National Bologna Day

🥪 Celebrate National Bologna Day: A Slice of Nostalgia and Comfort | Good Thyme Gal...

Every year on October 24th, Americans celebrate National Bologna Day, a food holiday that might make you smile, laugh, or even reminisce. For many of us, bologna was a childhood staple: tucked into lunchboxes, fried up in a skillet, or layered between slices of white bread with a swipe of mustard. It’s the sandwich meat that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and maybe that’s exactly what makes it so lovable.

Here at Good Thyme Gal, we’re all about finding joy in everyday foods and honoring the traditions that shaped our tables. National Bologna Day is a reminder that good food doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be shared, enjoyed, and made with heart.

🌭 The Humble History of Bologna

Bologna (pronounced baloney in true American fashion) traces its roots back to Mortadella, a finely ground pork sausage from Bologna, Italy. When Italian immigrants brought their recipes to the U.S., the affordable, mild-flavored version we know today became a working-class staple, a reliable, tasty protein that stretched budgets without sacrificing flavor.

By the mid-20th century, bologna sandwiches became a beloved part of American lunch culture, served in school cafeterias, factories, and family kitchens alike. It’s a food that tells the story of resilience and resourcefulness, values that deeply align with Good Thyme Gal’s mission to celebrate equitable, accessible cooking.

💕 Why National Bologna Day Aligns with Good Thyme Gal

At Good Thyme Gal, we believe that every ingredient, from the simplest pantry staple to the fanciest farm-to-table fare, deserves its moment in the spotlight. Bologna might not have the prestige of artisanal prosciutto, but it carries something far more meaningful: nostalgia, comfort, and community.

Here’s why this day fits our philosophy perfectly:

• 🌿 Equitable eats: Bologna is one of the most affordable and accessible proteins out there, reminding us that good food is for everyone.

• 🥪 Creative comfort: With a little imagination, even humble ingredients can become extraordinary.

• 💫 Connection through flavor: This day invites us to honor the foods that connect generations, bridging the past with today’s creative home cooking.

So, instead of laughing off bologna, let’s celebrate it for what it truly is: a symbol of comfort and culinary possibility.

🍳 Equitable Recipe: Grown-Up Fried Bologna Sandwich with Tangy Slaw

Serves: 2 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes

This elevated take on a classic brings the nostalgic charm of a fried bologna sandwich into modern, accessible cuisine. It’s affordable, quick to make, and absolutely satisfying.

Ingredients

• 4 slices bologna (beef, turkey, or plant-based)

• 2 brioche or whole grain sandwich buns

• 1 tablespoon butter or oil

• 2 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

• 1 cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• ½ teaspoon sugar

• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Make the slaw: In a small bowl, combine shredded cabbage, vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss and set aside.

2. Fry the bologna: Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add bologna slices and cook until the edges curl and brown slightly (about 1–2 minutes per side).

3. Toast and layer: Toast your sandwich buns in the same pan for extra flavor.

4. Build the sandwich: Mix mayo, mustard, and hot sauce, then spread on both sides of each bun. Add fried bologna, cheese, and a generous spoonful of tangy slaw.

5. Serve immediately ; warm, crispy, and full of flavor.

Good Thyme Gal Tip:Want to make it vegetarian? Swap the bologna for grilled tempeh or seitan slices. The result is equally comforting and kind to all budgets and diets.

🥄 Why National Bologna Day Matters

In a world of artisanal sandwiches and expensive deli meats, National Bologna Day reminds us that good food doesn’t have to be exclusive. It’s about celebrating what’s accessible, nostalgic, and meaningful, all values that Good Thyme Gal stands for.

Food holidays like this encourage us to slow down, smile, and savor the dishes that connect us to simpler times. Whether you’re enjoying a fried bologna sandwich for the first time in years or introducing it to your kids, you’re sharing a piece of culinary history, one that’s deliciously down-to-earth.

So this October 24th, grab a few slices of bologna, heat up the skillet, and celebrate the good thyme in life, one nostalgic bite at a time.