Katie Lee Biegel’s Fried Bologna Sandwich Is a Crispy, Melty Bite of Nostalgia in 15 Minutes
Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most satisfying
If you grew up loving a fried bologna sandwich, you’re not alone. This simple, satisfying meal has been a lunchtime staple for generations, and everyone has their own version. But in our opinion, no one makes it quite like Katie Lee Biegel. The cookbook author and Food Network star puts her delicious spin on the old-school favorite, and the result is crispy, melty and packed with flavor. Best of all? It comes together in just 15 minutes with pantry staples you likely already have. Here’s how Biegel does it.
What is a fried bologna sandwich?
A fried bologna sandwich is a nostalgic dish, especially in the Midwest and the South, where it’s been a staple for decades. Traditionally, thick slices of bologna are pan-fried until golden and crisp around the edges, then stacked onto soft white bread with simple toppings like mustard, mayo or even a slice of cheese. Some versions keep it minimal, while others, like Biegel’s take, elevate it with extra flavor and crunch. No matter how you dress it up, this humble sandwich is all about comfort and simplicity.
What you’ll need
Like any sandwich, Biegel’s official recipe on Food Network doesn’t take much cooking to come together. In fact, you probably have all of these ingredients in your kitchen:
- 2 slices soft white sandwich bread, such as Wonder Bread
- Mayonnaise, for spreading
- Yellow mustard, for spreading
- 4 thin slices bologna (preferably nitrate-free and pork)
- Unsalted butter, for the skillet
- 2 slices American cheese
- 2 Tbs. chow chow (or relish of choice)
- ½ cup BBQ potato chips
- ½ cup shredded iceberg lettuce
How to make Katie Lee Biegel’s fried bologna sandwich
While this 15-minute recipe makes one sandwich, feel free to double (or triple) the recipe depending on how hungry your crowd is. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1. Perfectly fried bologna
Biegel starts with the star of the show: pork bologna. “I like the flavor that’s in it,” she explains. She makes a one-inch ‘x’ in the center of each slice to prevent curling, a simple trick that ensures even cooking.
Next, she greases a griddle pan or skillet over medium high heat with butter and lays down the bologna, letting it sizzle and develop a golden, crispy exterior.
Step 2. Mustard or mayo? Why not both?
While the bologna cooks, Biegel preps the sandwich base using classic soft white bread. The next step? A little condiment controversy. “There’s a lot of debate,” Biegel says. “Some people like to put mustard on their bologna sandwiches, other people like mayonnaise, so I’m doing both.” The combination gives the sandwich a creamy tang that balances the richness of the fried bologna. Spread one slice with mayonnaise and one with mustard.
Step 3. The meltiest cheese hack
Once the bologna gets flipped, it’s time for the cheese. She places slices of American cheese on top of each piece and uses her spatula to mush the cheese and bologna together, ensuring maximum meltiness. You can also stack the bologna before piling on the cheese and covering with an inverted bowl. This extra step makes the sandwich even gooier and more indulgent.
Step 4. Next-level crunch
Transfer the cheesy bologna to one of the slices of bread. Now for the fun part: texture! Biegel layers BBQ potato chips directly onto the sandwich for an unexpected crunch.
She follows that with shredded iceberg lettuce for a refreshing contrast and a scoop of Southern chow chow relish. “There’s a good amount of acid that’s gonna go great with that fat from the bologna,” she notes. Finally, she places the top slice of bread, smushes it down so the chips break, and declares, “West Virginia in the house!”
Storing and reheating a fried bologna sandwich
This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh while the bologna is crispy and the cheese is hot and melty. However, if you have leftovers, store the fried bologna separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet for a couple of minutes per side until heated through, then assemble your sandwich with fresh bread and toppings.
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