Bloomin’ onion, who? These BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites are the hot new appetizer in town. With just four simple ingredients, you’ll create a hearty, decadent snack sure to please a crowd. With my unique cutting technique, you get the right amount of crisp bark and gooey sauce in every bite.
This recipe is a beautiful addition to any game day charcuterie board. Serve it alone or with some crackers and cheese. Either way, you’re bound to have a winning time.
I love simple recipes, especially during football season. Who has time to spend hours in the kitchen when you can be cheering on your favorite team? These BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites require minimal prep work; even the sauce is mix and go!
The Ingredients
This simple recipe requires four ingredients, keeping it simple and sane. Keep in mind that you’ll likely have extra seasoning for the next delicious recipe.
- Bologna chubs. Bologna always has an air of nostalgia, but this recipe is all grown up. I used bologna chubs, which you can find at most butchers or well-stocked grocery stores. You want a thick cut of meat that won’t break apart under heat.
- Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Rub. This delicious rub was where it all began. Despite its name, it’s not overly sweet and has a hint of heat on the back end. It includes a fantastic blend of paprika, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic. Use it on Bloody Mary’s, ribs, or popcorn!
- Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce. If you like sweet BBQ sauces that tack up to perfection, grab a bottle of this one. I spent ten years tweaking this recipe, which was worth every second. Use it alone, or pair it with another sauce like we do in this recipe.
- Checkered Pig Competition Sauce. This sauce comes from a good buddy of mine. It’s a competition-grade sauce that BBQ enthusiasts all over the world crave. It’s a little sweet, a little tangy, and a little spicy. Use it to top your burgers, dip fries, sauce ribs, or in baked beans.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites can be found in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Pellet grill/smoker. I cooked this Smoked Cheeseburger Queso on the Traeger Ironwood XL. This pit is incredible because you can use it to grill or smoke. The Traeger Ironwood XL has many excellent features, like a pellet sensor, a super smoke button, and easy transportation.
You can’t go wrong with the Traeger Ironwood XL if you cook large quantities of food. It’s roomy without taking up your entire patio. Plus, it’s ultra-durable, lasting for years!
- Charcoal. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets. I love this brand because you get clean smoke with no fillers. It gives the steak a rich, deep flavor that tastes authentic. This charcoal burns hot and fast!
The Process for Making BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites
You can find a visual demonstration of this recipe in the video. For now, here’s a quick rundown of how I pulled these BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites together.
- Fire up the pit. I stoked the Traeger Ironwood XL with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets and fired it up to 275℉.
- Prep the bologna. To get things started, I removed the red ring from my bologna chubs. I cut about ⅔ way into the center of the bologna, so the meat was almost cut in half. I continued cutting horizontal lines into the bologna, then turned it and repeated the process vertically. Be sure to watch the video to learn my technique!
- Add seasoning. Once the bologna was cut, I sprinkled it with Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Rub. Pro tip: Roll the bologna in the excess seasoning to ensure every bite is covered.
- Start cooking. I set the BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites directly on the Traeger Ironwood XL grates and let it cook for 1 ½ hours.
- Make the sauce. To make my BBQ glaze, I mixed one part Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce and one part Checkered Pig Competition Sauce until smooth.
- Baste the meat. After 1 ½ hours, I removed the bologna chubs from the grill and placed them in a disposable pan. Then, I basted my BBQ glaze over the meat. Note: You don’t want to overload your BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites with sauce. Remember, you can always add more later!
- Finish and serve. I set the meat back on the Traeger Ironwood XL and let it tack up for another 45 minutes. My BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites had a total cook time of a little over 2 hours.
The Results
These BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites came off the grill looking picture-perfect. Going light on the sauce gave each bite just the right amount of crunch. You’d never guess how simple this recipe is! Try it and let me know what you think.
Serving Suggestions for BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites
Add these BBQ Bloomin’ Bologna Bites to your BBQ Charcuterie Board for an elevated presentation.
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 4 months.
Equipment and Tools
Traeger Ironwood XL, Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood pellets, disposable cutting board, Heath Riles Heat Resistant BBQ Gloves, metal sheet pan, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Silicone Brush, Victorinox Fribrox Pro Chef’s Knife.
