This smoked bologna recipe is one of the most requested recipes by people who love eating good bologna at home. We know it’s hard to get good-quality smoked bologna at home. So we decided to do a quick and easy recipe for smoked bologna that we hope you will enjoy.
What is bologna?
Bologna is a smoked salted meat produced from the hindquarters of cattle, including beef or buffalo. It is often cured with spices, herbs, and salt and has been a staple food in many countries for hundreds of years.
There’s a big difference between smoking brisket and other BBQ (BBQ) meats. Thin slices of smoked bologna are perfect for making sandwiches or grilling thick slices to enjoy as bologna steaks.
Why does this smoked bologna recipe work?
The best way to smoke bologna is to make it at home! Save time and enjoy a delicious meal in less than half an hour!
As I mentioned earlier, smoked bologna is a simple recipe to make in your home kitchen, but this time we’ll make it in a new way! Using the bologna meat will cut down the cooking time significantly and reduce mess. And don’t worry, it will still taste just as delicious.
When made using conventional methods, you have to worry about how long the smoking bologna takes to reach a smoky flavor, which varies depending on your pre-cooked smoked meats and the volume of brown sugar you’re using. The smoking process can be a bit tricky, but rest assured everything will be cooked properly if you just follow the instructions in the recipe below!
Recipe ingredients
This smoked bologna recipe is perfect for busy weeknight dinners. It comes together in just 20 minutes and requires only a few basic ingredients. The following are all the ingredients required for making the smoked bologna recipe at home:
- 1 piece of bologna, 3 to 5 pounds
- 2 tablespoons of your favorite barbecue rub (we love Byron’s)
- Mustard barbecue sauce (optional, for sandwiches)
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1 to 2 small chunks of smoking wood
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper (optional for barbecue sauce and hot dog)
- 10-12 potato rolls (optional, for sandwiches)
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Steps for making smoked bologna recipe
The following steps should be carefully followed while making the smoked bologna recipe:
Gather ingredients and score the bologna with a paring knife, then cut it into thin slices.
When adding flavored wood pellets to a pellet smoker, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Place the hickory chips inside the smoker and preheat it to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper.
This recipe for smoked bologna requires a sharp knife and some practice to get the bologna nice and uniform in shape and color.
Brush the outside of the bologna with yellow mustard.
Sprinkle the barbecue seasoning all over the bologna, including inside the cuts.
Add the bologna to the smoker and smoke the bologna for 2-3 hours.
Brush the bologna with barbecue sauce every hour if you wish, or leave it alone for a couple of hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Take the smoked bologna out of the smoker and transfer it to a cutting board.
Cut the bologna into slices. Add the bologna slices to a piece of white bread or buns for a smoked bologna sandwich.
Finally, your delicious smoked bologna recipe is ready. You can serve it with your favorite barbecue sauce!!
Tips for success
Take off any outer layer from the exterior of the bologna.
Use a sharp blade/knife to cut slits across the flat sections of the bologna. This allows the smoke flavor to penetrate the bologna.
Don’t worry about spreading or pressing the rub over it. When you are smoking bologna, first sprinkle it with salt, then add in your herbs and spices.
Use the tip of a sharp knife to cut thin slices for sandwiches. If you’re eating your bologna fancy, after slicing it into thin slices, cut the rest into cubes and serve it with thin chopsticks or even toothpicks. Include a tasty dip for optimal flavor and presentation.
If you are eating your bologna cold, freeze it before chipping it into thread-like slices the following day.
Best way to serve?
You can serve this recipe with all of your favorite side dishes. Don’t hesitate to add some fun toppings to your dish as well to change up the flavor and taste. This gives everyone a chance to create their very own pasta, taco bowl, or breakfast burrito however they’d like.
Best way to store?
If you have leftovers, add them to an airtight container and keep them stored in the fridge. The leftover bologna should be fine for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat Smoked Bologna?
The easiest way to reheat this dish is to do it in the microwave. You can add some freshly shredded cheese and some onion powder on top as well.
Try this wonderful smoked bologna recipe next time you have a hankering for a tasty, savory and filling meal!
FAQs
How long does it take to smoke bologna?
Usually, It takes 2 to 3 hours to smoke bologna. However, this cooking time can be reduced by the addition of mustard on the entire surface of the bologna.
Can I use frozen bologna?
Yes, you can. If you are using frozen bologna that is not defrosted, add 1 minute to the cooking time.
How long does Smoked Bologna last?
It can last around 75 days when vacuum-sealed, but only 7 days once opened.
At what temperature is bologna done?
Since bologna is already cooked, you don’t need to follow a certain temperature protocol, but I do always try to get the interior temperature above 145 degrees F so it isn’t sitting in the food bacteria growth danger zone when serving. Smoking whole bologna at this temperature will transform the outside into a crisp, smoky treat.
Can you cold smoke meat before cooking?
This is a diverting reminder that cold smoking does not cook, or cure your meat in any way. Another option is to smoke your meat while it is raw, for a short period of time, taking special care that it does not reach dangerous temperatures. Then cook the meat immediately after the cold smoking process.
How do you store smoked bologna?
Meat: The main ingredient in bologna is ground meat, which could be any combination of pork, beef, chicken and turkey or only one of those meats. You can even find bologna made of venison or other game meat.
How long does smoked bologna last in the fridge?
Vacuum sealing is one of the best ways to lengthen how long smoked bologna will last in your fridge. Government agencies and home chefs agree that even properly wrapped and refrigerated smoked meat should be consumed within 4 days. And you don’t want to keep it in the freezer longer than three months.