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    TaraTeaspoon » Cuisine » BBQ

    This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure.

    Published: by

    Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich
    Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich
    two memphis smoked bologna sandwiches pin image

    This Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich is a regional classic and you don't want to miss out. Top it with creamy coleslaw and you have yourself a Southern BBQ meal.


    two memphis smoked bologna sandwiches stacked on each other

    Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich, you ask?  Well, this is not the bologna sandwich recipe you might remember as a child!

    Employ some smoking wood chips, add my delicious Memphis BBQ Sauce, some coleslaw and you will be off to a great new taste sensation. Easy too!

    In this post, I'm sharing all of my top tips and tricks for making the best bologna sandwich. It starts with homemade smoked bologna, which is the key ingredient.

    Jump to:
    • How to Smoke Bologna
    • Tips for Making Smoked Bologna
    • Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich

    How to Smoke Bologna

    It all starts with the humble lunch meat, well and the city of Memphis. It's smoked whole, or cut into thick slices and smoked.

    I do the latter: slices, because I want a quicker preparation, and also I'm not really about to purchase an entire roll of bologna meat!

    Tip: A roll of bologna is called a chub, and is usually six or seven pounds. My recipe uses only about two pounds and serves six people!

    Memphis loves baby back ribs, pork shoulder smoked and chopped, and these grilled bologna sandwiches served with coleslaw and spicy sauce.

    The Chicago Tribune has a great article on smoked bologna sandwiches and a recipe for smoking an entire chub; but see my recipe below and you have these super amazing sammies on your plate in less than an hour.

    I smoke slices over indirect heat so they absorb the flavor of the smoke. Try hickory wood chips for the most authentic flavor. You can rub the slices with a BBQ rub if you want an extra bang of taste.

    My Terrific 10 Rub will do the trick. And I don't call for it, but you're welcome to throw the slices over direct heat for a minute in the end to get some charring.

    A smoked bologna sandwich topped with coleslaw and bbq sauce.

    How Long to Smoke Bologna

    I smoked the bologna for 12 to 15 minutes over indirect heat. I preheated my grill to 300ºF first.

    Some recipes say to smoke the bologna for a couple of hours, but keep in mind that we're only smoking about 2 pounds of meat here, not 7+ pounds worth.

    How to Serve Smoked Bologna

    The best way to serve this recipe is to make a smoked bologna sandwich. I used regular egg hamburger buns to make mine, but feel free to use soft white bread, Texas toast, or other buns if you like.

    The most typical are sliced white bread and hamburger buns. The soft texture and sweetness of the bread adds the perfect combo to these Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwiches.

    Can I Smoke Bologna Without a Smoker?

    Of course! Check out my tip in my Texas Beef Brisket post on how to cook and smoke with indirect heat using your regular gas or charcoal grill.

    Tips for Making Smoked Bologna

    At your deli, ask that bologna be cut into thick pieces by hand rather than on a slicer, or get a large piece to cut yourself.

    If the deli clerk is confused, just show them one of these amazing pictures. They will be blown away and wonder why they haven't been making these sandwiches for years!

    In my recipe, I kept the spiced sauce mild, so feel free to add heat if you like. Make whatever coleslaw is your favorite (or buy it so save prep time).

    More recipes like this:

    • BBQ Meatball Sandwich in Under and Hour
    • Dang Delicious Brisket Sandwich Recipe
    • Blackened Salmon Sliders
    • Mini Lamb Burgers

    Isn't summer the best! Be sure to use my Memphis BBQ Sauce on this terrific sandwich. How about a great dessert to complete the meal? Try my Clementine Almond Cookies!

    two memphis smoked bologna sandwich es

    Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich

    Tara Teaspoon
    This Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich is a regional classic you don't want to miss out on. Top it with creamy coleslaw and you have yourself a Southern BBQ meal.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine BBQ
    Servings 6
    Calories 651 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups wood chips soaked
    • 2 to 2½ lbs bologna, sliced thick 6 slices
    • ¾ cup Memphis BBQ Sauce
    • 1½ cups coleslaw
    • 6 soft buns or 12 slices bread

    Instructions
     

    • Heat grill to medium (300ºF) for indirect cooking with a drip pan under the grate and arrange smoker box or wood chips in grill. Arrange bologna slices over drip pan and cover grill. Cook, turning once 12 to 15 minutes, just to heat and get a smoky flavor
    • Brush with BBQ sauce and serve with coleslaw on buns. 

