KFC, Coleslaw
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
KFC's coleslaw is a creamy, tangy salad of finely shredded cabbage and carrots, bound in a sweet, mayonnaise-based dressing. Its texture is a satisfying mix of crisp vegetables and smooth sauce, offering a refreshing contrast to fried chicken. Nutritionally, it's a high-fat, high-sugar side, with over half its calories coming from fat.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 43% carbs · 54% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its creamy, sweet-tangy flavor profile that perfectly cuts through the grease and salt of fried chicken, making it a nostalgic comfort food pairing.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sugar (13.54g/100g) and fat content can cause blood-sugar spikes and add significant calories. To counteract, practice strict portion control (use a small side cup) and pair it with a protein-rich main like grilled chicken to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides dietary fiber from cabbage and carrots.
- Contains some vitamin K from cabbage.
- Offers a crunchy, hydrating texture.
- Serves as a classic palate cleanser with rich foods.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original KFC coleslaw recipe is rumored to contain a small amount of minced onion and a splash of vinegar, which are key to its distinctive, slightly sharp flavor that balances the sweetness.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 74.0 g |
| Energy | 144 kcal |
| Energy | 602 kj |
| Protein | 0.91 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 8.6 g |
| Ash | 0.81 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 15.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 13.5 g |
| Sucrose | 10.2 g |
| Glucose | 1.7 g |
| Fructose | 1.4 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.19 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 28.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.21 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 9.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 20.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 140 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 189 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.15 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 14.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.21 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.24 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.03 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 4.0 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.54 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.04 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 4.8 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 1.6 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 70.9 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.88 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.36 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.0 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.9 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 1.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 4.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.59 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.57 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.01 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.01 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.02 g |
| Cholesterol | 2.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.03 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.03 g |
| Leucine | 0.03 g |
| Lysine | 0.03 g |
| Methionine | 0.02 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.03 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.03 g |
| Arginine | 0.04 g |
| Histidine | 0.02 g |
| Alanine | 0.05 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.07 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.16 g |
| Glycine | 0.03 g |
| Proline | 0.05 g |
| Serine | 0.03 g |
FAQ
Is KFC coleslaw healthy?
It's a high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar side dish. While it contains some fiber from cabbage, it's best enjoyed occasionally as a treat rather than a regular health food.
Why is KFC coleslaw so sweet?
The sweetness primarily comes from added sugar in the mayonnaise-based dressing, a common characteristic of many American-style coleslaw recipes designed for a bold flavor contrast.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Absolutely. You can use a yogurt or vinegar-based dressing, reduce the sugar, and add more vegetables like broccoli stems or bell peppers for extra nutrients and crunch.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.44 kcal/g · 3% calories from protein · 2.0 g fiber · 13.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.35 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.