Confession time: I used to think bologna was just for sandwiches, maybe fried until the edges got all crispy. But oh, was I sleeping on this humble deli meat!
I’ve rounded up 23 bologna recipes that go way beyond the classic sandwich, from bologna salads and smoky smoked bologna to a bologna cake (trust me, it’s not what you’re picturing) and even vegan bologna. I think you'll find a new favorite way to love it.
1. Bologna Stromboli
Just seven ingredients stand between you and this cheesy, slightly tangy stromboli, and you might already have every single one of them. Grab a can of refrigerated pizza dough, some bologna, cheese, mayo, mustard, sweet pickle relish, and an egg, and you can throw it together in no time. It’s a fresh, flavorful spin on a classic.
2. Easy Bologna Cake Recipe
You might have seen this one next to a “Happy Birthday” meme, but a bologna cake is a real recipe, I promise. It looks totally silly, but it’s surprisingly delicious. Stir onion powder into your cream cheese for a little extra flavor, then coat and stack every slice into a big, impressive “cake.”
3. French Poodles
French poodles are basically teeny tiny corn dog bites with bologna tucked inside. They’ve got that same slightly sweet, crunchy coating you love on a corn dog, but in a super fun, one-or-two-bite package. If you need a playful party appetizer, French poodles are going to be your new favorite thing.
4. Antipasto Pasta Salad
This colorful pasta salad stars tender noodles, salty meats, cheesy goodness, and all your favorite fresh veggies. A sweet and tangy dressing ties everything together perfectly. It makes a flavor-packed lunch or a show-stopping side for your next summer cookout.
5. Southern Bologna Burgers
Another hearty sandwich, this one puts a thick slice of bologna on a bun and takes it way over the top with a homemade pimento cheese. You’ll whip that up with Colby, cheddar, mayo, pimento peppers, salt, and pepper. It’s unbelievably good, and truly the perfect hot bologna sandwich topping.
6. Breakfast Sandwich Recipe with Buttermilk Biscuits
Thick, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, a perfectly fried egg, melty cheese, and crispy bologna… What else could you possibly want in a breakfast sandwich? You can make eight of these in under an hour, so next time you’re craving a warm, filling family breakfast, this is the one.
7. Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich
Fire up the grill and grab your wood chips. This is how you make an authentic Memphis smoked bologna sandwich.
You only need six thick slices of bologna, some BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and buns. Grill master or total beginner, you’ll have these hearty sandwiches ready in a flash.
8. Burnt End Bologna Bites
Calling all burnt end lovers! These crispy, sweet, smoky bologna cubes are for anyone who adores the charred ends of brisket or fried bologna that’s almost black.
They come out a gorgeous golden brown with the crispiest edges imaginable. Tender, saucy, and totally decadent, they’re scrumptious little appetizer bites.
9. Ukrainian Potato Salad (Olivye)
Tender bites of potato, carrot, and onion mingle with eggs, peas, bologna, pickles, and more in this phenomenal Ukrainian potato salad. It’s a dreamy side for any barbecue. If you’re after something creamy and totally delicious for summer, this one’s unbeatable.
10. Ring Bologna and Sweet Corn Fried Rice
This rice dish is packed with protein and veggies, and it’s got this gorgeous, colorful look that’s as appealing as the flavor. It’s garlicky, zesty, and oh-so satisfying. Plus, it’s another quick, easy, and filling dinner to add to your rotation.
11. Fried Bologna Sliders with Pickle Dijonnaise
If you need a fun appetizer with zero health cred but tastes absolutely insanely scrumptious, these sliders are it. They’re pure indulgence: salty, cheesy, buttery, and gloriously greasy.
Definitely not an everyday thing, but for a special treat every now and then? Oh, yes.
12. Bavarian Wurst Salad with Cheese
This faux-pasta number is a bit of a stretch for me personally, but I know folks who absolutely adore it. I think it’s just the novelty of eating stringy bologna, but they swear it’s incredible.
If you’re into bologna, cheese, and pickles, you’ll probably think it’s pretty great. You try it first and let me know, okay?
13. Fried Bologna and Egg Sandwich
This sandwich reminds me of a bacon, egg, and cheese toaster, but with fried bologna stepping in for the bacon and a whole lot more garlic. The flavor’s a little different, but just as delicious. It’s cheesy, salty, with a bit of crunch, and that garlic punch makes it extra yummy.
14. Fried Bologna Sandwich With & Onion
This rich, sloppy sandwich might look like a heartburn disaster waiting to happen, but trust me, it’s really good. And it’s so quick and easy for a convenient lunch.
With just five ingredients: garlic bologna, onions, ciabatta or rye bread, olive oil, and ketchup. You’re in business. Salt and pepper to taste.
15. Ground Bologna Spread with Pickles & Onions
Think of this as monkey meat’s next-level cousin. It’s the same idea, but you’ll fold in some onions too, which gives the spread a more earthy, rich flavor that’s even tastier.
16. Vegan Baloney (Bologna)
I’m just going to be straight with you: vegan bologna does not taste like bologna. It just doesn’t.
But it does taste remarkably good, especially if you fry it up. If you’re a die-hard bologna lover, it probably won’t scratch that itch. But if you’re into plant-based eats with loads of herbs and spices, you might actually prefer it.
17. Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad
You’ve done egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad… so why not bologna salad? With fewer than 10 ingredients, this spread is cool, tangy, and so yummy.
Pile it on crackers or tuck it between two slices of bread. It comes together in just 20 minutes and tastes ridiculously good.
18. Fried Bologna Sandwich
Okay, I’m starting with this classic, because a good old fried bologna sandwich is always a winner. Honestly, you might not need anything beyond bologna, bread, and a little butter to fry it in. The secret to that perfect golden, crispy edge comes down to how you slice the meat.
19. Homemade Coal Region Hot Bologna
To make this hot, pickled Coal Region bologna, you just need bologna, red pepper flakes, salt, white vinegar, and water. Throw in some hot sauce if you’re after extra heat. It’s unbelievably easy, and I highly suggest you give it a go.
20. Monkey Meat
Monkey meat is bologna salad stripped to its essentials: bologna, mayo, and baby dill pickles. Chuck the solids in a food processor to dice them, stir in the mayo, and you’re done. Fifteen minutes, tops, and you’ve got a fun, pickle-flecked spread.
21. Ham Salad Recipe with Bologna Option
I’m wrapping up with one last bologna salad. If you prefer yours chunkier and not quite so smooth and creamy, this recipe is for you. It still has bologna, celery, eggs, and all that goodness, but it’s thicker and denser in the best way.
22. Smoked Bologna
Four ingredients and your smoker are all you need for this sweet, smoky bologna with a whisper of tang. Yes, it takes a little time, but the flavor you get is so worth it.
Every bite is savory and succulent. Pile it on a bun with your favorite condiments, or just eat it straight off the plate. It’s that good.
23. Gourmet Fried Bologna Sandwich Recipe
Personally, I’m all about thin-sliced bologna because it gives you those dark, ultra-crunchy edges I just live for. That’s why this gourmet fried bologna sandwich is hands-down my favorite on the list. And let’s be real, the sharp white cheddar and garlic butter definitely don’t hurt either.