Barbecue bologna

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Barbecue bologna
Barbecue bologna sandwich
TypeSmoked meat
CourseMain course, appetizer
Place of originOklahoma, US
Associated cuisineCuisine of the Southern United States
Main ingredientsBologna

Barbecue bologna or smoked bologna is a barbecue dish from the US state of Oklahoma. It has been nicknamed Oklahoma tenderloin, Oklahoma prime rib, or Oklahoma steak. It is also sometimes served in Tennessee and Texas.

Description[edit]

Smoked chicken and bologna on the grill

The dish is prepared by smoking a tube, or "chub", of bologna sausage, typically over pecan wood. The outside of the bologna is scored in a square or diamond pattern before smoking, allowing the smoke to penetrate and flavor the meat.[1][2] The sausage may be coated with apple juice during the smoking process to keep it moist.[3]

The bologna may be made of beef, pork, chicken, or any combination of those meats.[4] Sometimes the meat is seasoned before smoking.[5][6] Sweet spice rubs are preferred because of the natural saltiness and high nitrate content of the bologna.[2] Slices of smoked bologna are often grilled before consumption,[7][8] and then dressed in a tomato and mustard-based barbecue sauce.[1][9]

Barbecue is typically eaten as a sandwich on a bun or white bread,[5][10][11][12] sometimes in combination with other barbecue meats. It is also a component of a barbecue platter.[7]

History[edit]

Barbecue bologna was created in Oklahoma. It is hypothesized to have become popular because of bologna sausage's low price in comparison to other popular barbecue meats. The dish has been nicknamed Oklahoma tenderloin, Oklahoma prime rib, and Oklahoma steak.[1] Barbecue bologna's city of origin is debated, but is often credited to barbecue restaurants in either Tulsa or Oklahoma City.[5] The dish is considered to be a staple of Oklahoma barbecue.[7][2] Food Network Magazine named the smoked bologna sandwich as the sandwich that represented the state of Oklahoma in 2012.[8][13]

Smoked bologna is also commonly served in Tennessee as part of Memphis-style barbecue.[11][14] During the 2010s, it began to be served in Texas restaurants as well, despite not being a traditional part of Texas barbecue.[15][16][17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Tomky, Naomi (October 10, 2019). "Why Smoked Bologna Is the Secret Star of Oklahoma Barbecue". Saveur. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Blount, Chuck (April 19, 2021). "How to make smoked bologna, a staple of Oklahoma BBQ". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Blount, Chuck (April 19, 2021). "Recipe: Smoked bologna". San Antonio Express-News.
  4. ^ "Smoked Bologna Sausage | Traditional Sausage From Oklahoma | TasteAtlas". www.tasteatlas.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Writer, NICOLE MARSHALL MIDDLETON World Scene (May 30, 2012). "Smoked bologna born in Oklahoma barbecue kitchens". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  6. ^ "Barbecued Bologna". Food Network. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Walker, Judy (July 18, 2017). "Barbecue bologna: Why my Okie craving deserves respect, not raised eyebrows". NOLA.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "A Bunch of Bologna". Oklahoma Today. June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "Smoked Bologna Recipe". Serious Eats. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Smoked bologna sandwich stands out in Oklahoma". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Kelley, McKenna (May 23, 2019). "Barbecue Road Trip: Southern Edition". Tampa Magazine. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  12. ^ "The return of the bologna sandwich: Dallas chefs serve up nostalgic joy". Dallas News. December 14, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  13. ^ Writer, NICOLE MARSHALL MIDDLETON World Scene (August 9, 2012). "Senators' Bologna at Jamil's OKC named must-try sandwich of Oklahoma". Tulsa World. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  14. ^ "Wood smoke lifts humble bologna sandwich to greatness". Chicago Tribune. July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  15. ^ Reid, J. C. (January 11, 2019). "Bologna graduates from the lunch box to the smoker". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  16. ^ Rallo, Nick. "Once Considered Deeply Uncool, the Bologna Sandwich Is Back in a Big Way". Dallas Observer. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  17. ^ Blount, Chuck (November 1, 2017). "The Esquire's house-made bologna sandwich leaps beyond childhood O-S-C-A-R memories". mySA. Retrieved July 7, 2023.