How to Smoke Bologna on a Traeger (3 Easy Steps)

Bologna is one of the greatest sandwich meats. 

Versatile, easy, and great tasting.

However, smoking bologna adds another flavor element that takes the simple to spectacular. 

Few things taste better than a smoked bologna sandwich!

You won’t believe how something so easy can taste so great!

What is Bologna?

Bologna is a combination of meats such as beef, pork, veal, or chicken.

These are then combined with spices and encased in a sausage-like casing.

Think of it as a giant hot dog, with spices.

The distinctive flavor comes from additives.

Salt, black pepper, coriander, paprika, and celery seed are often used.

The ingredients are all mixed into a creamy, smooth paste and wrapped in a casing.

From there it’s cured or smoked to act as a preservative.

Bologna is popular as sandwich meat.  As it’s preserved, it can last the distance in the school lunch box.

Why Should I Smoke Bologna?

Smoking bologna gives it another layer of flavor, that’s just divine.

It’s super easy to do, and well worth the effort.

How to Smoke Bologna on a Pellet Grill

When it comes to smoking bologna, buying a whole chub is better. 

You can slice or dice it once it’s smoked.  You’ll also find it’s much more cost-effective this way.

Remove any of the outside wrapping or wax packaging.

Use the tip of a sharp knife to make cuts across the top of the bologna roll.

That way the seasonings and smoke can get right into the bologna meat, rather than sitting on the surface.

Once your smoker is sitting between 225-250°F, it’s time to put the roll on the grill grate.

From here, the cooking process will take about 3-4 hours.  

It’s all about the appearance here. 

Smoke until it has the color and texture you are happy with. 

Bologna is pre-cooked, so there is no perfect internal temperature to make it safe to consume.

If you do want to run on an internal temp, around 145°F is a good temp to aim for.

How to Season the Bologna

Sprinkle your seasoning rub on the meat, rather than rubbing it in.

Rubbing it in too aggressively will only rub it off the surface.

Season the meat on a baking tray.

Clean up will be much easier, as well as carrying it to the smoker grill.

When seasoning the bologna, use a sharp kitchen knife to cut slits across the top of the roll. You’ll be able to get the flavorings into the meat, and it will allow the smoke to penetrate further.

If you want to use your bologna for sliced meats, let it cool down overnight in the refrigerator first.

It’ll be much easier to cut into thin slices once the meat chills.

Can I Add Extra Flavors to the Smoked Bologna?

An easy way to add extra flavor to your smoked bologna is to brush it with a light coating of BBQ sauce or yellow mustard.

IIt’ll give you a nice earthy flavor that blends beautifully with the smoke from the wood pellet grill.

Sauce or mustard also acts as a binder, giving the dry seasonings something to stick to. 

Don’t be afraid to use mustard.  Once it’s smoked you will lose the strong mustard flavor.

If you are smoking the entire bologna, slice at regular intervals and brush in some sauce.

Cut into thick slices and coat with some bbq seasonings.  

What Can I Use Smoked Bologna For?

What can’t you use smoked bologna for!

It’s great as an appetizer, with a nice smoky cheese and pickles.

Let it cool, and slice it for sandwiches or wraps.

Even better, serve the bologna hot straight off the pellet grill! 

Which Wood Pellets Are the Best for Bologna?

Bologna isn’t on the grill for a long period of time so anything goes for wood pellets.

If you prefer a bold smoky flavor, use oak, hickory, or mesquite.

If your bologna is heavy on pork, you might like to stick to the sweeter flavor of apple wood or maple wood.

Try experimenting with different flavors and combinations.  You’ll come up with your own favorite in no time.

What’s the Best Way to Store Smoked Bologna?

Leftover bologna will need to be stored in the fridge. 

You’ll find it will last about 4-5 days if you store it in an airtight container.

If you want to store it for longer than that, the freezer is your best bet. 

Vacuum sealed, your smoked bologna will keep for up to 12 months.

How to Use Smoked Bologna?

This bologna is great served hot straight from the grill or sliced for sandwiches.

What You Need for Smoked Bolgona

1 roll of bologna, 3 to 5 pounds

1/4 cup yellow mustard

2 tablespoons of your favorite barbecue rub

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Step 1 – Prepare the Pellet Smoker

Preheat the pellet smoker to 225°F. (if you’re using a Traeger set for 225°F with super smoke setting on)

Load the hopper with your favorite flavor of wood pellet.

Step 2 – Prepare the Bologna Roll

Score along the top of the roll with 1/4-inch deep cuts to allow smoke penetration.

Coat the entire roll with yellow mustard

Mix the BBQ rub and brown sugar.

Sprinkle the rub mixture over the whole roll.

Step 3 – Smoke the Bologna

Place the bologna roll on the grill grates.  The middle rack is the best.

At the two and a half hour mark baste with bbq sauce.

Smoke for 3-4 hours, at 225°F, or until the exterior is dark brown and crispy.

Step 4 – Serve the Bologna

Remove the roll from the smoker.

Allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing to serve.

Enjoy!

Looking for More Traeger Recipes?

Looking for some of the most declious and best Traeger recipes for your cookout?

Ribeye Steak On A Traeger

Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork

Brisket Smoked on a Traeger

NY Strip on a Traeger

Smoked T Bone Steak

Bologna combined with delicious smoke flavor will give it a whole new lease on life.

Serve fresh from the grill, or as cold bologna slices on sandwiches for a lunchbox treat!

Smoke On!

Charlie

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