Homemade Ground Bologna Sandwich Spread
Don’t you love ground bologna sandwiches? Growing up we used a meat grinder and they were good. When my husband came into the picture, he shared a secret ingredient his mom used to brighten up the color and I was surprised.
We make these old fashioned bologna salad sandwiches in small batches. We try to find the smallest package of ring bologna we can, so we can make 3-4 sandwiches.
This is a great sandwich spread to make for lunches. Make it larger batches for parties. You could also serve with butter crackers instead of sandwiches.
How does your family enjoy this sandwich spread? Do you call them ground bologna sandwiches, ham salad or bologna salad sandwiches?
Do You Need a Food Processor or Can You Use A Grinder?
You can use either one you have. We have an attachment from our Kitchen Aid, and it works well, we sometimes run the meat through the food processor twice to grind it up to the consistency we want. You can grind pickles up too if you don’t have relish, which is handy.
How Do You Eat This Sandwich Spread?
Enjoy this ground bologna on your favorite sandwich bread. You can also enjoy as a dip on Ritz crackers.
How Can you Enhance The Color of the Sandwich Spread?
Adding a packet of red powder drink mix, strawberry or cherry flavor enhances to color of the sandwich spread. This is something my husband’s mother did at the hospital cafeteria she worked at.
Can You Use Mayonnaise Instead of Salad Dressing?
You can, but it will totally change the taste of the sandwich spread. Do what you works for your tastes. You can also use salad dressing (Miracle Whip) instead of mayonnaise.
What Are Some Alternative Ways to Make This Bologna Spread?
You can adjust the ingredients to your taste.
- don’t like pickles or dill pickle relish as much, reduce the amount.
- use sweet pickles instead of dill pickles, reduce the amount or use sweet relish
- add shredded cheddar cheese or sliced cheese
- top with yellow mustard or dijon mustard
- chopped yellow onions or white onions
- pepper to taste
How Long Does the Sandwich Spread Last?
We only keep this for a week in the refrigerator. This is not something that we would freeze and serve later. The texture would not be pleasing and a bit mushy.
Ground Bologna Spread Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ring bologna
- 1 cup dill pickles
- 1 cup mayonaise
- 1 teaspoon strawberry/cherry jello this is optional and for coloring
Instructions
- Using your meat grinder, remove the casing from the ring bologna and grind the entire ring. We use a low profile bowl or plate.
- Grind the pickles next. If you do not have dill pickles, you can use relish instead.
- Move the mix into a larger bowl for mixing.
- Add the miracle whip and mix well.
- Add your optional red fruit drink mix for color and mix well.
- Serve on top of your favorite bread and enjoy.
- Leftovers should be refrigerated. If you are sending with someone for lunch, be sure you have an ice pack in their lunch bag.
Video
I loved this sandwich as a child and occasionally make now as an adult.
Sounds like wonderful memories!
A variation of this was my childhood favorite. My mother had a meat grinder and used ring bologna, gherkins, saltines and Miracle Whip. The saltines were a thrifty way to push any remaining meat thru the grinder at the end. I believe the recipe is German in origin and came to us thru my great-aunt’s husband’s German family. Possibly called Fleishsalat or something similar. I loved it as a child and still buy it occasionally from the deli at Kroger market.
I’m not sure of the origins, but it’s always interesting to hear of other variations on this sandwich spread. Thanks for sharing Joan.
Mom used to make this every summer and most of the grandkids loved it. Just a chunk of bologna, dill pickles and Miracle Whip. I love it!
That sounds like a perfect summer sandwich!
How much does a “ring bologna” weigh?
They vary, but around 1.25 pounds.
What I make is similar to this. I don’t use the drink mix and I grind the same amount of colby cheese as the meat I use.
I have not heard of using Colby cheese in it before. That would add some great flavor though!