Our Bologna Burnt Ends are quick, easy, and made with two things we’ll never get tired of: BBQ and bologna. We love this recipe because it takes a simple childhood staple and turns it into something that tastes like those BBQ brisket burnt ends that every grill master loves.
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Recipe Highlights
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 2 hours
- 🍴 Serves: 6
- 👩🏽🍳 Difficulty: Easy
- 🎯 End Result: Smoky, sweet, sticky bologna burnt ends with caramelized edges and BBQ flavor
I was craving burnt ends and BBQ bologna, but didn’t feel like making both, so I figured… why not combine them? And that’s how this recipe was born.
It came together fast and was perfect for football Sunday. With college bowl games and the Super Bowl coming up, trust us, this one’s gonna be a crowd favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Bologna Burnt Ends Recipe
- Budget-friendly comfort food: Bologna chubs are affordable and easy to find at just about any grocery store, making this a perfect recipe when you want BBQ flavor without spending brisket money.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd: One chub goes a long way. Whether you’re cooking for family, game day, or a backyard get-together, this recipe feeds several people and stretches easily.
- Smoker-friendly and quick: You get that slow-smoked BBQ flavor in under 2 hours, which is perfect when you want something delicious without committing all day to the smoker.
What Are Bologna Burnt Ends?
Growing up in Memphis and spending summers in Mississippi, bologna was always a thing at local BBQ joints. It wasn’t fancy, but it was good. I still remember going fishing or to horse shows and my granddad stopping to grab us BBQ bologna sandwiches. And listen… those sandwiches were legit. One would keep you full half the day.
The bologna was sliced thick, at least an inch, seasoned with BBQ rub, grilled or smoked, then slathered in sauce. It came stacked on Wonder Bread or a burger bun, with pickles and onions on top. Wrapped in wax paper, dripping a little sauce, and always washed down with a cold Peach Faygo. Pure memories.
Ingredients
- Bologna: I like to use traditional-style bologna for this recipe, but beef bologna works just as well. Look for a full chub so you can cut it into thick cubes.
- Yellow Mustard: This is a classic binder and helps the seasoning stick. You won’t taste it once everything is smoked.
- BBQ Sauce: A sweet and smoky BBQ sauce pairs perfectly with these burnt ends.
See the recipe card below for full information on the ingredients and quantities.
How to Smoke Bologna Burnt Ends
Step 1: Preheat smoker. Cut bologna into bite-size cubes.
Step 2: Slather with a thin layer of yellow mustard to act as a binder.
Step 3: Season with your favorite BBQ rub.
Step 4: Arrange cubes on a wire rack.
Step 5: Place rack on the smoker and smoke until the bologna is browned and slightly caramelized.
Step 6: Drizzle bologna with BBQ sauce.
Step 7: Return sauced bologna to the smoker and continue smoking until sticky and caramelized.
Step 8: Remove from the smoker and serve warm. Enjoy!
Cooking Tips
- Use a wire rack so the smoke can circulate evenly around the bologna cubes.
- Cut the bologna into even-sized cubes to help everything cook and caramelize at the same rate.
- Let the BBQ sauce set and get sticky during the second smoke instead of rushing it.
- These are best served hot off the smoker, but leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer.
What Goes Good With Burnt Ends
Bologna burnt ends can be paired with baked beans with hamburger meat, Southern potato salad, Salad Supreme pasta salad or any of these cookout recipes. Our Memphis Style BBQ Sauce goes great with these burnt ends too.
How to Reheat Bologna Burnt Ends
Reheat by pouring over more BBQ sauce and wrapping in aluminum foil. Place in the oven at 350℉ and cook until heated through.
Bologna Burnt Ends Recipe FAQs
Yes! The bologna can be cubed up and lightly seasoned prior to you cooking them. Place them on a wire rack lined sheet pan and refrigerate until ready to smoke.
Yes, bologna burnt ends can be vacuum sealed and frozen for up to 3 months after cooking.
Yes, I would recommend cubing the bologna and searing it before adding it to a slow cooker and add in the sauce.
More Smoker Ideas
Looking for more recipes to make on the smoker? Try these:
If you try these Bologna Burnt Ends or any other recipe on our blog, consider leaving us a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments!
📖 Recipe
Bologna Burnt Ends
Ingredients
- 3 pound bologna chub, whole
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ¼ cup BBQ seasoning
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat smoker or set up grill for indirect cooking to 250℉.
- Remove the casing from the bologa chub and cut into 1-2 inch cubes.
- Coat the cubes in yellow mustard and season with bbq rub, making sure to coat all sides.
- Place the bologna cubes on a wire rack and smoke about 1-1.5 hours or until the rub has started to brown and caramelize and 165℉ internal temperature.
- Remove the burnt ends from the smoker and place them in a large bowl. Pour in the bbq sauce and toss the burnt ends and fully coat them.
- Place the sauced burnt ends back on the smoker and cook until sauce is tacky, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the smoker and serve with more BBQ sauce.
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