Popeyes is known for its delicious Southern-style fried chicken, but its side dishes like coleslaw often get overlooked. Coleslaw can be hit or miss at fast food restaurants, so does Popeyes serve up a good version?
What is coleslaw?
Coleslaw is a salad made primarily of finely chopped raw cabbage and dressed with a vinaigrette-style dressing. The cabbage is typically green cabbage, but can also include red cabbage or other vegetables like carrots. The dressing is usually a combination of mayonnaise and vinegar or lemon juice, with seasonings like salt, pepper, sugar and celery seed.
There are many variations of coleslaw around the world, but the most common version in the U.S. consists of shredded green cabbage, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. It has a creamy tangy taste and crispy crunchy texture.
How does Popeyes make their coleslaw?
Popeyes uses a classic creamy coleslaw recipe. According to their website, Popeyes coleslaw contains the following ingredients:
- Chopped green cabbage
- Shredded purple cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Soybean oil
- Water
- Sugar
- Distilled vinegar
- Egg yolks
- Salt
- Mustard flour
- Xanthan gum (thickener)
- Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives)
- Natural flavors
- Polysorbate 60 (emulsifier)
The cabbage and carrots are chopped to bite-size pieces and then combined with a sweet creamy mayonnaise-like dressing. The dressing likely contains egg yolks, oil, vinegar and seasonings whisked together to emulsify. Xanthan gum helps thicken the dressing so it coats the cabbage. Preservatives allow the coleslaw to keep for several weeks refrigerated.
Nutrition information
Here are the basic nutrition facts for Popeyes coleslaw (1/2 cup serving):
| Calories | 140 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 11g |
| Carbohydrates | 10g |
| Protein | 1g |
The coleslaw is relatively high in fat at 11g due to the mayonnaise-based dressing. It also contains 10g of carbs, mostly from added sugar. The cabbage and carrots provide fiber, vitamins like vitamin C and K, and minerals. Overall, it’s a tasty side dish but the fat and sugar content add up when eating a full serving.
How does it taste?
Reviews of Popeyes coleslaw are generally positive. Here’s an overview of some of the common feedback:
- Creamy, smooth texture
- Crunchy shredded cabbage
- Tangy and sweet flavor
- Slightly soft and wilted – doesn’t hold up well
- Typical fast food coleslaw flavor
The creamy dressing and shredded vegetables result in a coleslaw with a pleasant soft crunch. The tanginess provides tart flavor while sugar balances it out with some sweetness. It’s a classic creamy coleslaw profile that most people enjoy. However, some find it quickly loses its crunchy texture and can taste overly soft or warm if it sits too long under heat lamps.
How to improve Popeyes coleslaw
If finding Popeyes coleslaw is a bit too soft or soggy for your taste, try these tricks to liven it up:
- Ask for crispy, freshly made coleslaw
- Order it on the side and add dressing just before eating
- Stir in extra vinegar for tang
- Mix in chopped onions or bell peppers for crunch
- Add a dash of hot sauce for a kick
Does it compare well to other fast food coleslaw?
Compared to coleslaw from other popular chains like KFC and Chick-fil-A, Popeyes tends to rate favorably. KFC’s coleslaw is also creamy but often criticized for having excessive filler like onion and carrot making it watery. Chick-fil-A’s is very finely chopped and leaner on the creamy dressing, but can taste underseasoned. Popeyes strikes a good balance of creamy and crunchy textures with a tangy, sweet flavor profile. It’s a solid fast food version of classic coleslaw.
Coleslaw comparison
| Restaurant | Texture | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Popeyes | Creamy, crunchy | Sweet, tangy |
| KFC | Watery, soft | Blanded, oniony |
| Chick-fil-A | Dry, finely chopped | Plain, needs seasoning |
Is Popeyes coleslaw worth ordering?
Popeyes coleslaw stands out from the competition for its classic creamy sweet and tangy flavor paired with shredded crunchy cabbage. For those who enjoy a traditional creamy coleslaw, it’s one of the better options in fast food. While it may not be the most healthy with its high fat and sugar content, it’s a nice complement to Popeyes iconic spicy fried chicken. Ordering it in moderation or on the side can help control portions. Fans of coleslaw will be pleased with this rendition.
Conclusion
Popeyes serves up a solid version of traditional creamy coleslaw. Made with a sweet egg-based mayonnaise dressing coating shredded green and purple cabbage and carrots, it provides a delicious tangy and creamy flavor with crispy crunchy texture. It scores well compared to rival fast food chains, making it a go-to choice for coleslaw lovers. While the high fat and sugar content can add up, it’s perfectly portioned as a side dish with their signature fried chicken. Overall, Popeyes delivers the classic taste and texture coleslaw fans expect.