Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad

This Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad is a nostalgic treat that has been a favorite in many households for decades. Perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or biscuits, it combines simple ingredients into a creamy, tangy spread that’s both comforting and satisfying. Whether for lunch, brunch, or a casual snack, this salad brings back memories of homemade goodness and quick satisfying bites.

I first made this recipe on a lazy Sunday afternoon and now it’s a staple for family picnics and gatherings. Everyone loves the creamy texture and the subtle tang from the mustard and pickle relish.

Ingredients

• Bologna: one and a half pounds gives the salad its savory base select a good quality deli or prepackaged bologna for best flavor
• Hardboiled eggs: add richness and a smooth texture peel well and chop finely before mixing
• Celery and onion: finely minced ensure a pleasant crunch avoid large chunks for a better mouthfeel using a food processor helps a lot here
• Sweet pickle relish: adds subtle sweetness and a hint of tang pick good quality relish or make your own for freshness
• Mayonnaise: provides creaminess I prefer regular mayonnaise over Miracle Whip for a less sweet taste
• Yellow mustard: adds a mild tang without overpowering start with a small amount and adjust to taste
• Salt and pepper: season to your liking enhancing the overall balance

Instructions

Scoop and Prepare Ingredients:

Start by peeling the hardboiled eggs and measuring out all ingredients. Cut the bologna into manageable chunks for easier processing.

Mince the Bologna Mixture:

Place the bologna chunks, eggs, celery, and onion into a food processor or blender. Add a sprinkle of fresh black pepper for seasoning. Use short, quick pulses to mince the ingredients. Stop every ten pulses to scrape down the sides and ensure an even mix. Continue pulsing until the mixture is finely minced but still has some texture according to your preference. If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop everything by hand keeping uniform small pieces.

Mix the Dressing:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, and yellow mustard until well combined. This creates a creamy, slightly tangy dressing that binds the salad beautifully.

Combine and Chill:

Fold the minced bologna mixture into the dressing until fully incorporated. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the salad for several hours. This chilling time lets the flavors meld and the texture improve. It tastes best after chilling overnight but can be served after a few hours if you’re in a hurry.

Serve and Enjoy:

Spoon the chilled salad onto soft rolls, biscuits, sliced bread, or spread over crackers. It also works well rolled into tortillas for a quick pinwheel appetizer. The creamy, flavorful mixture makes a perfect retro snack or light meal.

My favorite ingredient has to be the sweet pickle relish because it adds just the right amount of sweetness and tang to balance the richness of the bologna and mayo. This recipe always brings me back to family gatherings where my grandma would serve it on soft biscuits and everyone would gather around sharing stories.

Storage Tips

Store leftover salad in a tightly sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent odors from the fridge clinging to it. Keep chilled and consume within four to five days for best taste and safety, and avoid freezing due to texture degradation.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use dill pickle relish instead of sweet if you prefer a less sweet and more vinegary bite or leave out relish altogether for a milder spread. Swap yellow mustard with Dijon mustard for a sharper flavor or use stone ground mustard for texture. Try mixing in finely chopped pickles if you cannot find relish for a similar effect.

Serving Suggestions

Serve on soft white or wheat sandwich bread for a classic presentation. Offer with buttery crackers or Ritz crackers as a nostalgic snack, wrap in flour tortillas and slice into bite sized pinwheels for party appetizers, or add sliced tomato or lettuce inside a sandwich for freshness and contrast.

Chill the salad overnight for the best flavor and firmer texture. Serve chilled on soft rolls or crackers for a nostalgic, crowd pleasing bite.

Common Questions About Recipes

→ What type of bologna is best to use?

Prepackaged bologna like Oscar Meyer works well, whether thick or thin sliced. A deli chunk can also be minced to desired texture.

→ Is a food processor necessary to prepare it?

Not required but helpful. The mixture can be chopped finely by hand or blended in small batches for control over texture.

→ How should this mixture be served?

It pairs nicely with crackers, rolls, biscuits, or tortillas, making it versatile for snacks, sandwiches, or pinwheels.

→ Can I substitute sweet pickle relish?

Dill pickle relish can be used as an alternative, or the relish can be omitted altogether depending on taste preferences.

→ Can this mixture be frozen?

Freezing is not recommended as the mayonnaise may separate, affecting texture and flavor after thawing.