Football Friday: Smoked Bologna

Sometimes the simple things in the kitchen or on the smoker are the best. The Arkansas Test Kitchen was at church one Sunday, talking with the Pastor and the Sound Guy about smoking bologna. It was a new venture for the Test Kitchen, and to be honest something we had never considered. But after trying it over the Labor Day weekend, I am ready to smoke another 5 - 10 pounds: it was that good! The best thing is bologna is extremely versatile, and yields enough for meals later in the week.










Smoked Bologna

Tube Bologna (I used 5 lbs tubes)
BBQ Rub of your choice (if you want)








1. Set your smoker to indirect grilling
2. Score your tube of bologna in a diamond pattern
3. Rub in BBQ Rub (if you are using)
4. Place in smoker at 225ish degrees (hey it is a smoker, and not an oven- it can be difficult to hold at a constant temperature)
5. Allow to smoke for 2 - 3 hours.
6. I used oak wood for the smoke, and it created a fabulous flavor.
7. Slice and enjoy.

Alternate Suggestions:
After the initial smoking, people offered great suggestions to make this simple recipe even better- so I decided to add them here:

1. Core out the center of the bologna tube, and place a stick of cheese inside so that it will melt during the smoking process.
2. Add a BBQ sauce, mopping it on during the last 30 minutes of cooking:

BBQ Mop Sauce:
1 cup BBQ Sauce
1/4 cup Apple Juice
1 teaspoon BBQ Rub







Ways to eat bologna:


1. On white bread with mustard and cheese while it is still warm. OOOOOHHHHH- SO GOOD!!!
2. Slice it up and serve it with cheese and crackers
3. Slice it thinly, and place it into a skillet and brown on both sides
3. Once you are done smoking, slice it up and place in an aluminum pan with some BBQ Sauce.







Ok, we know we have given you many different ways to cook and serve this great meat. Bologna is kind of a nostalgic meal, because I remember hearing stories from my grandfather about going into a local grocery store where they would have tubes of bologna on the counter with crackers; and he would take his pocket knife out and cut a slice and eat while he was there doing business.


Now that you have plenty ideas of what to do with bologna, it's time for some Football Friday Picks!


Packers vs. Seahawks

Dad #1: Green Bay

Dad #2: Seattle


Saints vs. Falcons

Dad #1: New Orleans

Dad #2: New Orleans


Vikings vs. Rams

Dad #1: Minnesota

Dad #2: Minnesota


Steelers vs. Browns

Dad #1: Pittsburgh

Dad #2: Pittsburgh


Eagles vs. Jaguars

Dad #1: Philly

Dad #2: Philly


Raiders vs. Jets

Dad #1: New York

Dad #2: Oakland


Ravens vs. Bengals

Dad #1: Cincinnati

Dad #2: Baltimore


Bears vs. Bills

Dad #1: Chicago

Dad #2: Chicago


Redskins vs. Texans

Dad #1: Houston

Dad #2: Washington


Chiefs vs. Titans

Dad #1: KC

Dad #2: KC

Patriots vs. Dolphins

Dad #1: New England

Dad #2: New England


Buccs vs. Panthers

Dad #1: Carolina

Dad #2: Tampa Bay


49ers vs. Cowboys

Dad #1: San Francisco

Dad #2: San Francisco


Broncos vs. Colts

Dad #1: Denver

Dad #2: Denver

Lions vs. Giants

Dad #1: Detroit

Dad #2: Detroit


Chargers vs. Cardinals

Dad #1: Arizona

Dad #2: San Diego


Have a great weekend- may the odds be ever in your teams favor!


Stay Cool,
The Cool Dads Crew