage with a speckle of chopped carrots and the all important celery seed. You dig?

I created this recipe that’s totally inspired by the one I love at KFC. And frankly, I think this recipe is even better than their version. I added a bit of greek yogurt to the dressing to lighten it up a bit without losing the flavor one bit. You still get the classic creamy coleslaw without the extra fat and calories. 

Ingredients

  • Cabbage – Finely chopped green cabbage is the base for this slaw recipe. If you want more color, red cabbage and green cabbage together make a gorgeous and tasty combination.
  • Carrot – Finely chopped carrots are easy to achieve if you buy precut matchstick carrots then chop them up a bit more. If you can’t find them at the store, you can shred your carrots on a box grater.
  • Mayonnaise – Regular mayonnaise is the base of the coleslaw dressing. This is one time you don’t want to buy the low fat.
  • Greek Yogurt – We love the tanginess of greek yogurt but it can be substituted with sour cream if you prefer.
  • Vinegar – For a hint of sweetness, we use apple cider vinegar but you can use your favorite vinegar if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Celery Seed – Celery Seeds add that signature coleslaw flavor. Don’t skip them or you’ll be missing the essence of the slaw.
  • Honey – Honey adds a hint of sweetness to the dressing. You can substitute with white sugar or sugar substitute.
small white condiment dish filled with coleslaw in a tin with corn and chicken

How to Make Coleslaw

Pre-shredded cabbage is one of the basic ingredients for this Cole slaw recipe with a little shredded carrot throw in for color and a little extra crunch. The coleslaw dressing recipe is a perfect blend of mayonnaise, greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and, the coleslaw must have, celery seed.

Don’t skip the celery seeds…it totally makes the dish! 

  1. Toss the cabbage and carrot in a bowl to combine. Set aside.
  2. Whisk together the remaining ingredients to make the coleslaw dressing.
  3. Pour the coleslaw dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine.
  4. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, if making in advance.

And the best part….this easy Coleslaw recipe is BETTER THAN THE KFC Coleslaw recipe or any other store-bought coleslaw you normally serve.

If you prefer to make this even better, you can use freshly shredded cabbage by chopping the cabbage into large chunks and shredding it on a box grater or using a food processor.

Coleslaw in a red bowl on a blue and white striped napkin with chicken in the background.

Storage

This healthy coleslaw recipe will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days if stored properly.

Be sure to transfer your coleslaw to an airtight container before placing in the refrigerator.

Because bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature, coleslaw should not sit out for longer than 2 hours. Discard any slaw that has been sitting out longer than that time frame to ensure you are serving safe food.

Serving Suggestions

This Southern Coleslaw recipe is perfect alongside your favorite burger or barbecue chicken.  It’s the perfect addition for every cookout and the perfect coleslaw for pulled pork!

Looking for even more fresh Summer Side Dish ideas? Try these!

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Get the Recipe: Homemade Coleslaw Recipe

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Better than KFC…this classic Coleslaw recipe is a staple at every barbecue!
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups finely chopped green cabbage
  • 1 cup finely diced carrot
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup low fat greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 tsp sugar, or honey
  • kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage and carrot to combine. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, vinegar, celery seed and sugar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Pour the dressing over the cabbage and stir to coat.
  • Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Coleslaw can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Calories: 170kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 158mg, Potassium: 85mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 2175IU, Vitamin C: 8.4mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American