Varying from the classic bologna sandwich or cold cut platter, I’ve compiled a list of creative and innovative ways to incorporate bologna into your meals. Believe it or not, the list includes 23 mouth-watering bologna recipes that go beyond the usual suspects. You’ll find a mix of familiar favorites and unexpected twists, such as bologna salads, cakes (don’t worry, they’re more complex than you think!), smoked bologna, and even vegan options like plant-based bologna.
Whether you’re looking to spice up your lunch routine or impress friends with new recipes, this list has something for everyone.
Easy Bologna Cake Recipe
Evidently, the bologna cake has gained popularity, often being featured in humorous contexts such as ‘Happy Birthday’ memes. While its appearance may seem comical, this dish has a legitimate place among other classic recipes like grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken fingers. One of the key reasons for its surprising taste is the addition of grated onion and Worcestershire sauce to the cream cheese mixture, which provides an underlying umami flavor.
When assembled, the bologna cake is best served chilled, accompanied by crackers that add a satisfying crunch.
Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad
You’re in for a treat as you’ve already explored egg salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad; now bologna salad is ready to take center stage. Made with an incredibly short list of just 9 or fewer ingredients, this salad spread boasts a delightful balance of cool and tangy flavors that are simply irresistible. Whether served on crackers or nestled between two slices of fresh bread, it’s sure to satisfy your cravings. Plus, its quick preparation time means you can have it ready in under 20 minutes.
Monkey Meat
Navigating your snack options can be overwhelming, especially when you’re looking for something quick and easy to prepare. A popular alternative to traditional bologna salad is monkey meat, which boasts a simplified ingredient list comprising just three key components: bologna, mayonnaise, and baby dill pickles. To assemble this streamlined version, simply feed the solids into a food processor and break them down into manageable pieces.
Once complete, mix the resulting mixture with the mayonnaise. This process typically doesn’t take longer than 15 minutes to execute.
Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich
Fire up the grill and wood chips for an authentic Memphis smoked bologna sandwich experience. This mouth-watering treat requires just six thick slices of bologna, some BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and soft buns. With minimal preparation involved, whether you’re a seasoned grilling expert or a novice, you can easily put together these satisfying sandwiches in no time at all.
Fried Bologna Sliders with Pickle Dijonnaise
Just in case you’re looking for a guilty pleasure that’s as fun to eat as it is to indulge in the moment, these sliders are the perfect treat. They’re unapologetically rich and over-the-top, with a salty, cheesy, buttery flavor combination that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. While they may not be the healthiest option on the menu, they’re certainly worth enjoying from time to time.
In fact, because you’ll only be having them occasionally, you won’t have to feel guilty about going all out and devouring three, four, or even five of them at a sitting.
Ukrainian Potato Salad (Olivye)
Zeroing in on the flavors of Ukraine, this classic potato salad brings together an array of ingredients like tender chunks of potatoes, carrots, and onions, as well as eggs, peas, bologna, pickles, and more. It’s a phenomenal side dish that pairs perfectly with any barbecue, whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or a backyard bash for friends and family. If you’re on the hunt for something creamy and delicious to complement your summer meals, Ukrainian potato salad is an unbeatable choice.
Ring Bologna and Sweet Corn Fried Rice
Flavorful dishes like this rice-based one are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, boasting an impressive balance of protein and vegetables. Its distinct garlic flavor and zesty kick are perfectly balanced by its vibrant appearance, making it a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Additionally, this recipe is a wonderful addition to any home cook’s collection, offering another quick, easy, and satisfying dinner option that can be whipped up in no time.
Bavarian Wurst Salad with Cheese
Although this faux-pasta meal is a bit of an unconventional dish for my personal taste, there are some people who truly enjoy it. Some individuals may appreciate the unique novelty of enjoying stringy bologna as a main course, but others might be more enthusiastic about its flavor profile. If you’re particularly fond of bologna, cheese, and pickles, you may find this meal to be surprisingly pleasant. I’ll let readers weigh in and share their experiences with this unusual dish.
Smoked Bologna
Reimagining classic bologna, this four-ingredient variation combines sweet, smoky, and tangy notes for an unparalleled depth of flavor. While the process may require some patience, as it’s crafted on a smoker over time, the end result is undeniably worth the wait. Each bite is a masterclass in savory succulence, whether enjoyed on a bun with your preferred condiments or savored on its own without any accompaniments.
Ground Bologna Spread with Pickles & Onions
Significantly different from the previous two options, this bologna spread boasts a rich and earthy flavor profile, thanks in part to the addition of sautéed onions. This subtle yet impactful change elevates the overall taste experience, making it an attractive alternative for those seeking a more nuanced flavor combination.
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Crafted with love and care, this vibrant pasta salad combines the creamiest cheeses, savory meats, and freshest vegetables to create a truly delightful culinary experience. The perfect blend of sweet and tangy dressing ties everything together beautifully, making it an ideal choice for a quick lunch or a refreshing side dish at any summer gathering. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just need a flavorful meal on-the-go, this pasta salad is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Southern Bologna Burgers
Generally speaking, this next recipe is another take on a classic combination: bologna on a bun. What sets it apart from other versions, however, is the addition of a creamy and slightly spicy pimento cheese topping. To make this unique condiment, you’ll need to combine Colby and cheddar cheeses with mayonnaise, chopped pimento peppers, salt, and pepper. The result is not only a delicious accompaniment for hot bologna sandwiches but also an incredibly tasty spread that’s perfect on its own.
