Popeye’s Coleslaw Recipe

This creamy, tangy Popeye’s coleslaw recipe tastes just like what you would order at the popular American fast food restaurant. Zesty raw cabbage, carrots, and onions tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing makes a delicious side dish. Plus, prep time is only 15 minutes!

Does Popeye’s Have Coleslaw?

Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, most commonly known as just Popeye’s, is known for its buttermilk-battered chicken sandwiches.

However, those chicken sandwiches wouldn’t be what they are today if it weren’t for the coleslaw accompanying them. The coleslaw is perfectly creamy and tangy with just the right amount of sweetness that pairs so well with fried chicken. 

Popeye’s coleslaw isn’t just great with chicken entrées like fried chicken, Popeyes blackened chicken tenders, and pan-fried chicken cutlets. It’s a perfect accompaniment for any protein, like 321 ribs, pork tenderloin, smoked tri tip, or any grilled meat. It’s especially tasty with anything that includes BBQ sauce.

Recreate Popeye’s Coleslaw at home and enjoy a delicious side with your choice of meat without hitting the drive-thru. It also makes a great romantic picnic food because it’s easy to prepare and transport.

How to Make Popeye’s Coleslaw

While it takes only 15 minutes to prep, I suggest making this the day before your event and letting it marinate in the fridge. Coleslaw usually needs time for all the flavors to meld together, so it’s a perfect dish for meal prep.

And since this recipe uses only real food ingredients, you can feel good about serving it to your family and any guests that come to visit.

Popeye’s Coleslaw Ingredients

For the dressing:

• Mayonnaise: This is the base of the dressing, so make sure you get good quality mayonnaise or make your own. Alternatively, you can use Greek yogurt as a leaner option.
• Sugar: We prefer organic sugar, but you can even use honey for a healthier coleslaw dressing.
• Apple cider vinegar: If preferred, you may use white vinegar but don’t skip this ingredient as it adds great tangy flavor to the coleslaw.
• Extra virgin olive oil: As with mayonnaise, get good quality olive oil that is not cut with other oils.

For the salad: 

• Green cabbage: Finely shredded raw green cabbage makes the best coleslaw.
• Carrots: Pick fresh carrots and shred them yourself for the best flavor and texture.
• Yellow onion: This adds great flavor, and you can easily run it through the food processor after cabbage and carrot.

Step-By-Step Directions

Ready to make a delicious side? Follow these simple directions, and you can’t go wrong!

Step one: Make the dressing

Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil in a small mixing bowl and set aside.

Substitute with Popeyes spicy mayonnaise if you’re a Popeyes super fan and love spicy!

Step two: Make the salad

Add shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions to a large bowl and toss to combine. Pour the dressing over, and mix well with a pair of tongs until the dressing coats everything evenly. 

This coleslaw is a perfect recipe for turning to the food processor for help – it makes all the shredding a breeze! 

I used a ¼” slicing disk on my food processor to generate thin, even slices. The uniform cabbage ribbons also make the coleslaw look nice and professional. And since the food processor was out already, I shredded the onion too.

If you choose to shred by hand, watch this tutorial on cutting cabbage for coleslaw and check out those knife skills first.

Step three: Chill and marinate

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours before serving. 

Serve chilled straight from the refrigerator. Popeye’s Coleslaw pairs well with fried chicken, air fryer pork chops, BBQ chicken legs in a crock pot, Instant Pot pork ribs, slow cooker baby back ribs, or any other meat.

I always like coleslaw with ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls, pulled pork grilled cheese, or quesabirria tacos maybe because it reminds me of my younger years or warm summer weather. I can’t say, but I know it’s tasty!

If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Popeye’s Coleslaw Recipe FAQ

Nutrition facts are calculated by [CarbManager].

More Easy Copycat Recipes

• Copycat Ruth Chris stuffed chicken
• McDonald’s breakfast sauce
• McDonald’s hotcakes
• Bahama Mama tropical smoothie