Easy Copycat Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw Recipe (Authentic)

This is an easy copycat Chick-Fil-A coleslaw recipe that is the authentic real thing, simply because it came straight from the source. If you are missing the original recipe for Chick-Fil-A coleslaw, then you’ve come to the right place.

Classic Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw

Coleslaw in a clear glass bowl

It’s not only one of the original menu items, it is absolutely delicious, and it’s a great dish to make.

The World’s Best Coleslaw

Much to the chagrin of folks around the country, Chick-Fil-A discontinued their coleslaw several years ago because they wanted to change a few things on the menu and offer more variety, and everyone was up in arms over losing the great side dish. However, as usual, Chick-Fil-A worked hard to make everyone happy in the transition.

The good news is that they shared the recipe with us because it really is the best coleslaw recipe out there. Who wants to go without their favorite easy side dish? And, if this is your first time eating the famous side item, you might have a new favorite after giving this a try.

Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw in a red bowl

Copycat Coleslaw Ingredients

Although the recipe doesn’t call for too many ingredients, it does include your typical coleslaw additions, including vinegar, dry mustard, and, of course, a little bit of sugar to give it a sweet flavor.

What do I need to make the Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw?

  • White sugar
  • white vinegar
  • Dry mustard
  • Salt
  • Mayonnaise
  • Shredded cabbage
  • Shredded carrots

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card. Nutritional information is below.

Crack coleslaw in a red bowl

How Do I Make The Cole Slaw Recipe?

  1. Add the sugar, white vinegar, salt, dry mustard, and mayonnaise to a large bowl and mix well.
  2. Next, add the finely chopped cabbage and carrots and stir until covered with the liquid cole slaw mix.
  3. Refrigerate for at least two hours.
  4. When you take it out of the refrigerator, stir it a few times and serve.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Sugar being poured into a glass bowl for coleslaw

Pour the sugar into a large mixing bowl. You’re going to need a large bowl because 20 ounces of cabbage is quite a bit. The sugar adds just a small touch of sweetness to the recipes. If you don’t want as much classic coleslaw, you can cut the recipe in half.

Pouring white vinegar into a glass bowl with sugar

Add the white vinegar to the bowl with the sugar.

Can I substitute white vinegar for apple cider vinegar in a recipe?

Yes, if you want to add something a little different, you can add apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar. The apple cider vinegar will be a tad fruitier. You will use the same amount of apple cider vinegar as you would white vinegar.

Salt and dry mustard in a small glass bowl for coleslaw

Next, add the dry mustard and salt to the bowl. The mustard and salt are really going to help bring out the flavors in the coleslaw.

Mayonnaise in a glass bowl with sugar and vinegar for coleslaw

Pour the mayonnaise into the bowl and stir everything until it is fully combined, making sure the sugar pretty much dissolves.

Shredded cabbage for coleslaw in a glass bowl

Now, add the shredded cabbage to the bowl. The recipe calls for 20-ounces, so I bought two bags and added them together, and I had some extra, so tune in below and I’ll tell you how you can use it.

Shredding the Cabbage

I bought pre-cut bagged coleslaw mix because it just makes life easier to have it, and it tastes just as great. You can buy the precut angel hair coleslaw or the tri-color coleslaw in the bag, which is what I chose because I like a little bit more color in the bowl. The tri-color coleslaw came from the Wal-Mart grocery store, and it contains red cabbage, carrots, and green cabbage.

You can also buy a head of cabbage and cut it up. If you’re going to be cutting cabbage for coleslaw, you’ll need to cut it up enough to create small shredded pieces. If you don’t want to do it all by hand, I have found the best food processor for making coleslaw is the Cuisinart. I bought a small one just for tasks like this one, and it also works well for shredding carrots. I used the food processor to cut up my store-bought shredded cabbage even more because I like the small pieces, and coleslaw tends to have smaller pieces.

Grated carrots with cabbage for coleslaw in a glass bowl

Once you’ve added the shredded cabbage, add the shredded carrots to the bowl.

Mixed coleslaw in a glass bowl with mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar

Finally, stir everything together and make sure that the mayonnaise mixture fully covers the cabbage and carrots. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and place the coleslaw into the refrigerator. Refrigeration time is at least two hours to let everything blend together.

Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw on a fork

After two hours, you can take the coleslaw out of the refrigerator and serve. Be sure to stir it again before serving because the juices will settle to the bottom of the bowl. This is such a great recipe, and I hope you love it. If you do, leave a comment below and let me know what you think. And, if you get a minute, I’d love it if you shared it on social media. Thanks!

Bagged Coleslaw Uses

If you have any cabbage remaining from the bags, you can use it for quite a few things:

  • Toss it in your salad with the rest of your greens for a little more flavor and color.
  • Add it to the skillet with some olive oil and sauté it for a side dish with a steak dinner.
  • Throw it into your favorite soup or stew and give it some extra flavor.
  • Grab the recipe for sauerkraut and make some to eat with your next meal.
  • Create another coleslaw, but with apples, celery, and some toasted nuts for a crunchy and healthy dish.
  • Use the coleslaw on top of tacos instead of lettuce.
  • Put a little bit on top of your barbecue sandwich.
  • If you’re like my son, you can just eat it right out of the bag.
Southern coleslaw in a glass bowl

Can you freeze cole slaw dressing?

