Oklahoma Prime Rib

Barbecue bologna is an Oklahoma game day specialty.

Southern Living Oklahoma Prime Rib sliced on a platter to serve
Photo:

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
4 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
16

Many Sooner State barbecues feature a unique, quite popular option: smoked bologna. A log of bologna is scored all over, coated with mustard to glue on a dry spice rub, and smoked for hours on the grill until permeated throughout with deep flavor and with an irresistible black, crispy bark on the exterior. You can either smoke it at your tailgate or do so the day before. Slice the log and serve the meat on sandwiches, as is, or as part of a larger Okie barbecue buffet. Note: You can ask at the deli counter for a large chunk (or log) of bologna.

Is Smoked Bologna an Oklahoma Thing?

The origins of smoked bologna are contested—Tulsa and Oklahoma City claim the fame—but it's no doubt that Sooner State barbecue restaurants likely came up with this creation. You'll find it at many tailgates and parties across the state during football season.

What Is Another Name for Barbecued Bologna?

Barbecued or smoked bologna is also called Oklahoma Prime Rib, a cheeky name for this humble food. In Tennessee, it's also known as Bologna Round Steak or Redneck Round Steak.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. hickory wood chunks

  • Canola oil

  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder

  • 1 Tbsp. brown sugar

  • 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

  • 1 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1 tsp. paprika

  • 1 (4-lb.) bologna roll 

  • 6 Tbsp. barbecue sauce, divided 

Directions

  1. Prepare grill:

    Light charcoal chimney starter filled with briquettes. When briquettes are covered with gray ash, pour them onto bottom grate of grill, and push to 1 side of grill. Scatter wood chunks over hot coals. Coat top grate with oil. Insert an instant-read thermometer into a vent in the lid. Burn down coals to maintain a temperature of 250°F.

  2. Prepare bologna:

    Combine chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and paprika in a small bowl. Score bologna by cutting 1/4-inch-deep slits lengthwise into loaf at 1-inch intervals. Cut 1/4-inch-deep slits crosswise around bologna at 1-inch intervals. Brush 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce over all sides of bologna; sprinkle spice rub evenly over entire surface of bologna.

  3. Smoke bologna:

    Place bologna on oiled grates over the side without the coals. Grill, covered, for 3 hours, adding more coals and wood chunks as needed to maintain heat and smoke.

  4. Finish bologna:

    Brush remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce over all sides of bologna; grill, covered, for 1 additional hour.

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