Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (2024)

By: Author Ally

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Smoked bologna is a quick and easy smoker recipe for a deliciously smoked log of bologna perfect for fried bologna and bologna sandwiches!

You just can't beat a good bologna sandwich. This is a fact of life.

You know what makes a good bologna sandwich great? Smoked bologna!

This smoked bologna recipe is dedicated to greateness.

Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (1)
Jump to:
  • Tips + Tricks
  • Key ingredients
  • How to smoke bologna
  • How to use smoked bologna
  • Storage and batch information
  • More smoked recipes to love
  • Recommened equipment
  • 📖 Printable Recipe

Tips + Tricks

No. 1 --> Resist the urge to rub! When applying rub to your bologna chub, avoid rubbing if at all possible, despite the cross cuts in the skin, this is still a smooth piece of meat and touching it will actually pull the rub right off. Try sprinkling it and then placing on the smoker.

No. 2 --> If you're planning on eating the bologna hot off the smoker, use a sharp knife and cut it thick for bologna burgers or cube it into little bite-sized morsels! If you're serving it cold, allow the bologna to cool in the fridge overnight before slicing with a meat slicer, or a sharp knife.

No. 3 --> Put your bologna chub in a cookie sheet when you're applying rub - this keeps the rub contained while you're sprinkling the rub mixture onto the bologna. Not only does it make clean up a breeze, it's also perfect for carrying your bologna to the smoker.

Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (2)

Key ingredients

Bologna - Buy your bologna in a chub. Not only is it required, but it's also much more cost effective to buy a large quantity (in my experience). If you're having trouble finding a whole chub vs sliced bologna, ask at the deli counter.

Mustard - In this recipe, just like my smoked pork picnic roast, yellow mustard acts as a binder, don't worry, it won't give off a strong mustard flavor, it's just gonna help stick that delicious rub to the bologna!

Rub - This recipe works with any rub, you can use store-bought, I used Traeger Coffee Rub this time, but I have used my smoked brisket rub in the past and it all works.

Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (3)

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How to smoke bologna

  1. Preheat your smoker to 225f.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the bologna chub by scoring 1/4 - 3/8" cuts into the outside. This can be done in a checked or crosshatch pattern. These score marks will help to hold rub on the bologna, they will also spread open during cooking allowing better smoke penetration.
  3. Rub the entire chub, including ends with mustard.
  4. Mix the brown sugar and your favorite BBQ rub in a medium bowl, then sprinkle it on the bologna. Avoid rubbing at this point, as too much handling will pull the rub off the bologna.
  5. Smoke the bologna directly on the grate for your smoker, we usually use the middle rack for this recipe, at 225f for 3 - 4 hours, or until the rub is a deep brown and crispy.
  6. Remove the chub from the smoker and allow it to cool on a cooling rack for at least a few minutes before slicing!
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Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (5)
Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (6)
Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (7)
Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (8)
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Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (10)

How to use smoked bologna

  • Smoked bologna can be served hot right off the smoker in thick slices like a bologna burger.
  • It can be cubed and skewered on toothpicks for a tasty appetizer.
  • It can be cooled and sliced for cold bologna sandwiches.
  • Or thick-cut for fried bologna sandwiches.
Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (11)
Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (12)

Storage and batch information

Storage:

Smoked bologna will keep in your fridge for 4-5 days, but I wouldn't keep it in there much longer than that.

If you need longer-term storage, you can either slice the chub into smaller chubs or use a meat slicer to make sandwich slices and freeze in reasonable sized portions. I like to vacuum seal mine and store in the freezer for later use. Vacuum sealed smoked bologna will keep in the freezer for 6-12 months no problem!

Batch information:

This recipe can be halved or doubled, easily!

We used a 4 kg bologna chub (nearly 9 lbs, for our American friends). This makes A LOT of smoked bologna, but somehow it always disappears. Between gifting chunks to friends and family to the kids' lunches, it gets eaten!

More smoked recipes to love

  • Smoked Brussels Sprouts
  • Smoked Asparagus
  • Smoked Burgers
  • Smoked Jalapeño Popper Dip

Recommened equipment

Pellet Grill -I have, love, and use extensively aTRAEGER TIMBERLINE 1300. I have zero qualms with recommending this unit to anyone looking to purchase a smoker. We absolutely love ours!Check out all the greatSMOKED RECIPESwe've developed.

Meat slicer - If you're planning on making smoked bologna sandwiches, a meat slicer comes in so handy! We use ours for so many things, including home-smoked bacon, beef jerky, slicing up leftover smoked turkey, or double-smoked ham.

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📖 Printable Recipe

Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (18)

Yield: 100 slices

Smoked Bologna

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 4kg bologna chub
  • 3-4 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup BBQ rub

Instructions

  1. Preheat your smoker to 225f.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the bologna chub by scoring 1/4 - 3/8" cuts into the outside. This can be done in a checked or crosshatch pattern. These score marks will help to hold rub on the bologna, they will also spread open during cooking allowing better smoke penetration.
  3. Rub the entire chub, including ends with yellow mustard.
  4. Mix the brown sugar and your favorite BBQ rub in a medium bowl, then sprinkle it on the bologna. Avoid rubbing at this point, as too much handling will pull the rub off the bologna.
  5. Smoke the bologna directly on the grate for your smoker at 225f for 3 - 4 hours, or until the rub is a deep brown and crispy.
  6. Remove the chub from the smoker and allow it to cool on a cooling rack for at least a few minutes before slicing.