You can freeze coleslaw dressing, but the mayonnaise tends to separate and become runny, so be prepared for a little bit more of a runny recipe when you take it out of the freezer. Make sure you place the coleslaw in an airtight container before adding it to the freezer.

How long can you keep homemade coleslaw in the fridge?

Chick-fil-A Coleslaw can be kept in the refrigerator for about three to five days, but after that, it will start to go bad, so you want to eat it before then; however, chances are that you’ll eat it up fast because I think y’all will love the flavor of this coleslaw.

Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw in a red dish

What To Serve With Coleslaw

All of these dishes are perfect for summer cookouts, summer BBQs, holidays, church potlucks, office parties, or for dinner. It’s a family favorite and one that has stood the test of time. My husband even put it on top of his dinner salad and loved it.

Easy Copycat Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw Recipe

Check out Chick-Fil-A’s coleslaw recipe card below, grab those ingredients, and start mixing! I love this easy recipe and I think you’ll love this one, too. It was very popular here at home!

Then, share your comments below and share a picture on the Pinterest Pin!  If you made any changes or added something different, be sure to share it with us!

Coleslaw in a red bowl

Mouthwatering Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw

4.46 from 24 votes
Julie Pollitt
You are going to love this mouthwatering Chick-Fil-A coleslaw recipe because it's not only the original, it's delicious, and it's super easy to make. 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 262 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 4 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 20 ounces finely shredded coleslaw
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped carrots

Instructions
 

  • Add the sugar, vinegar, dry mustard, and salt to a large bowl and mix well.
  • Next, add the mayonnaise to the bowl and mix.
  • Pour the shredded cabbage and carrots into the bowl and mix until everything is covered.
  • Place the creamy coleslaw in the refrigerator, with some plastic wrap on top, for at least two hours.
  • Once you remove it from the refrigerator stir it a couple of times. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 326mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4.46 from 24 votes (22 ratings without comment)

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20 Comments

  1. This coleslaw looks and sounds fabulous. Thank you for sharing. Also, I love the layout of your blog.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Amy! Thank you so much!

  2. I can’t wait to give this a try! I don’t have a chick fil a nearby, so I don’t know what I’m missing. I do love a good coleslaw though and this looks delicious.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thanks so much, Carlee!

  3. Miz Helen says:

    I love Chick Fil A Coleslaw and I sure am excited to get this awesome recipe! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,473 and hope you are having a great week!
    Miz Helen

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thanks and hope you’re having a great week, too!

  4. I’m looking forward to trying this – what type of vinegar do you suggest using?

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Joyce, I didn’t use any vinegar in this recipe, but if you do add some, I would use white distilled vinegar. Enjoy!

      1. The recipe clearly says 4 tablespoons of vinegar.

        1. Julie Pollitt says:

          It does. Thank you for pointing that out. I was looking at the wrong recipe. Mom brain today.

      2. Julie Pollitt says:

        It does call for vinegar, Joyce! Sorry about that, I went and looked at another recipe. It calls for 4 tablespoons of vinegar. Mom brain today. 😉

  5. Instead of having to chop cabbage Harris Teeter sells bated slaw mix cut very small like Chic-fil-a’s. I can’t remember the brand name but it’s call “southern style cold slaw””. It’s great!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Great to know! Thanks for the heads-up, it always helps to save steps!

  6. FYI…..Chick fil a Dwarf Houses still sell coleslaw as a side item! I just had it a couple of weeks ago!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Angie,

      I had to look up the Dwarf Houses – I’d never heard of them. They look like a fun place to eat. Thanks for sharing!

  7. 5 stars
    This is my husband’s favorite coleslaw. Thanks for sharing!

  8. This differs from the Chick-fil-A Cole Slaw on their website, in that yours calls for 4 TABLESPOONS of vinegar and theirs calls for 4 TEASPOONS.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Sally, that is probably a typo. Thanks for letting me know and I will fix that!

  9. 3 stars
    Do you have a recipe for coleslaw made without mayonnaise? My Mom used to make it all the time because too many of us kids didn’t like Miracle Whip OR mayo. It was more a vinegar and oil (usually olive oil nowadays) dressing and was clear, not pasty white looking stuff.

    Whenever we had lettuce salads we always used vinegar and oil dressing, too. My family was just not big on heavy dressings, not even ranch dressing if you can believe that! My kids hated ranch dressing, but my grandkids dip everything in ranch. Ewwww. Chicken strips might be good that way but I can think of nothing else I would want to dip in that stuff. They dip French Fries and onion rings and all kinds of junk it it!

    I’ll stay with vinegar and oil, my preferred “go to”.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi there,

      I don’t have a coleslaw recipe without the mayo. I love vinegar and oil dressing combos, but must admit I love ranch, too. What do your grandkids think of the vinegar and oil? I will take both!