10 Turkey Deli Meat Recipes for a Quick Homemade Lunch & Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What is a good deli lunch meat? ›

Wondering how much deli meat you should order on your next visit? Here's a good rule of thumb: 1 pound of deli meat, sliced sandwich style, makes about 5 – 6 sandwiches. Cheese slices should be ordered thinner than deli meat, so you'll have more cheese slices to layer on.

“Choose fresh off-the-bone deli meat over pre-packaged lunch meat when possible,” says Levinson. Pre-packaged meat tends to contain more preservatives and additives that extend its shelf life. Avoid smoked options, since meats cooked at high temperatures can contribute to cancer risk (5).

If you plan to eat deli meats anyway, we highly suggest cooking them until they are steaming. If the meat is heated to steaming, any present Listeria bacteria should no longer be alive. More than likely everything will be fine, but if at all possible, it is best to find another go-to food.

Favorite Meats

Choices abound when it comes to which meat you should pile up on your sandwich, but what are the most popular cold cuts? Turkey, ham, bologna, salami, and corned beef, not to mention all of the many different flavors and variations of these meats.

Deli Meats That Last the Longest

According to Beauchamp, this includes deli meats that are fermented (like pepperoni and salami) or dried (like capicola or prosciutto). The reasoning? Fermentation lowers the pH of the deli meat while drying removes some moisture in the product.

If you're hosting a crowd this year, you'll most certainly want another Thanksgiving main dish, like ham or beef, to serve alongside your favorite turkey recipe.

The general rule of thumb is to purchase two to three ounces of deli meat for each sandwich you will make. Yes, it is that simple. Another rule of thumb is to order more than that by the sandwich or per person for the meal. It's never a bad day when you have too much deli meat.

The FDA defines 2 ounces as a serving size in regards to deli meat. That being said, one pound of product would equal 8 servings per pound.

How to make home made lunch meat? ›

Will my daily turkey sandwich give me cancer? There is no way to completely eliminate your risk of cancer. However, the American Institute of Cancer Research recommends avoiding processed meats. That means eat as little processed meat as possible.

While sliminess can certainly suggest that the deli meat has gone bad and should be thrown away, this wetness can also be due to other variables. Additives that are injected into processed meats to make them juicier or more flavorful can sometimes seep out of the meat, causing a film to form.

In conventional deli meats the brine includes a combination of salt, water, sugars (dextrose, corn syrup solids), spices, herbs and preservatives like sodium nitrite and potassium phosphate. Nitrites help preserve the meat and give them a nice pink colour and distinctive salty flavour.

Making your own lunch meat can actually save you money compared to buying pre-packaged lunch meat. Especially if you purchase meat in bulk or when it's on sale. Plus, when you make your own lunch meat, you have complete control over the ingredients you use, which can also be more cost-effective.

There is a little debate about the best cut for deli roast beef. The main contenders are top sirloin, the eye of round, and top loin (also called strip loin). (Some might argue for chuck or brisket, but for plain roast beef, those aren't the right answer.

The sliced-to-order meat you get at the deli counter can be a healthier option, but still contains more sodium than anything you'd make yourself. If making your own cold cuts isn't in the cards for you, stick with fresh-cut, low-sodium, lean cuts of meat.