A close-up of a sandwich with melted cheese, bacon, potato chips, and barbecue sauce on bread, served on a white plate.

Fried Bologna Sandwich

Author

  • A smiling man makes a rock on hand gesture at a concert, with the word PANTERA displayed in burning letters on a large screen behind him. Bright stage lights and equipment are visible in the background.

    Down.rightdelicious (Drew Garland) is a 28-year-old content creator with Down syndrome who shares cooking recipes on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, focusing on comfort foods like smash burgers, along with his own BBQ sauces and spices ("Drew's Dust" and "Drew's Drizzle"). Known for his catchphrase "wash my damn hands," he promotes inclusion and advises others to pursue their dreams.

A close up of food.

There’s something truly special about a Fried Bologna Sandwich that just hits the spot. I mean, it’s like a warm hug on a plate, right? Whether you’re a kid at heart or just someone who appreciates the simple joys of life, this sandwich brings back nostalgic vibes while being incredibly satisfying to eat.

So, let’s talk about why this recipe is one you definitely want in your back pocket. First off, it’s ridiculously easy to whip up-perfect for when you’re craving something quick but don’t want to compromise on flavor. Plus, that combination of crispy bologna, gooey cheese, and sweet caramelized onions?

Trust me, it’s a flavor bomb you won’t forget. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love the crunch of BBQ chips smushed in there for good measure?

Now, if you’re ready to dive into the world of fried bologna goodness, let’s break down what you’ll need and how to make this gem of a sandwich shine.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The Fried Bologna Sandwich is not just a meal; it’s an experience. First off, it’s a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on flavor. You can easily throw this together with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser-these sandwiches disappear faster than a cold beer in July!

And let’s not forget about the versatility. You can customize it however you like; add some jalapeños for a spicy kick or switch up the cheese if you’re feeling adventurous. Every bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors, from the crispy edges of the bologna to the sweet richness of the caramelized onions.

It’s comfort food at its finest.

Ingredients & Tools You'll Need

To get started on this Fried Bologna Sandwich, you’ll need a handful of ingredients that pack a punch. First, grab some thick slices of bologna-you want them hearty enough to fry up nicely. A yellow onion, sliced thin, is a must for that sweet, caramelized goodness.

A close-up of a sandwich topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon, potato chips, and drizzled with barbecue sauce, served on a white plate.

Now, let’s talk cooking fat. I swear by Bacon Up, a cooking fat that adds a delightful smoky flavor to your onions and bologna. You’ll also want some salt and cracked black pepper to season everything just right.

Of course, no bologna sandwich is complete without American cheese-get that gooey cheese pull, you know? And don’t skip on the soft white sandwich bread; it’s the perfect vehicle for all that deliciousness. Finally, BBQ potato chips and Melinda's Hot Honey will elevate this dish to a whole new level of yum.

How To Make It

Making a Fried Bologna Sandwich is a breeze, and I’ll walk you through it step by step. We’re talking about layers of flavor and a bit of technique, but don’t worry-it’s all pretty straightforward. Just follow along, and you’ll have a plateful of deliciousness in no time!

Preparation

First things first, wash your damn hands! Seriously, let’s keep it clean as we dive into this culinary adventure. Start by slicing your onion thinly; you want those rings to caramelize beautifully.

Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add about a tablespoon of Bacon Up, letting it melt into a lovely pool of flavor.

Once that’s sizzling, toss in the sliced onions along with a pinch of salt. Cook them for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re deep golden and jammy. That’s when the magic happens!

Season with a little black pepper before setting them aside to make room for the star of the show.

Cooking

Now, let’s crank up the heat! Turn your skillet up to medium-high and add a bit more Bacon Up if the pan looks dry. Lay those bologna slices in, making sure to cut a small slit in the edge so they don’t curl up on you.

Fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they’re beautifully browned with crispy edges.

A close-up of a persons hand pressing down on a sandwich filled with bacon, melted cheese, and sauce, on a white plate.

While that’s happening, don’t forget to crack some black pepper over the top. Once the bologna is done, lower the heat slightly and place your American cheese slices on top of the hot bologna. Cover the pan for about 30-60 seconds until the cheese is perfectly melted.

Yes, please!

Now it’s time to build your sandwich. If you want extra flavor (and who doesn’t?), lightly toast the white bread in the same pan. Layer it up with your crispy bologna, a generous pile of those caramelized onions, and don’t forget to crush some BBQ chips on top-embrace the mess!

Drizzle Melinda's Hot Honey over everything before capping it off with the top slice of bread.

Serving & Variations

Once your sandwich is assembled, gently press it together to meld all those flavors. You can serve it with a side of pickles or extra BBQ chips for crunch. If you want to elevate your sandwich game, throw in some sliced jalapeños or swap the American cheese for pepper jack.

Slices of fried bologna topped with grilled onions and melted yellow cheese, cooking on a skillet. The cheese is slightly melted over the onions and bologna, giving a glossy appearance.

You can also make this ahead of time-just store the components separately in the fridge and assemble when you’re ready to eat. And trust me, leftovers (if you have any) make for a killer breakfast the next day!

Wrapping Up

There you have it, folks-your new favorite Fried Bologna Sandwich that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe arsenal. It’s quick, delicious, and just downright fun to eat. So next time you’re looking for a simple yet satisfying meal, remember this gem.

An open-faced sandwich on white bread topped with grilled onions, cooked meat, and melted yellow cheese sits on a white plate with a second slice of plain bread beside it.

Recipe created by down.rightdelicious for Trust Me Try It.

A close-up of a sandwich with melted cheese, bacon, potato chips, and barbecue sauce on bread, served on a white plate.

Fried Bologna Sandwich

Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients

  • Thick slices of bologna
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced thin
  • Bacon Up cooking fat
  • Salt & cracked black pepper
  • American cheese
  • Soft white sandwich bread, fresh
  • BBQ potato chips, lightly crushed by hand
  • Melinda’s Hot Honey

Instructions

  • WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS!
  • Caramelize the onions Heat a skillet over medium-low heat
  • Add 1 tbsp Bacon Up, let it melt
  • Toss in sliced onions with a pinch of salt
  • Cook 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and jammy
  • Season lightly with black pepper
  • Remove and set aside
  • Fry the bologna Turn heat up to medium-high
  • Add a little more Bacon Up if the pan’s dry
  • Lay in the bologna slices (cut a small slit in the edge so they don’t curl)
  • Fry 2–3 minutes per side until browned and crispy around the edges
  • Crack some black pepper over the top while it cooks
  • Melt the cheese Lower heat slightly
  • Place American cheese slices on the hot bologna
  • Cover the pan for 30–60 seconds until perfectly melted
  • Build the sandwich Toast the white bread lightly in the same pan if you want extra flavor (highly recommended)
  • Stack it up: Bread Cheesy fried bologna Pile of caramelized onions BBQ chips (crunch them in with your hands—embrace the mess) Melinda’s Hot Honey Top slice of bread
  • Press & crunch (optional but elite) Gently press the sandwich together

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