Cracker Barrel Coleslaw-Copycat Recipe
You don’t have to go to Cracker Barrel to enjoy their delicious creamy coleslaw. Our copycat cracker barrel coleslaw recipe is made with fresh shredded green and purple cabbage, carrots, and a tangy Miracle Whip dressing infused with buttermilk, lemon juice, vinegar, and spices. Quick to assemble and chilled for 3 hours to meld flavors, it’s a crowd-pleasing cracker barrel slaw recipe that’s crisp, flavorful, and perfect for replicating the restaurant classic at home.
We all have our favorite place to enjoy certain dishes like coleslaw. And some love KFC coleslaw but our favorite is Cracker Barrel coleslaw. So we made it a goal to try to recreate those amazing flavors with this recipe. This is a super easy copy cat cracker barrel slaw recipe that tastes like the real thing. This coleslaw is made with a homemade miracle whip coleslaw dressing.
We use all fresh ingredients like carrots, two different types of cabbages for this coleslaw recipe. And for our coleslaw dressing recipe we use fresh lemon juice, buttermilk and Miracle Whip and flavorful seasonings. Everything is mixed together and chilled for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to marry for the absolute best copy cat cracker barrel coleslaw. No worries we have got you covered with this simple yet mouth-watering copycat recipe. Trust us, it’s worth the effort.
Why We Love This Recipe And Think You Will Too
- Brings the exact creamy, tangy Cracker Barrel flavor home with simple pantry ingredients—no long drives or mystery mixes needed!
- Super quick and easy to make with fresh shredded cabbage, carrots, and purple cabbage for the perfect crunch and beautiful color.
- The homemade Miracle Whip dressing is perfectly balanced—sweet, tangy, and creamy with just the right seasonings.
- Make-ahead friendly—it tastes even better after chilling for a few hours.
- Budget-friendly and makes plenty for family dinners, BBQs, potlucks, or picnics.
- Pairs beautifully with pulled pork, ribs, sandwiches, fried chicken, and all your favorite summer meals.
- Once you try it, you’ll never want the restaurant version again!
We’re confident this will become one of your go-to side dishes too! 😊
Key Ingredients
- Shredded Cabbage: The star of any great coleslaw. I use fresh green cabbage for that classic crisp texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor that holds up beautifully to the creamy dressing.
- Shredded Carrots: Adds a natural sweetness and beautiful orange color. They bring a little crunch and help balance the tanginess of the dressing—just like Cracker Barrel does it.
- Shredded Purple Cabbage: Gives the slaw those pretty pops of color and a bit more bold, peppery flavor. It makes the whole dish look (and taste) extra special while keeping that signature Cracker Barrel vibe.
These three fresh veggies together create the perfect crunchy base for that creamy Miracle Whip dressing! Freshly shredded is best for the most authentic taste.
- Miracle Whip: The creamy, tangy base that gives this dressing its signature smooth texture and mild sweetness—key to that classic Cracker Barrel taste.
- Celery Seed: Adds a subtle earthy, celery-like flavor that brings authentic restaurant depth without overpowering the slaw.
- Salt & Pepper: The essential seasonings that enhance all the flavors and bring everything into perfect balance.
- Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance the tanginess, creating that crave-worthy sweet-and-sour profile.
- Vinegar: Delivers bright acidity and tang that cuts through the richness and keeps the slaw tasting fresh.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a fresh citrus brightness that lifts all the flavors and mimics the zesty notes in the original.
- Buttermilk: Gives a creamy tang and richness while helping tenderize the veggies slightly for better flavor melding.
- Milk: Thins the dressing to the perfect pourable consistency so it coats every shred of cabbage evenly.
