🛒 What You’ll Need: Pantry Staples, Maximum Joy
Grab these cozy ingredients—you probably already have most:
For the Slaw:
4 cups coleslaw mix (shredded green cabbage + carrots)
¼ cup finely chopped white or yellow onion (or shallot for milder flavor)
For the Signature Dressing:
½ cup (120g) mayonnaise (full-fat = best texture)
2 tbsp buttermilk (adds tang + creaminess)
1 tbsp whole milk (balances thickness)
3 tbsp granulated sugar (KFC’s slaw is sweeter than you think!)
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
That’s it.
No mustard.
No celery seed.
Just real food, chilled into brilliance.
💡 Pro tip: Chill your bowl and whisk first—keeps the slaw crisp and refreshing!
🔥 How to Make It: Step-by-Step, Crunch-by-Crunch
Let’s cook this like we’re making edible confetti—one golden forkful at a time.
Step 1: Prep the Veggies
In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix and chopped onion.
Optional: Sprinkle with ½ tsp salt and let sit 10 mins—draws out moisture for better dressing absorption.
Pat dry with paper towels if very wet.
👉 Dry = crisp. Wet = soggy.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl:
Whisk together mayo, buttermilk, milk, sugar, white vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Taste and adjust:
More sweet? Add ½ tsp sugar.
More tang? Add a splash more vinegar.
👉 The dressing should be creamy, balanced, and slightly sweet.
Step 3: Toss & Chill
Pour dressing over cabbage mixture.
Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
👉 Don’t overmix—it bruises the cabbage.
Step 4: Rest & Serve
Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour, preferably 2–4 hours.
✅ Why this matters:
Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften just enough while staying crunchy.
Serve cold—with fried chicken, burgers, pulled pork, or all by itself.
Bonus: Leftovers keep beautifully for 3–4 days in the fridge (if they last that long!).
💡 Pro Tips for Next-Level Success
Tip
Why It Works
✅ Use full-fat mayo
Low-fat separates and waters down flavor
✅ Don’t skip chilling
Warm slaw = bland slaw
✅ Make ahead: Assemble 1–2 days ahead—flavors deepen overnight
✅ Too sweet? Reduce sugar to 2 tbsp for a tamer version
✅ Add-ins: Try a pinch of celery seed or paprika for extra depth
🍽️ When to Serve These Golden Gems
🍗 Fried chicken night (duh!)
🍔 Backyard BBQs and picnics
🎉 Church potlucks and family reunions
🫶 To someone who says, “I don’t eat coleslaw” —watch them ask for seconds
Because once they taste that creamy-sweet, tangy-crunch magic?
They’ll be converted.
❤️ Final Thought: Great Food Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
You don’t need 17 ingredients or a culinary degree to make something magical.
Sometimes, all it takes is:
A bag of cabbage
A jar of mayo
And the courage to say: “Today, I’m making joy.”
And when your partner says, “Did you get this from KFC?”
Or your kid hugs you after the first bite…
You’ll know:
You didn’t just make slaw.
You made love.
