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.


Southern 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.

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 creamy coleslaw recipe that’s totally inspired by the one I love at KFC. And frankly, I think this Southern Coleslaw 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. 

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

How to Make Coleslaw

Perfectly shredded cabbage is the base for this Cole slaw recipe with a little chopped 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 it…it totally makes the dish!Ā 

  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 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!

small white condiment dish filled with coleslaw in a tin with corn and chicken

How long does fresh Coleslaw last?

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.

How long can Coleslaw last at room temperature?

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

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

What to Serve with Coleslaw

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

Super easy to make, this is the Very Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe. Perfect crock pot cooking every time. | TheSuburbanSoapbox.com

We also like it alongside these reader favorites:

Barbecue Chicken thighs on a baking sheet.

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

Chopped Greek Pasta Salad with a bowl of kalamata olives on a blue background from TheSuburbanSoapbox.com

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Get the Recipe: Homemade Cole Slaw Recipe

Better than KFC…this classic Cole slaw recipe is a staple at every barbecue!
5 from 1 vote

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

  • 1 mixing bowl

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

https://youtu.be/YQrDLwRdk1w

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