Burnt End Bologna Bites
Fancying a snack that’s both sweet and savory, these bite-sized bologna cubes are perfect for those who adore the charred ends of brisket or overcooked fried bologna. They boast a delightful golden-brown hue and the crunchiest edges you can imagine, while also maintaining a tender texture and saucy flavor profile that makes them irresistible as indulgent appetizers.
Breakfast Sandwich Recipe with Buttermilk Biscuits
Yellowing butter and buttermilk biscuits are just one of the many delicious components that come together to create a mouthwatering morning sandwich. The combination of a perfectly fried egg, gooey cheese, and crispy bologna is truly unbeatable. With a preparation time of under an hour for eight servings, these treats are an ideal choice for a warm and satisfying family breakfast whenever you’re in the mood.
Gourmet Fried Bologna Sandwich Recipe
Zest for life is often found in the simplest of pleasures, like a perfectly crafted sandwich. For me, thin bologna takes center stage due to its delightful blackened edges, which add an irresistible crunch to each bite. This characteristic elevates the entire experience and makes it my go-to choice when selecting from this list of gourmet sandwiches.
The addition of sharp white cheddar and garlic butter only serves to amplify the flavors, but let’s be real – every component of this mouthwatering sandwich is a masterclass in culinary perfection.
Bologna Stew
Relishing a hearty Bologna stew might seem unconventional, yet it offers an excellent blend of taste and affordability. Remember to select a substantial piece of bologna so that you can cut it into suitable chunks. One- to two-inch pieces are ideal, but smaller portions also work well. Roasting or searing the meat plays a crucial role in this recipe, as it significantly enhances the texture and flavor.
The ease with which Bologna stew is prepared makes it an exceptionally simple yet satisfying dish. I strongly recommend giving it a try.
French Poodles
Often underestimated due to their diminutive size, French poodles are surprisingly satisfying snacks that share many characteristics with corn dogs. However, instead of being large sticks coated in a crunchy batter, they come in bite-sized form, making them the perfect treat for social gatherings or on-the-go snacking. With their crispy exteriors and tender centers, which typically feature bologna as the main ingredient, it’s no wonder why French poodles have become popular party appetizers.
Fried Bologna Sandwich With & Onion
Needless to say, this rich, sloppy sandwich may initially look like heartburn waiting to happen, but its flavor profile is surprisingly satisfying.
Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich
Generally speaking, this sandwich is reminiscent of Hardee’s bacon, egg, and cheese toaster, albeit with some key differences. In place of bacon, fried bologna is used, which significantly impacts the flavor profile but doesn’t detract from the overall taste experience. The addition of a lot more garlic further enhances the richness, resulting in a culinary delight that is still cheesy, salty, and crunchy, making it impossible to resist its appeal.
Vegan Baloney (Bologna)
Keeping in mind that vegan alternatives often don’t replicate the exact taste of their meat-based counterparts, it’s essential to have realistic expectations when trying vegan bologna for the first time. Known as an acquired taste, this plant-based version doesn’t mimic the authentic flavor of its conventional cousin. Nevertheless, many people find it surprisingly palatable, especially when cooked through pan-frying, which brings out its unique flavors and textures.
While it may not satiate the cravings of die-hard bologna enthusiasts, those who appreciate a good blend of herbs and spices might enjoy this option. In fact, this vegan bologna boasts an impressive array of seasonings, including paprika, garlic, soy sauce, onion powder, nutmeg, and mustard powder, which collectively create a rich and complex flavor profile that’s undoubtedly pleasing to the palate.
Bologna Stromboli
You’ll be delighted to know that only seven ingredients are required to create this delightful cheesy, slightly tangy stromboli, which is likely to be easily accessible in your kitchen already. The simplicity of the recipe lies in its minimal ingredient list, comprising just a can of refrigerated pizza dough, some bologna, cheese, mayo, mustard, sweet pickle relish, and an egg. With such basic yet complementary elements, you can effortlessly prepare this innovative twist on a classic dish.
Ham Salad Recipe with Bologna Option
Omitting the smooth and creamy version we just shared, here’s an alternative recipe for bologna salad that offers a chunkier texture and lighter flavor profile. This variation still incorporates classic ingredients like bologna, celery, eggs, and more, but presents them in a thicker and denser format. The addition of fresh basil leaves adds a distinct twist, giving the dish a brighter and more refreshing taste.
If you’re looking for a change of pace from the previous recipe, this one is definitely worth trying.
23 Best Bologna Recipes That Go Beyond Sandwiches
Making the most out of your deli counter staples, it’s no secret that bologna can be a game-changer in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking for simple additions to elevate salads or want to get creative with burgers and sandwiches, these recipes prove just how versatile this oft-overlooked ingredient really is.
Instructions
Most people know that cooking can be time-consuming, but with some planning and organization, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time. To get started, choose your favorite recipe from various options available online or in cookbooks. Then, gather all the necessary ingredients and ensure they are fresh and within their expiration dates. Finally, focus on preparing a bologna recipe that can be completed in 30 minutes or less.