Notes

Storage:

Smoked bologna will keep in your fridge for 4-5 days.

If you need longer-term storage, you can either slice the chub into smaller chubs or use a meat slicer to make sandwich slices and freeze in reasonably sized portions. Vacuum sealed bologna will keep in the freezer for 6-12 months.

Batch information:

This recipe can be halved or doubled, easily!

We used a 4 kg bologna chub (nearly 9 lbs, for our American friends). This makes A LOT of smoked bologna, but somehow it always disappears. Between gifting chunks to friends and family to the kids' lunches, it gets eaten

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

100

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 128Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 395mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g

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Smoked Bologna [ A Quick + Easy Traeger Recipe ] - crave the good (2024)

FAQs

How long should I smoke my bologna? ›

Fire up a smoker or grill to 225°F (105°C), adding chunks of smoking wood chunks when at temperature. When the wood is ignited and producing smoke, place bologna in the smoker or grill, and smoke until outside has darkened, 2 to 3 hours. Remove from smoker, let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then slice and serve.

Is smoked bologna an oklahoma thing? ›

Barbecue bologna's city of origin is debated, but is often credited to barbecue restaurants in either Tulsa or Oklahoma City. The dish is considered to be a staple of Oklahoma barbecue. Food Network Magazine named the smoked bologna sandwich as the sandwich that represented the state of Oklahoma in 2012.

What is a nickname for smoked bologna? ›

Barbecued or smoked bologna is also called Oklahoma Prime Rib, a cheeky name for this humble food. In Tennessee, it's also known as Bologna Round Steak or Redneck Round Steak.

How do you smoke bologna on a pit boss pellet grill? ›

Once the grill is ready, place the seasoned bologna directly on the grill grates. Close the lid of the grill and let the bologna smoke for approximately 2-3 hours. During this time, the bologna will absorb the smoky flavor from the wood pellets, and the outer layer will develop a beautiful caramelized crust.

What meats take the shortest time to smoke? ›

Turkey. Though mostly eaten at Thanksgiving, turkey is one of the easiest and quickest meats to smoke. It's a quick-fix recipe that requires about two hours to prepare and smoke. Not forgetting how tender, savory, and flavourful a turkey can be.

What is the best wood to smoke bologna with? ›

My favorite wood is typically oak or hickory because the bologna won't be on the smoker for too long so I try and choose something a little bold. Prep. Remove the bologna from the packaging and remove any red wax from the outside of the bologna.

How long will smoked bologna last in the refrigerator? ›

Its lifespan is similar and best enjoyed within 7 days after opening. Ring bologna is another variety. Because it's made with a blend of spices and is smoked, it can last around 75 days when vacuum sealed, but only 7 days once opened.

Does smoked bologna need to be refrigerated? ›

Smoking meat was a method of preservation used before refrigeration was available, so smoked meats should last longer than simply cooked meat. So many variables would determine how long smoked meat could last; I suggest you keep it refrigerated and monitor its freshness.

What part of the pig is bologna? ›

The meat used in bologna varies widely, but traditional low-cost bologna is made with miscellaneous meat trimmings and byproducts from pork, beef, chicken, or turkey. Organ meats such as heart and liver are also more prevalent in cheaper brands. Additional fat, water, and stock is often added to keep the texture moist.

What is the slang word for bologna? ›

The word baloney comes from the sandwich meat called bologna, which is typically made of leftover scraps of meat. Around 1920, baloney came to mean "nonsense," and it was also used to describe an unskilled boxer. Use it to describe utter nonsense, not necessarily evil lies, but just words that mean nothing.

What is the red thing around bologna called? ›

A: That “red string” is just the sausage casing that wasn't removed before slicing, and with the advent of caseless sausage processing there is no casing to slice, so no “red string”. The process was patented in 1982.

What do British call bologna? ›

TIL Bologna in Britain and Ireland is called polony.

How do you smoke a roll of bologna on a pellet smoker? ›

Step
  1. Score the bologna log being careful not to cut too deep.
  2. Mix brown sugar, mustard, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce together.
  3. Once mixed, rub it all over the bologna.
  4. When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 225℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. ...
  5. Smoke bologna for 3 to 4 hours.

Do you need to flip meat on a pellet smoker? ›

A large cooking area may need you to flip and rotate your meat to ensure it cooks evenly. Some food smokers will have cold and warm parts, especially if you use indirect heat to cook your meat.

What meat to smoke in 3 hours? ›

BBQ Smoking Times and Temperatures Chart
Type of MeatSmoking Temp*Time to Complete
Chicken Quarters2503 hours
Whole Turkey (12 lb.)2406.5 hours
Turkey Leg2504 hours
Meat Loaf250–3003 hours
10 more rows

What is the perfect temperature for smoking meat? ›

To get the best out of your smoker, the temperature should be between 225 and 250 °F (107 and 121 °C). Ensure you confirm the internal temperature of the food until you are sure it's done. Don't consume meat that's below 145 °F (63 °C) for safety reasons.

What meat takes 2 hours to smoke? ›

Pork smoking times and temperatures

A typical estimate for pork butt cooking time is 2 hours per pound of pork.

How long should you smoke meat for? ›

Smoke Times & Temperatures Chart
Type of MeatSmoking TempTime to Complete *
Meat Loaf250 -300°F3 hrs
Meatballs (2 inch)250°F1 hr
Spare Ribs225-250°F5-6 hrs
Baby Back Ribs225-250°F5-6 hrs
18 more rows

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