    Notes

    At your deli, ask that bologna be cut into thick pieces by hand rather than on a slicer, or get a large piece to cut yourself.
    If the deli clerk is confused, just show them one of these amazing pictures. They will be blown away and wonder why they haven't been making these sandwiches for years!
    In my recipe I kept the spiced sauce mild, so feel free to add heat if you like. Make whatever coleslaw is your favorite (or buy it so save prep time).
    I used regular egg hamburger buns, but feel free to use soft white bread, Texas toast, or other buns if you like.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 651kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 27gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 2036mgPotassium: 643mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 225IUVitamin C: 8.4mgCalcium: 222mgIron: 3.6mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

    Try these finger-licking-good BBQ recipes

    • Dang Delicious Slow Cooker Brisket Sandwiches
    • Memphis BBQ Sauce
    • Homemade BBQ Meatball Subs In Under An Hour
    • North Carolina Pulled Pork Recipe
    • Kansas City Style Ribs Recipe To Make On Your Grill
    • Terrific 10 Ingredient BBQ Rub From Your Pantry
    • BBQ Mop Sauce Recipe
    • Texas Beef Brisket with Spicy Sauce
    Tara in kitchen making salad

    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Recipe Tara Teaspoon. Photograph Romulo Yanes. Food Stylist Victoria Granof. Prop Stylist Cindy Diprima. Originally published LHJ July 2011

    « Easy Peach Tarts
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    Filed Under: BBQ, Grilling and Smoking, Sandwiches and Burgers Tagged With: bbq, bbq sandwich, Bologna, coleslaw, memphis

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Casey the College Celiac says

      August 09, 2018 at 5:35 pm

      Talk about a sandwich that is totallly drool-worthy!

      Reply
    2. Lauren says

      August 09, 2018 at 6:40 pm

      That sandwich is beautiful! My husband is a huge fan of bologna and he just got a smoker for his birthday. Will definitely be trying this out.

      Reply
    3. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

      August 09, 2018 at 6:57 pm

      This looks so yummy and flavorful! I'm going to have to try it!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer Maune says

      August 09, 2018 at 7:15 pm

      The special rub sounds amazing! And this looks pretty good for being "just" bologna!

      -Jennifer
      https://maunelegacy.com

      Reply
    5. Amy (Savory Moments) says

      August 09, 2018 at 8:23 pm

      This sandwich is completely new to me and it looks absolutely delicious!!

      Reply
    6. Luci says

      August 09, 2018 at 9:50 pm

      This sounds so tasty. Smoking bologna gives it a different flavor.

      Reply
    7. Jennifer says

      August 10, 2018 at 3:17 pm

      I have never heard of smoked bologna before, but have loved fried bologna for years! I will have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        August 29, 2018 at 3:32 pm

        Throwback! I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    8. Bianca says

      August 14, 2018 at 2:36 pm

      Now if my mom had put this in my lunchbox growing up, I may like bologna today.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        August 29, 2018 at 3:30 pm

        Haha exactly! This is delicious

        Reply
    9. Luda says

      August 14, 2018 at 4:06 pm

      Oh my goodness, this looks so delicious! I'll have to bookmark and try it for our next outdoor picnic 🙂

      Reply
    10. Berniedette | petiteandtoned.com says

      August 14, 2018 at 4:30 pm

      I'm taking a late lunch and you're absolutely making me hungry!!!!!!

      xoxo,

      Berniedette | PetiteAndToned.com

      Reply
    11. Dani says

      August 14, 2018 at 5:55 pm

      Wow what a gorgeous and mouth watering picture. Have to book mark this one. Prep time isn't bad at all either.

      Reply
    12. Indrani says

      August 15, 2018 at 3:52 am

      Ooooh... so tempting. The perspective of the pic has made it more tempting.
      Love the layers.

      Reply
    13. Mozelle Lacdan says

      August 15, 2018 at 1:51 pm

      This looks so delicious! Will definitely be trying this out soon!

      Reply
    14. Mary Bench says

      May 18, 2019 at 1:25 pm

      Bologna was a childhood staple. Now a step up! Yum

      Reply
    15. Tavo says

      September 27, 2021 at 10:37 am

      Very yummy! I just finished eating my sandwich and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    16. Toni says

      September 27, 2021 at 10:39 am

      This is so tasty and delicious! Everyone at my house loved it.

      Reply
    17. Michelle says

      September 27, 2021 at 10:41 am

      Gave this a try last night and it was so delicious! The rub was so flavourful!

      Reply
    18. Emily says

      September 27, 2021 at 11:15 am

      That’s a good looking sandwich right there! Love the combo of smoked bologna and coleslaw.

      Reply
    19. Emily Flint says

      September 27, 2021 at 11:20 am

      We just got a new smoker and I've been looking for unique recipes to try. I can't wait to make these bologna sandwiches!

      Reply

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