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.
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.
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.
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!
Memphis Smoked Bologna Sandwich
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
Nutrition
Try these finger-licking-good BBQ recipes
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.
Recipe Tara Teaspoon. Photograph Romulo Yanes. Food Stylist Victoria Granof. Prop Stylist Cindy Diprima. Originally published LHJ July 2011
Casey the College Celiac says
Talk about a sandwich that is totallly drool-worthy!
Lauren says
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.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
This looks so yummy and flavorful! I'm going to have to try it!
Jennifer Maune says
The special rub sounds amazing! And this looks pretty good for being "just" bologna!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This sandwich is completely new to me and it looks absolutely delicious!!
Luci says
This sounds so tasty. Smoking bologna gives it a different flavor.
Jennifer says
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!
Tara says
Throwback! I hope you enjoy!
Bianca says
Now if my mom had put this in my lunchbox growing up, I may like bologna today.
Tara says
Haha exactly! This is delicious
Luda says
Oh my goodness, this looks so delicious! I'll have to bookmark and try it for our next outdoor picnic 🙂
Berniedette | petiteandtoned.com says
I'm taking a late lunch and you're absolutely making me hungry!!!!!!
xoxo,
Berniedette | PetiteAndToned.com
Dani says
Wow what a gorgeous and mouth watering picture. Have to book mark this one. Prep time isn't bad at all either.
Indrani says
Ooooh... so tempting. The perspective of the pic has made it more tempting.
Love the layers.
Mozelle Lacdan says
This looks so delicious! Will definitely be trying this out soon!
Mary Bench says
Bologna was a childhood staple. Now a step up! Yum
Tavo says
Very yummy! I just finished eating my sandwich and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Toni says
This is so tasty and delicious! Everyone at my house loved it.
Michelle says
Gave this a try last night and it was so delicious! The rub was so flavourful!
Emily says
That’s a good looking sandwich right there! Love the combo of smoked bologna and coleslaw.
Emily Flint says
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!