Homemade KFC-Style Coleslaw
Perfectly Recreate KFC Coleslaw! A Crispy, Tangy, and Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
Nowadays, we tend to avoid fast food for health reasons, but sometimes, the craving for KFC’s signature tangy and sweet coleslaw hits hard! I’ve always wondered about the secret ingredient that gives it that unique umami, but prioritizing health, I’ve crafted a recipe that aims for a similar taste using minimal ingredients. You’ll be surprised how delicious it is without any additives!
Main Ingredients- 120g Cabbage
- 40g Onion
- 1g Salt
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
Dressing Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Horseradish
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Horseradish
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the stars of our coleslaw: the cabbage and onion. Finely chop the cabbage and onion into pieces about 5-7mm in size. If you prefer a softer texture, you can chop them even smaller. If you’re sensitive to the sharp taste of raw onion, you can soak the chopped onion in cold water for about 5 minutes and then drain it to reduce its pungency. However, the sharpness naturally mellows out after the coleslaw sits in the refrigerator for half a day, so soaking isn’t strictly necessary.
Step 2
In a generously sized bowl, combine the chopped cabbage and onion. Add ¼ tsp (about 1g) of salt and ½ tsp of sugar. Mix well and let it sit to pickle for about 30 minutes. You can either discard the liquid released during this time or mix it back into the dressing later – both methods work well.
Step 3
Now, let’s whip up the delicious dressing. To the drained vegetables, add 1 Tbsp of mayonnaise and 1 tsp of horseradish. Gently mix these ingredients together. The horseradish adds a distinct flavor that closely mimics the unique taste of KFC’s coleslaw.
Step 4
Finally, add 1 tsp (5ml) of lemon juice for a touch of refreshing zest. Once everything is well combined, your basic coleslaw is ready! Taste it and adjust the amount of dressing ingredients to your preference. Feel free to add a little more sugar for sweetness or lemon juice for extra tanginess.
Step 5
I chopped the vegetables to about 7mm for a side dish, which resulted in a visual more akin to a salad than the typical coleslaw we often see. But the taste is truly wonderful! If you refrigerate it overnight, the sharpness of the onion will soften, and all the flavors will meld beautifully, making it even more delicious. It’s definitely worth letting it rest for a day before enjoying!
