Food
Fact-checked

At DelightedCooking, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Bologna?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

One of the founding members of the luncheon meat family is an inexpensive spiced sausage known as bologna. It is a popular alternative to more expensive sliced meats such as roast beef, corned beef or smoked turkey. While bologna is often accused of being composed of "mystery meat," it is actually made from either beef, pork or a combination of both meats. Some higher-end products may contain more exotic meats such as veal, goat or even moose. Meat used in its production is generally ground to a fine paste before processing, then extruded into a natural or artificial casing.

The name does indeed come from the city of Bologna, Italy, although natives of that city would never order "bologna" themselves. The original recipe for the sausage called for scraps of beef or pork to be mixed with spices such as salt, pepper and garlic, then cooked and stuffed into natural casings made from animal intestines. Italian butchers still create such a sausage, but it is known as mortadella.

Bologna is a popular, inexpensive spiced sausage.
Bologna is a popular, inexpensive spiced sausage.

Bologna as we know it most likely arrived with Italian immigrants who set up meat shops in the lower east side of Manhattan to earn a living. Because this sausage could be made from less expensive cuts of meat, it became a popular item for working class families trying to provide a meat item for their families on fixed budgets. Sliced bologna sandwiches could be made in the morning and consumed several hours later without the need for refrigeration.

Bologna is commonly used in sandwiches.
Bologna is commonly used in sandwiches.

Cheaper processed meats such as bologna and hot dogs were not always embraced by the American public, however. Horror stories involving the unseemly world of meat processing lead to a governmental overhaul of the meat packing industry. By the beginning of the 20th century, most meat processing companies were in compliance with federal health and safety laws and consumer demand for processed lunch meats rose accordingly. Bologna became a staple food for many families during the Great Depression, and it continues to be a popular item today.

Bologna gets its name from the city of Bologna, Italy.
Bologna gets its name from the city of Bologna, Italy.

Bologna can be sliced thin for sandwiches, or thick for use on heartier foods such as biscuits. Some people prefer to pan fry thick slabs of it, which gives it a different taste and texture than the cold cut variety. Basic bologna can also be mixed with various spices to create flavorful varieties such as Cajun, spicy, garlic or barbecue. It may also be combined with cheeses or pickle relish or olives to form various "loaf" sandwich meats. Heartier sausage can also be strongly seasoned with garlic and pressed into a ring-shaped casing. Ring or trail bologna is a popular summer sausage in many regions of the country with Old World populations.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular DelightedCooking contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular DelightedCooking contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

GigaGold

Europe is famous for its unique custom of mixing and blending meats. Bologna and German variations on the mortadella are fine examples of this. European culture has thrived on the meat of cows and other livestock for millennia. Europe owes its prosperity to its livestock and fine animal-derived foods.

BigBloom

@Renegade

This term was probably introduced in Manhattan, with the immigration of many Italians there. It is possible that these Italians had a lack of credibility among the landed social classes of America in that day, and therefore their speech and lying was labeled as "bologna."

Renegade

@BostonIrish

"Baloney" can also mean false claims or lies which are meant to mislead or to make someone laugh. The reason behind why this food has come to describe falsehood is unclear. Perhaps it is because bologna was believed to contain false ingredients. Or maybe the English just liked the sound of the Italian word. Kind of like "hocus pocus," or similar terms heard in a mass.

BostonIrish

The confusing spelling of this word is a result of direct borrowing from Italian. In Italian, the "gn" combination makes a "ny" sound, much like the "ñ" in Spanish. This was difficult to pronounce for native English speakers, so we shortened it to make it sound like "Baloney."

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Bologna is a popular, inexpensive spiced sausage.
      By: ksena32
      Bologna is a popular, inexpensive spiced sausage.
    • Bologna is commonly used in sandwiches.
      By: Bert Folsom
      Bologna is commonly used in sandwiches.
    • Bologna gets its name from the city of Bologna, Italy.
      By: claudiozacc
      Bologna gets its name from the city of Bologna, Italy.
    • High-end bologna may contain moose meat.
      By: Roman Krochuk
      High-end bologna may contain moose meat.
    • Many people like to pair bologna with different cheeses for a snack.
      By: Anna Bobrowska
      Many people like to pair bologna with different cheeses for a snack.