Together, these simple pantry staples create that irresistible creamy, tangy dressing that makes this copycat taste just like the real thing! Chill it well for the best results. 😊
Equipment needed:
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Salad Shredder, optional
Expert Tips
- Opt for Fresh Shredded Vegetables: For the best flavor and texture mimicking Cracker Barrel’s slaw, shred your own green cabbage, purple cabbage, and carrots using a sharp knife or salad shooter instead of pre-bagged mixes—the freshness elevates the taste significantly.
- How to prevent coleslaw from being watery or soupy after adding dressing? Place your shredded cabbage in a colander over a bowl or in the kitchen sink. Add salt to it and toss it to combine and allow it to set for at least an hour preferable 3-4 hours then rinse out the salt. Pat dry with paper towels, the cabbage will appear limp but it is crisp and will absorb the dressing better. This will remove the excess liquid from the cabbage prior to adding the dressing.
- Chill thoroughly Before Serving: Always refrigerate the mixed coleslaw for at least 3 hours (or overnight) to allow the flavors of the Miracle Whip dressing, lemon juice, and seasonings to fully marry, resulting in a creamy, tangy profile just like the original.
How to make this Cracker Barrel Coleslaw Recipe:
The full recipe card is below, but I’ll walk you through how I make these and a few little things that make the process easier.
Using a sharp knife or a salad shooter and shred your cabbages and carrots. Then place them in a large mixing bowl and mix well.
Note
You could use a bagged mix for coleslaw but it’s usually not as tasty as freshly shredded cabbages and carrots.
Add the miracle whip, celery seed, salt, pepper, sugar, vinegar, buttermilk, milk, and lemon juice to the cabbage/carrot mixture.
Using tongs or a couple of forks to this Crackle Barrel coleslaw until very well combined. Cover and place in your refrigerator and chill for 3 hours prior to serving.
Remove your slaw from the fridge and give it a stir or a couple tosses to mix everything together. Serve at your next cookout, BBQ or picnic.
Storage and Make Ahead
Always store coleslaw in the refrigerator and it should be consumed within 3-5 days after combining with dressing. Never leave it out for longer than 2 hours.
There you have it—your very own Cracker Barrel coleslaw right at home! This creamy, tangy copycat is crisp, refreshing, and perfect for everything from backyard BBQs to weeknight dinners with the family. Once you try it, you might just skip the restaurant drive altogether. Give it a whirl and let me know how it turns out in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a bagged coleslaw mix instead of shredding my own cabbage and carrots?
Yes, you can for convenience! However, we highly recommend freshly shredded cabbage and carrots for the best texture and flavor that most closely matches Cracker Barrel’s version. Bagged mixes work in a pinch but can sometimes be less crisp.
How long does this coleslaw last in the refrigerator?
Stored in an airtight container, this coleslaw will keep well for 3-5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving. For food safety, never leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Can I substitute mayonnaise for Miracle Whip?
Miracle Whip is what gives this recipe its signature sweet-tangy taste, so we recommend sticking with it for the most authentic Cracker Barrel copycat flavor. If you only have mayonnaise, the slaw will still be tasty but milder and less tangy—you may want to add a bit more vinegar or lemon juice to compensate.
What to serve with coleslaw?
Other Side Dish Recipes:
🍴Recipe
Ingredients
Slaw
- 1 cup Shredded Cabbage
- 1 cup Shredded Carrots
- 1 cup Shredded Purple Cabbage
Dressing:
- 1 cup Miracle Whip
- 1 teaspoon Celery Seed
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ⅓ cup Sugar
- ¼ cup Vinegar
- ¼ cup Buttermilk
- ¼ Milk
- 4 teaspoons Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife or a salad shooter and shred your cabbages and carrots. Then place them in a large mixing bowl and mix well.
- Add the miracle whip, celery seed, salt, pepper, sugar, vinegar, buttermilk, milk, and lemon juice to the cabbage/carrot mixture.
- Using tongs or a couple of forks and toss until very well combined. Cover and place in your refrigerator and chill for 3 hours prior to serving.
- Remove from the fridge and give it a stir or a couple tosses to mix everything together and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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