You have a lot of options when it comes to getting a sub sandwich, and Jersey Mikes is a favorite for many people, for sure. With over 2,800 locations in the United States and hundreds more in the pipeline, Jersey Mikes has grown a robust following since the very first location opened in 1956, in — where else? — New Jersey (safe to say its no longer just a regional fast food chain).
However, whether you love Jersey Mikes for its tasty “Mikes Way” addition to each sub, adding a zingy blend of vinegar, oil, and spices to every sandwich, you appreciate the sub chains gluten-free options, or you cant get enough of the robust cheesesteak selection, Jersey Mikes isnt all good and no bad. There are actually a few menu items that you might want to reconsider ordering in the future — for reasons that include your health and just plain poor quality. These are the things you should think twice about ordering from Jersey Mikes.
Jersey Mike’s is beloved for their fresh, customizable sub sandwiches loaded with quality meats and toppings Their popular #7 Turkey and Provolone sub features tender turkey breast that many fans enjoy But an important question has emerged – is Jersey Mike’s turkey processed?
In this comprehensive article we’ll examine how Jersey Mike’s prepares and handles their turkey to determine if it can be considered processed deli meat. We’ll also look at the health implications of processed meats and how to make smart choices when eating at Jersey Mike’s.
Defining Processed Meat
Before evaluating Jersey Mike’s turkey, let’s first understand what constitutes “processed” meat.
Processed meats are those that have been manipulated to alter their natural state. Common processing methods include:
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Curing, smoking, or salting to impart flavor and extend shelf life.
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Emulsifying to evenly distribute fat and improve texture.
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Drying, canning, or other preservation techniques to prolong shelf life.
So if a meat undergoes any of these processes, it would be classified as processed. With this context, let’s inspect how Jersey Mike’s handles their turkey.
How Jersey Mike’s Prepares Their Turkey
According to Jersey Mike’s website, their turkey breast meat is:
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Sliced and prepared fresh in-store daily.
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Free of nitrates, nitrites, and artificial preservatives.
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99% fat-free.
While minimally processed, their turkey does undergo some processing:
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Curing – Curing with salt for flavor and shelf life extension. Jersey Mike’s turkey appears cured with sea salt.
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Smoking – Potentially smoking their turkey to add flavor. Unclear if this is done.
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Cooking – Fully cooking the turkey breast meat. All cooked meats are considered processed.
So although they avoid concerning additives like nitrites, their turkey is technically processed via curing, potential smoking, and cooking. Next we’ll look at how this level of processing impacts health and nutrition.
Health Implications of Minimally Processed Deli Meats
Not all processed meats are created equal in terms of health effects. Level of processing is key:
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Heavily processed deli meats with added preservatives like nitrites have stronger links to health issues like heart disease and cancer.
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Minimally processed meats without these additives pose fewer risks, especially when consumed in moderation.
Since Jersey Mike’s turkey skips nitrites and artificial additives, it would be considered minimally processed. Benefits of their turkey:
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High in protein for satiety and muscle repair.
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Low in fat and calories for weight management.
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Free of concerning preservatives like nitrites.
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Lower in sodium than many cured meats.
Potential cautions with frequent high intake:
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Saturated fat and sodium content could still be high for certain diets.
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Can contain small amounts of preservatives from smoking.
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Heated and cured meats may still increase cancer risks when eaten regularly.
Overall, Jersey Mike’s turkey is likely one of the healthier processed deli options when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. But some degree of caution is still warranted.
Tips for Healthy Eating at Jersey Mike’s
You don’t have to eliminate Jersey Mike’s completely for healthy eating. Here are tips to build a better sub:
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Select a mini or regular size to control portions. Their giant subs can spur overeating.
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Choose whole wheat or multigrain rolls for added fiber.
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Load up on veggie toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and peppers for nutrients.
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Consider adding avocado for healthy fats.
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Opt for mustard over mayo-based sauces.
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Pick leaner meats like turkey, chicken, or ham over higher-fat varieties.
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Limit cheese or ask for it on the side to control calories.
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Be mindful of sodium from ingredients like pickles, olives, and dressings.
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Create a salad sub on lettuce wrap instead of bread for a low-carb option.
The Verdict on Jersey Mike’s Turkey
So enjoy your favorite Jersey Mike’s turkey sub in moderation alongside plenty of nourishing homemade meals. With some mindfulness, you can satisfy your sandwich cravings and maintain great health.
The tuna fish sub
You may consider ordering a tuna fish sub at Jersey Mikes if youre trying to stay on the healthy side. Fish is great for you, and Jersey Mikes says its tuna fish salad is made fresh on-site, so you dont have to worry about some employee in the back making your sub by scooping globs of pre-made tuna salad from a giant bucket shipped from corporate. However, you should maybe worry about the type of tuna used in the sub. Jersey Mikes uses a mix of albacore and light tuna in its tuna salad, the former of which has higher mercury levels and might not be suitable for everyone, including children and pregnant women.
