You may have looked at turkey ham in the deli section of your grocery store and asked yourself, “What the heck is that?” It doesn’t make much sense at first, like products labeled “chicken beef” or “salmon pork.” Plus, ham has to be made with pig thigh meat by law. But rest assured, turkey ham is made from turkey. Theres no pork in it. Advertisement.
Its a similar type of confusion as the kind associated with almond milk and other non-dairy milk alternatives. An article from the New York Times in 1976 says that turkey ham got into legal trouble with pork producers, just like non-dairy milks do with dairy companies these days. Obviously, turkey ham was able to keep its name, or we wouldnt know it as such today. Because of those legal problems, turkey ham products now have to have a subheading that says “cured turkey thigh meat” to make it clear what it is.
Turkey ham has become a popular alternative to traditional pork ham for those looking to avoid pork for dietary, religious or personal reasons. However, one common question is – does turkey ham contain any pork products? The answer is not always straightforward, as ingredients can vary by brand. Read on for a comprehensive look at what goes into different turkey hams to determine if pork is an ingredient.
What is Turkey Ham?
Turkey ham refers to a meat product made from turkey that is processed and shaped to resemble traditional ham made from pork. The goal is to mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of ham while using turkey as a substitute for the pork.
Turkey ham typically contains the following
- Cooked or cured turkey thigh meat
- Water for moisture
- Salt, spices, and flavorings
- Binders to help form the product
- Preservatives and stabilizers
Why Do People Buy Turkey Ham?
There are a few main reasons people may choose turkey ham over regular pork ham:
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Religious restrictions – Certain religions prohibit pork, making turkey ham an acceptable alternative.
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Health reasons – Some seek a leaner option compared to pork
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Don’t like pork – Personal taste preference for turkey meat.
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Allergies – Turkey avoids potential pork allergies.
Turkey ham allows these groups to still enjoy the taste of ham while avoiding pork.
Does Turkey Ham Contain Pork?
Some turkey ham contains pork, while others do not.
To determine if a turkey ham product contains pork, you must carefully read the ingredient label. Possible pork-containing ingredients include:
- Pork
- Ham or smoked ham
- Pork broth or pork flavoring
- Bacon
- Lard or pork fat
If the ingredients just list turkey and turkey broth, it should be pork-free. But some brands add pork components like ham or bacon to more closely mimic the taste of real pork ham.
Why Would Turkey Ham Contain Pork?
For brands that do contain pork, there are two main reasons:
1. Flavor – Pork imparts a particular flavor profile that producers try to replicate in turkey ham. Adding some pork can provide that authentic, familiar ham taste.
2. Texture – The fat in pork gives traditional ham a characteristic moistness and texture. Turkey alone can be drier, so pork adds juiciness.
While not all brands include pork, some feel it improves the similarity to real ham.
Examples of Turkey Ham Ingredients
To illustrate the variability when it comes to pork contents, here are examples of a few major turkey ham brands and their ingredients:
Jennie-O Oven Roasted Turkey Ham
Ingredients: Turkey thigh meat, water, contains 2% or less sea salt, vinegar, sugar, potassium lactate.
Contains no pork
Butterball Everyday Turkey Ham
Ingredients: Turkey ham (ground turkey thigh meat, turkey broth, contains 2% or less sea salt, sugar, potassium chloride, natural smoke flavor), water.
Contains no pork
Hormel Cure 81 Turkey Ham
Ingredients: Turkey thigh meat, water, contains less than 2% of sea salt, potassium chloride, potassium lactate, sodium phosphates, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite.
Contains no pork
Oscar Mayer Oven Roasted Turkey Ham
Ingredients: Turkey, turkey broth, contains 2% or less of the following: dextrose, salt, sodium phosphate.
Contains no pork
Bar-S Hickory Smoked Flavor Turkey Ham
Ingredients: Turkey, water, contains 2% or less sea salt, corn syrup solids, flavoring, sodium phosphate, carrageenan, smoke flavoring.
Contains no pork
As you can see, the most popular turkey ham brands are made with just turkey and do not include pork. However, always verify by reading the label, as some lesser known brands do add pork.
Is Turkey Ham Healthier Than Pork Ham?
Turkey ham is often considered a healthier alternative due to being lower in fat and calories compared to regular cured ham:
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Turkey ham contains around 1-2g fat per serving
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Pork ham contains around 5-10g of fat per serving
Going with turkey ham is a simple way to cut some fat and calories from a meal.
Can You Substitute Turkey Ham for Pork Ham?
In most recipes, turkey ham can directly replace pork ham with little noticeable difference in taste or texture. The flavors pair similarly with ingredients like mustard, pineapple, cloves, and brown sugar. Simply use the same amount called for in the recipe.
However, the lower fat content of turkey ham means it can dry out faster than pork ham. You may want to adjust cooking times or temperatures to prevent overcooking.
Is Turkey Ham Kosher or Halal?
Turkey ham alone is not automatically certified Kosher or Halal, as processing and ingredients must meet specific guidelines. However, there are turkey ham options that are certified Kosher Pareve and Halal to meet religious dietary restrictions. Check labels for certification symbols if this is a concern.
The bottom line – turkey ham can be a tasty alternative to pork ham, as long as you check the ingredients to ensure it aligns with your dietary needs and restrictions. With so many options available, you can enjoy the flavor without the pork.
What is turkey ham?
Turkey ham was invented by the national brand of turkey products Jennie-O in 1975 in collaboration with the influential agricultural scientist Robert C. Baker (whom the New York Times dubbed “chicken Edison” in 1984). Its a cured and sometimes smoked meat made from the upper leg of turkeys — aka turkey thighs. Youll find it sold either as deli slices or as a whole piece of meat, similar to how traditional ham is sold. Turkey ham is a processed food, fully cooked and ready to be eaten right out of the package. Advertisement
Advertising for turkey ham says it’s better for you than regular ham because it has less red meat and more white meat. But turkey ham isn’t red meat, even though it can look darker than other white meats. Red meat is defined as any meat coming from mammals, while white meat includes poultry. Turkey is a bird, not a mammal, so turkey products will always be white meat, even if they’ve been processed to look different.
What does turkey ham taste like?
Turkey ham tastes, well, like ham. It has a similar salty brininess to it that we so often associate with deli meat ham. Theres also a touch of sweetness, but it isnt honey-sweet by any means. The texture is chewy without being rubbery. If you know how most processed deli meats feel, turkey ham texture is similar to the other styles. Advertisement.
Smoked paprika is often spread on the outside of turkey ham to make it taste even better. It’s not spicy, but the paprika adds a good amount of spice to a flavor profile that is otherwise pretty mild. Of course, deli meat usually tastes mostly salty, and turkey ham is the same way, even with the smoked paprika added. The turkey ham will usually go well with other foods because it won’t overpower them. However, you probably wouldn’t want to add it to a sweet dish.
Turkey ham – A delicious pork ham alternative
FAQ
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