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Classic Creamy Copycat Chick-fil-A Coleslaw Recipe Easy Homemade Side Dish

Classic Creamy Copycat Chick-fil-A Coleslaw - featured image

A quick and easy homemade coleslaw recipe that replicates the creamy, tangy, and crunchy classic Chick-fil-A coleslaw, perfect as a side dish for grilled chicken, BBQs, and casual meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups finely shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (preferably full-fat)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons milk (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: Remove outer leaves of cabbage and slice in half. Finely shred about 4 cups of green cabbage using a mandoline or sharp knife. Peel and shred 1 cup of carrots. Rinse cabbage and carrots under cold water, then spin dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or pat dry with towels to avoid watery coleslaw. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. If the dressing is too thick, whisk in 2 tablespoons of milk to thin it just enough to coat the veggies nicely. (5 minutes)
  3. Combine veggies and dressing: Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and carrots. Toss well using tongs or two large spoons until all the veggies are evenly coated. (2-3 minutes)
  4. Chill and flavor meld: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors marry and soften the cabbage slightly without losing crunch. (1 hour)
  5. Final taste check: Before serving, stir the coleslaw and adjust salt or pepper if needed. If too thick after chilling, add a splash of milk to loosen. (1-2 minutes)

Notes

For best flavor and texture, shred vegetables finely and dry thoroughly before mixing. Chill coleslaw at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. Use vegan mayo and plant-based milk for a dairy-free version. Adjust sweetness or tang by adding more sugar or vinegar to taste. Adding celery or green onions can boost crunch. Avoid serving immediately after mixing for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: coleslaw, Chick-fil-A, copycat recipe, creamy coleslaw, side dish, easy coleslaw, homemade coleslaw, picnic recipe, BBQ side