Beyond this, though, theres just the issue that Jersey Mikes tuna fish sub leaves a lot to be desired and is consistently cited as one of the worst subs on the menu. In a Tasting Table review that ranked popular Jersey Mikes subs, the tuna fish sandwich scored dead last. The reviewer found that the subs tuna salad was akin to a fishy paste, with too much mayo and a lingering, less-than-desirable flavor.
Jersey Mikes does offer gluten-free sub rolls from the Udis brand. In a world where not a ton of fast-food and casual chains offer gluten-free buns, this is great news for those who deal with a gluten sensitivity or allergy. However, if you have more than just a sensitivity, you may still, unfortunately, want to avoid Jersey Mikes gluten-free subs — and especially so if you have celiac disease and risk more than just a few extra trips to the bathroom if you consume gluten.
While Jersey Mikes employees will make your sub with a gluten-free roll, and they do go to pretty extensive lengths to make your sub on a clean surface with clean tools, your sandwich is still being potentially exposed to all sorts of gluten in the environment. For example, an employee could use a glove thats touched gluten to retrieve some toppings for a regular sandwich; then, another employee comes along and gets some of the same toppings for a gluten-free sandwich. While fresh gloves were used, theres still a risk.
Furthermore, standards for making gluten-free subs seem to differ from chain location to chain location, and when you order online, you cant see what precautions are being taken. Ordering gluten-free at Jersey Mikes will depend on your personal risk aversion.
The club supreme sub
Theres the Jersey Mikes club sub and then theres the Jersey Mikes club supreme sub, which takes things to an entirely new level of decadence, swapping out the formers ham for roast beef and the provolone for Swiss. What you end up with is a pretty stacked sub that combines roast beef, turkey, and bacon with cheesy, mayo-y goodness. You also, though, end up with more calories — to the tune of 1,140 in the club supreme sub, making this one of the more calorie-rich options among Jersey Mikes cold sandwiches.
The culprit thats adding the most calories to this sub? While the white bread technically accounts for the most calories in this menu item, the mayo accounts for nearly the same amount. If you opt to leave the mayo off this sub, youll save yourself a cool 260 calories — and when the sub already contains Jersey Mikes olive oil blend, do you really need the mayo anyway?
Jersey Mike’s The Sub Above Difference – Turkey
FAQ
Does Jersey Mike’s use real turkey?
Our turkey sub is one of our most popular sandwiches. Our 99% fat-free turkey breast and provolone is bursting with flavor. Get a giant, and don’t forget to share!
Is the meat from Jersey Mike’s processed?
Jersey Mike’s uses fresh-sliced meats and cheeses, and the bread is baked in-house daily. The meats and cheeses are high-quality and flavorful, and the bread is soft and flavorful.
Does Jersey Mike’s turkey have preservatives?
Our turkey is hormone free, no nitrates, no artificial preservative, low cholesterol and 99% fat free.
How do you know if turkey is processed?
If you look at the label of even ‘oven roasted’ sliced turkey, you’re likely to see ingredients such as salt, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, or potassium chloride. These are used to salt meats—meaning the turkey is processed.
Does Jersey Mike’s sell meat?
Jersey Mike’s does sell meat. Both processed meats are used in their restaurants. More nutritional information for Jersey Mike’s can be found here. Jersey Mike’s has a long history of entrepreneurship and delicious sub sandwiches.
What makes Jersey Mike’s meat so good?
Jersey Mike’s takes pride in its commitment to quality and only sources meat from reputable suppliers. They have strict guidelines in place to ensure that the processing of the meat meets their high standards. Additionally, the meat is sliced and prepared in each store, ensuring that it is as fresh as possible for customers.
Does Jersey Mike’s have fermented food?
This sub does feature fermented foods known to be good for gut health. Turkey and Provolone: One of the cold subs you can find at Jersey Mike’s, this relatively healthy sandwich uses turkey breast, which is natural and contains no additives. The sub does, however, have 780 calories per serving with 8g of saturated fat and 1g of trans fat.
Does Jersey Mike’s use cheese?
It is important to note that Jersey Mike’s does use processed meats and sauces, cheeses, and other ingredients containing artificial ingredients. If you are looking to make a healthier choice at Jersey Mike’s, it may be best to avoid cheese and other unhealthy ingredients. The sandwiches at Jersey Mike’s are handmade in front of you.
Does Jersey Mike’s have gluten-free bread?
While Jersey Mike’s does not specifically label their meats as gluten-free, they offer gluten-free bread as an option for customers with dietary restrictions. However, cross-contamination may occur in the processing and preparation of the meats, so customers with severe gluten allergies should exercise caution.
Does Jersey Mike’s use preservatives?
While Jersey Mike’s is committed to using fresh ingredients, some preservatives may be used in the processing of the meats to ensure that they are safe to consume. However, the company is transparent about the ingredients they use and strives to minimize the use of preservatives whenever possible. How does Jersey Mike’s handle food safety?