Buttermilk Coleslaw aka “Almost KFC Slaw”

Coleslaw or plain ‘slaw’ as some prefer to call it comes from a Dutch word meaning cabbage salad. While, in the U.S., traditional coleslaw is a combination of shredded cabbage and a mayonnaise-based dressing, slaw can contain any number of ingredients.

If you enjoy testing new flavor blends, you might try adding apples, peppers, almonds or pecans to this recipe. In addition, you may want to substitute yogurt for the mayonnaise.

This recipe is as close as I’ve been able to get to my favorite coleslaw, made by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). It has a sweet and tangy flavor that just screams to be eaten with fried chicken or a spicy BBQ sandwich.

buttermilk-coleslaw

Note: If you use red cabbage, expect that it will naturally dye your coleslaw a light shade of pink. This does not change the flavor!

If you prefer not to have pink slaw, either rinse and dry your cabbage after shredding, start with pre-shredded slaw mix purchased from a store (these have been rinsed and are slightly dry) or skip using the red cabbage.

Variations:

Again, you can mix and match ingredients to find new variations that your family will love. Here are a few to get you started…

Add a ¼ cup of any of the following:
• Green peppers
• Raisins
• Apples
• Almonds, pecans or peanuts
• Celery
• Pimentos
• Toasted sesame seeds or shelled sunflower seeds
• Pineapple
• Shredded cheese

Add a 1/8 tsp. of any of the following:
• Onion powder
• Dry mustard
• Celery seed
• Dill weed
• Parsley

Other Variation Ideas:

  • Substitute half-and-half or cream for regular milk
  • Use a whole onion and/or substitute a red onion for the white one
  • Add some zing with a splash of Tabasco sauce and cilantro
  • Substitute lime juice for the lemon
  • Substitute broccoli for cabbage
  • Substitute yogurt for mayonnaise

Another yummy idea… Use coleslaw instead of sauerkraut on a Reuben sandwich, hamburger or hot dog.

66 thoughts on “Buttermilk Coleslaw aka “Almost KFC Slaw””
  1. Oh Yum! I will have to make this recipe! Thanks for sharing it is a change up from what I usually make!

  2. I really enjoy cole slaw and would like to try this. The buttermilk would make it so good!

  3. My mom loves the coleslaw at KFC. She goes there just for that. I would love to show her you recipe. She would be so excited to try it. Thank you!!

  4. This sounds delicious! I’m a fan of cole slaw but no one else in my family likes it.

  5. Oh, yum this looks really delicious. if it is anything like the kfc then I’m in! I am a big foodie. Who also happens to like to bake.

    Diana C

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