This Easy Southern Coleslaw Recipe has the best sweet and tangy flavor. It’s served creamy and chilled. Perfect for loading onto pulled pork sandwiches or served as a side dish for any BBQ or cookout spread.
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What’s the Difference Between Southern and Northern Coleslaw?
The debate on how to serve coleslaw is one that exists regardless of geographical region. I have noticed there are two ways to prepare the dish: sweet and tangy or just tangy.
This recipe is served with both sweet and tangy flavor. Other coleslaw variations are made with a vinegar dressing and are only tangy.
Ingredients You Will Need
See measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Coleslaw Mix
- Red Cabbage (Optional)
- Onions
- Mayo
- Mustard
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Celery Salt
- Sugar or Sweetener
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Southern Coleslaw
Get the exact measurements used in the recipe card below at the bottom of the post.
- Add mayo, finely chopped onion, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, celery salt, salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add the coleslaw mix and red cabbage to a large serving bowl. Drizzle the mayo mixture throughout. Stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate.
How to Make it With No Mayo and Substitute
You can substitute mayo for sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
How to Make it Taste Like KFC
To get this coleslaw just like the KFC side, you will need to finely chop the coleslaw mix. Theirs is served with small bits of cabbage and veggies. You will also need to add more mayo and sweetener or sugar. Their recipe is really creamy and sweet.
Can You Make it Ahead
Although youcansafelymake coleslawthree to four daysaheadof serving it, you may not be happy with the quality.Coleslaw shouldbemade aheadand refrigerated to meld the flavors, but if youmakeit more than 24 hoursahead, it becomes watery and limp. Get more tips on How Far in Advance You Can Make Coleslaw here.
How to Store It/How Long it Will Last in the Fridge
Store the coleslaw tightly sealed. It will last 3-4 days, but the longer it’s stored the watery it becomes.
Recipe Tips
- Decide how you prefer your coleslaw. Some prefer a really creamy coleslaw. If you like the KFC coleslaw, you may prefer yours to be really creamy. If so, add additional mayo as needed.
- If you prefer yours to be somewhat dry, start with 1/4 cup of mayo and adjust as needed.
- If you like sweet coleslaw, adjust and add more sugar or sweetener.
- If you prefer a very vinegar-based slaw, add more vinegar and start with a teaspoon of sugar/sweetener and adjust as necessary.
Pair This Dish with These Main Dishes (Seafood and Chicken)
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Pair This Dish with These Main Dishes (Burgers and Pork)
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Traeger Smoked Ribs (3-2-1 Method)
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Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
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More Southern Side Dishes
Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Smoked Mac and Cheese
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Southern Mustard GreensSouthern Homemade Cornbread
Southern Baked Beans
Easy Spaghetti Salad
Southern Macaroni Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Check out a listing of all Southern Soul Food Recipes and the Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes here.
If you want to make this without mayo, check out our Vinegar Coleslaw recipe.
Print Pin
5 from 10 votes
Creamy Southern Coleslaw Recipe
This Easy Southern Coleslaw Recipe has the best sweet and tangy flavor. It's served creamy and chilled. Perfect for loading onto pulled pork sandwiches or served as a side dish for any BBQ spread.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Southern
Keyword best coleslaw recipe, southern coleslaw recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
chill 1 hour hour
Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 133kcal
Author Brandi Crawford
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage Optional. I love to add it for color.
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar I suggest you start with 1 tablespoon. Taste repeatedly and adjust as necessary.
- 1 teaspoon mustard I use Dijon.
- 2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener I suggest you start with 1 tablespoon. Taste repeatedly and adjust as necessary.
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Add the mayo, finely chopped onion, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, celery salt, salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
Add the coleslaw mix and red cabbage to a large serving bowl. Drizzle the mayo mixture throughout. Stir to combine.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to serve chilled.
Video
Notes
- You can double or triple the recipe by doubling the ingredients, etc.
- Coleslaw mix is essentially shredded cabbage and carrots. You can make your own mix if you wish.
- I like for my coleslaw to have a taste of both vinegar and sweetness. To make the perfect slaw, modify ingredients to fit your taste.
- Decide how you prefer your coleslaw. Some prefer a really creamy coleslaw. If you like the KFC coleslaw, you may prefer yours to be really creamy. If so, add additional mayo as needed.
- If you prefer yours to be somewhat dry, start with 1/4 cup of mayo and adjust as needed.
- If you like sweet coleslaw, adjust and add more sweetener.
- If you prefer a very vinegar-based slaw, add more vinegar and start with a teaspoon of sweetener and adjust as necessary.
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.