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Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad

Section: Fresh and Vibrant Salad Recipes

This old-fashioned bologna blend combines finely minced bologna, hard-boiled egg, celery, and onion for a smooth yet textured base. Mixed with sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, and mustard, the spread is chilled to enhance flavors. It’s perfect served on bread, rolls, or crackers, evoking a nostalgic touch for lunch or gatherings. No special equipment required, as the ingredients can be hand-chopped or processed. This classic dish provides simple, comforting flavors for any casual meal or snack.

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A smiling chef holding a plate of food.
By Lina Lina
Last updated on Thu, 30 Oct 2025 22:03:11 GMT
A bowl of old-fashioned bologna salad. Bookmark
A bowl of old-fashioned bologna salad. | tinycakee.com

This Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad is a timeless comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, flavorful spread perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or biscuits. It’s a nostalgic recipe that brings back memories of family gatherings and easy lunches, making it a go-to dish for any occasion that calls for something familiar and satisfying.

I first made this salad after finding an old family recipe tucked away and was instantly hooked. It reminds me of childhood lunches and the way flavors meld together after sitting in the fridge for a few hours.

Ingredients

  • Bologna: the star ingredient, choose a good quality prepackaged or deli bologna for best flavor and texture
  • Hard-boiled eggs: add richness and a subtle creamy bite, opt for eggs that are freshly boiled for optimal taste
  • Celery and onion: finely minced for a nice crunch without overpowering, using a food processor helps achieve the perfect texture
  • Sweet pickle relish: adds a mild sweetness and tang, homemade or store-bought both work great you can substitute with dill pickle relish or leave it out if preferred
  • Mayonnaise: the creamy binder, choose a good quality mayonnaise, taste-tested recipes avoid Miracle Whip for its distinct flavor
  • Yellow mustard: adds background flavor without too much tang, best to use a smooth prepared mustard
  • Salt and pepper: to your taste, these seasonings round out the flavors nicely

Instructions

Sift and Prepare Ingredients:
Ensure all ingredients are ready for processing. Peel and hard boil the eggs, chop celery and onion into manageable pieces if doing by hand or for easier blending.
Combine Meats and Vegetables:
Place the bologna, hard-boiled egg, celery, and onion in a food processor or blender. Add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Pulse several short bursts to finely mince without pureeing. Stop and scrape down sides every 10 pulses to ensure uniform texture. Adjust pulse frequency for chunkier or smoother salad depending on preference.
Mix the Dressing:
In a separate bowl, stir together the sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, and yellow mustard until fully blended and smooth.
Incorporate Minced Bologna Mixture:
Add the finely chopped bologna mixture to the bowl with the dressing. Stir gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined, creating a creamy and flavorful salad.
Chill to Enhance Flavor:
Transfer the salad to an airtight container or cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours before serving to let the flavors meld together beautifully.
Serve and Enjoy:
This salad is wonderful spread on soft rolls, biscuits, or as a dip on your favorite crackers. It pairs well with simple sides like fresh veggies or chips for an easy snack or meal.
A sandwich with eggs and meat on a wooden table.
A sandwich with eggs and meat on a wooden table. | tinycakee.com

I particularly love using sweet pickle relish as it brings a subtle sweetness that balances the savory bologna without overwhelming the palate. One of my fondest memories is making this salad at my grandmother’s house and sneaking some before lunch was ready, it’s just that irresistible.

Storage Tips

Store your Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last well for about four to five days but make sure to keep it chilled to maintain freshness. Stir lightly before serving if it has been sitting for a while.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you prefer, you can swap sweet pickle relish for dill pickle relish or omit it entirely. Using deli-sliced ham instead of bologna can change the flavor profile while keeping the texture similar. For a lighter version, try mixing half mayonnaise and half Greek yogurt.

Serving Suggestions

Spread this salad thick on freshly sliced white bread, toast, or biscuits. It’s excellent with crackers like Ritz for a nostalgic snack. It also makes a great filling for tortilla pinwheels or wraps for party appetizers.

A bowl of old-fashioned bologna salad with crackers.
A bowl of old-fashioned bologna salad with crackers. | tinycakee.com

This Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad is best after a few hours of chilling to let the flavors meld. Serve it on bread or crackers for a simple, comforting snack.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What type of bologna works best?

Prepackaged or deli-cut bologna in thick or thin slices can be used, totaling about 1 1/2 pounds. The slices don't need to be separated individually.

→ Is a food processor necessary?

No, fine chopping by hand or using a blender works as well, though a food processor makes mincing faster and more even.

→ How can I serve this bologna blend?

Serve it on crackers, soft rolls, biscuits, or as sandwich filling. It can also be rolled into tortillas for pinwheels.

→ Can I skip the sweet pickle relish?

Yes, you may omit it or substitute dill pickle relish according to taste preferences.

→ How long does the chilled blend keep?

Stored airtight in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for 4-5 days. Freezing is not recommended to maintain texture.

Old-Fashioned Bologna Salad

A creamy mix of bologna, egg, celery, and relish perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or rolls.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cooking Time
~
Total Time
15 minutes
By Lina: Lina

Recipe Category: Salads

Skill Level: Great for Beginners

Cuisine Type: American

Makes: 8 Portion Count (Approximately 8 servings)

Dietary Options: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

What You’ll Need

→ Meat

01 1.5 pounds sliced bologna

→ Produce

02 2 hard-boiled eggs
03 0.5 cup finely chopped celery
04 0.5 cup finely chopped onion

→ Condiments

05 0.25 cup sweet pickle relish
06 0.5 cup mayonnaise
07 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

→ Seasoning

08 Salt, to taste
09 Black pepper, to taste

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Place bologna, hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and a pinch of black pepper into a food processor or blender.

Step 02

Pulse the ingredients in short bursts until finely minced, scraping down the sides every 10 pulses to ensure even consistency.

Step 03

In a separate bowl, combine sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, and yellow mustard, whisking until smooth.

Step 04

Fold the minced bologna mixture into the bowl with condiments, stirring thoroughly to combine.

Step 05

Cover and refrigerate for several hours to allow flavors to meld.

Step 06

Serve chilled on crackers, soft rolls, biscuits, or bread as desired.

Helpful Hints

  1. Finely chopping the celery and onion improves texture and prevents large chunks in the salad.
  2. Chilling enhances flavor blending, making the salad more savory.
  3. The recipe can be adapted by substituting dill pickle relish or omitting relish altogether.
  4. Avoid freezing due to mayonnaise separation upon thawing.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Food processor or blender
  • Mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Review ingredient labels for allergens, and consult a healthcare provider if in doubt.
  • Contains egg and mayonnaise which may include soy or other allergens depending on brand.

Nutritional Details (Per Portion)

Use this nutritional summary as a guide – it's not a substitute for professional advice.
  • Calories: 210
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
  • Proteins: 7 g