This copycat recipe reveals the “secret ingredient” that gives KFC’s coleslaw its signature tangy flavor. Use it to make a large batch of the famous side dish at home – perfect for barbecues and potlucks.
Is your favorite version of a dish from a fast food place? And no other way you have it prepared could ever compare?
That’s how I feel about KFC’s coleslaw – it’s the holy grail. We truly reached peak coleslaw as a society when it was created.
I have found many different copycat recipes online, but they don’t taste quite right. That’s because they don’t include the secret ingredient – tarragon vinegar.
I’ll show you how to make your own tarragon vinegar, or you can use store-bought to keep it simple. Other than that, you only need a few other common ingredients, a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a large bowl to get started.
Ingredients
- Cabbage – KFC uses green cabbage only in their coleslaw, no red cabbage.
- Carrots – Save time by buying shredded carrot in a bag, or peel and chop whole carrots to achieve the same texture as KFC.
- Onion – I recommend using a white onion.
- Miracle Whip – I don’t recommend substituting this.
- Tarragon Vinegar – See my instructions in the tips section to make your own homemade version, or use store-bought tarragon vinegar.
- Celery Salt – This is a combination of ground celery seed and salt. It’s a very common coleslaw seasoning.
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Tips
- Make your own tarragon vinegar. Take 1.5 cups of white vinegar and bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute. Pour into a jar that has 4 sprigs of fresh tarragon. Seal with a lid & store in a dark, cool place for 2 weeks.
- Want a shortcut? Use a bagged coleslaw mix instead of chopping the vegetables yourself. This cuts the prep time by more than half!
What to serve it with
Want to recreate more of your fast food favorites at home? Try my recipe for Raising Cane’s Bread or make a copycat Crunchwrap supreme. You can even make discontinued products, like the beloved Subway sweet onion sauce.
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Copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup Miracle Whip
- 1/4 Cup Sugar
- 1.5 Tablespoons Tarragon Vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon Celery Salt
- 1 Head Green Cabbage, chopped
- 1 Carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup White Onion, finely chopped
Instructions
- Mix Miracle Whip, sugar, tarragon vinegar, celery salt, and salt together in a small bowl.
- Place chopped cabbage, carrots, and onions in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the top. Gently toss together.
- Marinate for at least 2 hours before serving. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.
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