Fried Bologna Sandwich (Easy Recipe)

A Fried Bologna Sandwich is an Easy Recipe that comes together fast by frying bologna until browned and serving it on bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Classic comfort food that’s simple, delicious, and has been enjoyed for generations.

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Is Fried Bologna Sandwich a Southern Thing?

Bologna sandwiches are enjoyed by people all over, especially those in the South. It’s simple and inexpensive and has been enjoyed for generations. Bologna can be served for breakfast, but it’s commonly found in sandwiches for lunch. A fried bologna sandwich with a ripe summertime tomato will simply take me back to my childhood days after the first bite.

Bologna sandwich on a black plate with text overlay.

A Childhood Favorite

Bologna sandwiches were a childhood favorite, and they still are a favorite sandwich today. I prefer to keep them simple by serving the fried bologna slices between two pieces of white bread. In my house, we typically enjoy bologna with minimal condiments between two slices of bread. However, you are missing out if you’ve never tried a fried bologna sandwich. So the next time you are looking for a different kind of sandwich, try a bologna sandwich. It may become one of your new favorite sandwiches for lunch.

Ingredients Needed for this Fried Bologna Sandwich Recipe

This recipe only requires a few simple ingredients that are easily found in your local grocery store. See the recipe card below for more details.

Fried Bologna Sandwich Recipe Ingredients with text overlay.

White Bread – I typically use classic white bread for my sandwiches but use your favorite. For example, this sandwich would work for whole wheat bread, Texas toast, Sourdough bread, or even soft buns.

Bologna – Thick slices of bologna or thinly sliced- the choice is yours. I prefer thinly sliced bologna. It crisps up better around the edges.

Oil – A little cooking oil keeps the bologna from sticking to the pan and also helps to crisp up the edges.

Mayonnaise – Use your favorite brand.

Mustard – Yellow mustard is my favorite, but Dijon mustard will work nicely for these sandwiches. Spicy Brown mustard is also a good choice.

Fried bologna for breakfast is fabulous. Try it on an Easy 3 Ingredient Drop Biscuit.

How to Make Fried Bologna Sandwiches

There’s just something about biting into soft bread with crispy meat that is so satisfying. Although there is nothing wrong with a cold bologna sandwich, you just can’t beat a fried bologna sandwich.

This simple sandwich comes together fast on the stovetop and is excellent for any time of the day.

Classic fried bologna sandwich on white bread with mustard and mayonnaise. Text overlay.

To begin, I like to use a cast iron skillet or any non-stick skillet.

Add vegetable oil (or a pat of butter) to the skillet. Using a medium skillet, heat over medium high heat until hot.
Cut slits in the bologna and add to the hot skillet in a single layer. You will need to fry the bologna in batches depending on the size of your skillet.
Brown the meat on one side until golden brown, and then flip. There is no set time to cook bologna per side; it will only take a few minutes. You must watch closely and flip when you get the desired doneness.
Slather mustard and mayonnaise on both bread slices, and then add the fried bologna. I like to add 2 pieces of bologna to my sandwich. At this point, top with extras as desired.

How to Keep Bologna from Curling when Frying

Making small cuts or notches in your bologna will keep it from curling up in the pan. Also, doing this will allow you to have crispy edges.

Tips for Pan Frying Bologna

Cut slits in the edges of the bologna before frying.
Watch closely while frying to keep from burning.
Swap out vegetable oil for butter.
Toast each slice of bread if desired.

Frying bologna in a skillet with text overlay.

Ways to Enjoy Fried Bologna

Bologna is great as a sandwich.

Fried Bologna is fabulous with scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Fried, diced and served in a salad or as a pizza topping.

Serve with potato chips on the side or in the sandwich.

What Condiments Are Best On A Bologna Sandwich?

The choices are entirely up to you. Some of my favorites are:

Duke’s Mayonnaise (or your favorite)

Mustard- Spicy or Brown

Hot Sauce

Other Sandwich Toppings:

This is entirely up to you and your taste, but the choices are endless. I love to add potato chips to my sandwich. I like the added crunch and the salty taste with each bite. Here are a few suggestions.

Lettuce– crispy lettuce or even fresh spinach is a great addition.

Pickles– sliced or relish

Onions– yellow onion is my favorite, but red onion is also lovely.

Jalapenos– sliced fresh or pickled.

Cheese Slice – American Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, or Pepper Jack Cheese

Potato Chips– Regular, BBQ, or Pickle Flavor

Tomato Slices– a summertime ripe tomato is quite delicious on this sandwich.

Fried Green Tomatoes are so good on this sandwich. These tomatoes are also great for an appetizer or side dish.

Best Sides for Fried Bologna Sandwiches

Potato Chips

Potato Salad

Potato Wedges

Macaroni Salad

Enjoy your bologna sandwich with a few Spicy Pickled Eggs. These are great!

Classic Fried Bologna Sandwich on a plate with text overlay.

An easy dessert that’s cool and refreshing– Kool-Aid Pie. Only 4 ingredients needed!

FAQ’s

No, you do not have to fry your bologna. Bologna is already cooked, so you can eat it straight from the package if desired.

Yes. I like to buy a couple of packs and keep them in the freezer. These are great to have when you need a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Bologna is typically made with ground beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. The meat is mixed with spices and seasonings, turned into a large sausage shape, cooked, and smoked. It has a smooth texture and mild flavor. Bologna usually has a red casing around each slice and is removed when cooking.