5 Ways To Make A Bologna Sandwich That Your Grown-Up Taste Buds Will Love

Bologna sandwiches, Lunchables, Hamburger Helper — what do all these foods have in common? They're all nostalgic meals that transport you back to the easier days of being a child. Nostalgia comes to bite everybody at some point. Even celebrity chef Martha Stewart's favorite snack is motivated by the strong feeling. But sometimes when you eat nostalgic foods, you find they don't taste as good as they did back in the day. It makes sense: The more food you try, the more elevated your taste buds become. And as an adult, it's normal to have experimented with more tastes than you did as a child. Thankfully, nostalgic foods can be reinvented into delicious adult meals.

Let's shine a light on the classic bologna sandwich that you may have regularly found in your school lunchbox. It typically consists of soft white bread, a few slices of bologna, a light spread of mayonnaise, and a slice of American cheese. If you were feeling fancy, maybe you'd add a drizzle of mustard. Unfortunately, that simple combination probably doesn't hit the same anymore. As an adult, you may find yourself craving a more complex flavor.

You don't have to give up on bologna just because you want a more flavorful meal. In fact, there are several ways to elevate a bologna sandwich. From simple swaps like adding a few toppings to more inventive ideas like making a salad, here are five ways to make your meal feel more grown-up.

Sometimes it's all in the texture. For a perfect example of why this is true, add fried bologna to your sandwiches for an upgraded dining experience. Once fried, the lunchmeat adopts a crispy texture, similar to bacon. Fried bologna sandwiches are a hit in the South as the frying process also enhances the sausage's signature taste. It brings out the salty and fatty flavors while adding a caramelized finish. The fried slices are typically served on white bread with cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you can take inspiration from a classic BLT and add lettuce and tomato. You could also use the fried bologna in a breakfast sandwich. While frying the meat is a rather easy way to elevate the classic meal, it can be a tricky process if you don't know how to properly prepare the slices to prevent curling. To avoid this sandwich faux pas, all you have to do is cut slices into your lunchmeat before heating. Otherwise, it will curl and puff up due to a lack of airflow.

You've heard of fried bologna, but what about glazed bologna? Add flavor and shine to the beloved cold cut by glazing it with a mixture of sauces and seasonings. You can use this simple technique on loaves or pre-sliced deli meat — all you have to do is brush the glaze on top of the bologna and then heat it. For loaves, cook them in a smoker or oven, whereas slices can be fried with glaze on the stove. 

Need inspiration for glaze options? Lather the salty meat in honey and sugar for a sweet taste, or you add Dijon mustard, chili oil, and paprika for a spicy kick. If you're up for a hot honey sauce, just combine flavors like honey and red pepper flakes. The options are endless.

The bigger the better! To make a sandwich that meets your adult expectations, make sure it's more than just a mere slice of lunchmeat and cheese. Instead, stack your sammie with multiple slices of bologna and cheese and try different fillings to create a more complex flavor profile. 

Now, you can always reach for the basics, such as shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, and pickle chips. Or you can get experimental with pickled onions and avocado. You can also add different spreads and seasonings or swap out the classic American cheese for a Swiss or cheddar. Like spice? Add Dijon mustard and a drizzle of sriracha. Craving something smokey? Reach for the BBQ sauce and mustard and top your sandwich off with juicy coleslaw. 

Fluffy, white Wonder bread is another food that falls into the nostalgia category. And depending on your taste buds, it might not hit the spot. Every once in a while, you may crave a slice of cheap, buttered toast that you could find in a diner. But when it comes to sandwiches, the bread is a big deal. Just think of Subway and the different options it has when it comes to their bread. 

Instantly elevate your bologna sandwiches by swapping out the soft bread for something more elegant. Grab a loaf of sourdough or ciabatta from your local bakery, or maybe reach for a pretzel bun for a distinct malty flavor. Perhaps ditch the signature bread loaf altogether and go with a tortilla to make a bologna wrap.

We're sure you've heard of egg salad and tuna salad, but what about bologna salad? With just a few added steps, the bologna salad is an elite twist on the classic lunchtime favorite that will leave your loved ones begging for the recipe. And it's actually pretty easy to make.

To make it, finely chop bologna, celery, and onion, and mix the ingredients with pickle relish, mayonnaise, and mustard. You can also add hard-boiled eggs to make a heartier filling. The combination can be chopped and mixed by hand or with a food processor. Once you're done, spoon the combo onto a salad or tortilla to make a delicious meal. Much like other mayo-based salads, the mixture can also be served on top of lettuce or with crackers.