Casing Guide
Bologna can be smoked or cooked without smoke, sliced at the deli or sold as a ring, and each calls for a different casing. This guide compares fibrous, plastic, collagen, and natural beef casings for bologna.
For deli bologna, the two standard choices are fibrous casings, which allow smoke and are used for large diameter deli chubs and Lebanon bologna, and plastic casings, which are a barrier casing for cooked bologna that does not need smoke. For ring bologna, natural beef rounds are the traditional choice and large caliber collagen is a peelable alternative.
| Casing | Edible? | Size range | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibrous | No, removed before eating | 38+ sizes, up to large deli formats | Large diameter bologna, deli chubs, Lebanon bologna, venison bologna | Smoke permeable, strong and dimensionally stable. Clear, mahogany, and red |
| Plastic | No, removed before eating | 30 to 160 mm | Bologna, chicken bologna, luncheon meat, mortadella | 5 layer PA/PE barrier casing. Thermoshrinkable. Not for products that need smoke |
| Large caliber collagen | No, peeled off | 35 to 134 mm | Ring bologna and other large cooked and smoked sausages | Seamless, traditional appearance, good peelability |
| Natural beef rounds | Yes | Typically 36 to 46+ mm | Ring bologna | Traditional natural curve and appearance |
| Natural beef middles | Yes | Typically 60 to 65+ mm for bologna | Large bologna and Lebanon bologna | Traditional natural look. Soak before stuffing |
Availability changes and not every size is stocked at all times. Call 201-939-3335 to confirm current stock.
The deciding question is smoke. If your bologna is smoked, choose fibrous, which lets smoke and color through. If your bologna is cooked without smoke and you want a tight, smooth, unwrinkled surface with strong moisture and oxygen barrier, choose plastic.
💡 Plastic casings rely on the cold shower after cooking to stay tight. Cool the product quickly and the surface stays smooth. Our smokehouse casings guide explains how to avoid wrinkled casings.
Choose the casing by your finished stuffing diameter. Fibrous size codes do not match the stuffed diameter directly, so see our fibrous casing sizing guide. Plastic casings are listed by nominal diameter, and our specialists will help you match either one to your product through a free sizing consultation.
Casings can be custom printed with your brand, with minimum quantities and longer lead times for printed casings. Sliced and finished bologna is commonly packed in shrink bags or vacuum pouches. Request a free quote or call 201-939-3335.
Contact Globe Casings Inc. for pricing, availability, and expert guidance.
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