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Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient BBQ Bologna

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Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient BBQ Bologna

 

This Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient BBQ Bologna is one of the easiest comfort food recipes you’ll ever make. Thick slices of bologna are slow-cooked in a rich, smoky barbecue sauce until they’re tender, juicy, and coated in a sweet and savory glaze. The slow cooker allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a delicious dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights, game day parties, potlucks, or casual family dinners. With only three simple ingredients and almost no prep work, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Serve it on toasted buns for hearty BBQ bologna sandwiches, pile it over mashed potatoes, or enjoy it with coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad for a satisfying Southern-inspired meal. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for an inexpensive comfort food recipe, this slow cooker favorite is guaranteed to be a hit.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds thick-cut bologna, cut into bite-sized cubes or thick slices
  • 2 cups your favorite barbecue sauce
  • ½ cup grape jelly

Optional Garnishes

  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Sliced green onions
  • Cracked black pepper

For Serving (Optional)

  • Hamburger buns
  • Coleslaw
  • Pickles
  • Potato salad
  • Baked beans

Instructions

  1. Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Cut the bologna into thick cubes or large bite-sized pieces. If preferred, leave it in thick slices and score the edges slightly to help absorb the sauce.
  3. Place the bologna into the slow cooker in an even layer.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce and grape jelly until completely smooth.
  5. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the bologna, making sure every piece is coated.
  6. Gently stir to combine without breaking the bologna.
  7. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1½–2 hours.
  8. About halfway through cooking, gently stir the mixture to ensure even coating and caramelization.
  9. The sauce will become thick, glossy, and rich as it cooks while the bologna absorbs the sweet and smoky flavors.
  10. Taste and adjust by adding a little extra barbecue sauce if you prefer a saucier consistency.
  11. Once heated through and beautifully glazed, turn the slow cooker to the Warm setting until ready to serve.
  12. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
  13. Serve hot as an appetizer with toothpicks, over mashed potatoes, or piled onto toasted sandwich buns with coleslaw and pickles.

Tips, Notes & Q&A

Can I use a different type of barbecue sauce?
Absolutely! Sweet, smoky, honey, spicy, or hickory barbecue sauces all work wonderfully. Choose your favorite brand to customize the flavor.
Why add grape jelly?
The grape jelly melts into the barbecue sauce, creating a rich, glossy glaze with the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.
Can I make this spicy?
Yes! Stir in a teaspoon of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Can I prepare it ahead of time?
Definitely. Combine the ingredients in the slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, place the insert into the slow cooker and cook as directed.
Storage Tips

  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container.
  • Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the slow cooker on the Warm setting until heated through.

Servings & Nutrition

Servings: 8
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving):

  • Calories: 340
  • Protein: 13g
  • Carbohydrates: 21g
  • Fat: 21g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Sugar: 17g
  • Sodium: 980mg
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

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