Plus, does turkey really make you tired? And what you should not do when preparing it.
When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.
Gertrude Stein wrote that “a rose is a rose is a rose.” Inspired by her musing (and alarmed at the high cost of the traditional Thanksgiving main course these days), we wanted to find out if the same could be said for turkeys.
For years, fans of the beloved Thanksgiving bird may have heard people refer to their pricey heritage turkeys as “life-altering.” But heritage birds are an investment: They can cost upward of $11 per pound compared with less than $2 per pound for a bargain bird. And if it’s brined and smothered in gravy anyway, how could anyone tell it apart from a regular grocery store bird? (Plus, you’ll be serving it alongside pumpkin, yams, and Brussels sprouts, right?)
To find out whether heritage birds are worth the money and how much difference there is between several popular grocery store brand turkeys, several colleagues headed to the Consumer Reports labs to roast five birds and do a blind taste test.
Even the least tasty turkey can be tarted up into something palatable if you massage enough butter, herbs, and other seasonings into its flesh before cooking, and then drown it in savory gravy after. But our goal was to evaluate the taste of the meat to help home cooks start with the best-tasting bird at the best price. So we took a minimal approach in our preparation: no added fat, herbs, or seasoning, other than 2.5 teaspoons of kosher salt distributed over the skin and inside the cavity—the most basic recipe we found that was approved by Paul Hope, a classically trained chef who writes about appliances at CR.
All of the turkeys we tested are listed below, with their cost as of November 2022, and our feelings about each cooked turkey’s texture, flavor, and moisture.
The 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Turkey was the second-most expensive turkey we tested—it flew to the top spot of the lists of most evaluators. And its virtues weren’t limited to its organic seal or its flavor: Social media editor Alexis Priester thought it was the prettiest turkey, too, which is important for that perfect Instagram moment. “White meat is generally the most appealing meat to look at (but least appealing in terms of flavor) . . . and this white meat was that turkey,” she said. Some tasters thought it was a little bland, but those who liked it really enjoyed it. Production Coordinator Aileen McCluskey thought both the “white and dark meat were moist . . . and had a really good, mild taste.”
Another evaluator thought this turkey was the most moist. At $2.99 a pound, it was the second-most expensive turkey.
For many shoppers, Aldi is the go-to spot for affordable groceries without sacrificing quality. Their Simply Nature brand offers a wide array of organic and natural products to fit any diet or lifestyle. One popular Simply Nature item is their organic oven roasted and smoked turkey breast lunch meat. With its convenience, flavor, and reasonable price point, this turkey checks all the boxes for an easy protein addition to sandwiches, salads, snacks, and more.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a close look at Aldi’s organic turkey breast. You’ll learn about the product specs, ingredients, nutrition facts, prices, and best ways to use this versatile deli meat. We’ll also compare it to other turkey options on the market. Let’s dive in!
An Overview of Aldi’s Organic Roasted and Smoked Turkey Breast
Aldi offers their Simply Nature oven roasted and smoked turkey breast in convenient 6 ounce packages. It comes in sliced or shaved variations. The thin slices make it perfect for sandwiches and roll ups. Wide shavings work nicely in salads or lettuce wraps.
Both versions are minimally processed with no artificial ingredients, They are certified organic and contain turkey breast meat that is roasted and lightly smoked The smoking infuses the meat with delicious flavor,
This turkey breast contains no added hormones, antibiotics, or preservatives It’s also free of common allergens like gluten and soy. The ingredients list is impressively short and simple for an organic deli meat
Nutritional Profile of Aldi’s Turkey Breast
Compared to other processed lunch meats, Aldi’s organic turkey breast nutrition facts are very solid. A 2 ounce serving contains:
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Protein: 13g
With zero carbs and sugars, this is a nutritious high protein choice. The sodium content is higher than fresh turkey, but lower than many competing deli meats. Overall, these nutrition numbers make it a smart pick for keto, paleo, or low carb lifestyles.
How the Prices Compare to Other Turkey Options
One major perk of Aldi’s organic turkey is the very reasonable cost. A 6 ounce package prices at just $3.29. That shakes out to about $1.10 per 2 ounce serving.
By comparison, other major brands of organic turkey breast can run $6-8 for the same 6 ounce size. So Aldi’s version offers close to 60% savings. Even conventional mass market turkey slices cost $2-3 more on average.
For shoppers wanting an organic choice without the premium price tag, Aldi’s turkey breast is a clear value pick.
Serving Suggestions and Recipe Ideas
The convenience and versatility of Aldi’s turkey slices make them easy to incorporate into various recipes. Here are some tasty ways to put this affordable organic protein to use:
-
Sandwiches – Classic turkey and cheese, clubs, paninis, subs, hoagies.
-
Salads – Turkey Cobb, chef, antipasto, taco, Greek, Caesar.
-
Wraps – Turkey lettuce wraps, spinach tortilla pinwheels.
-
Snacks – Roll ups with cream cheese and veggies.
-
Omelets and scrambles – Diced turkey for breakfast dishes.
-
Soups – Turkey noodle, turkey rice, turkey tortilla.
-
Casseroles – Use in any ground turkey recipe.
-
Pizza – Healthy turkey veggie flatbread pizza.
-
Stir fries – Quick protein for any sautéed veggie medley.
With some imagination, the recipe options are truly endless!
How Does It Compare to Other Aldi Turkey Offerings?
Within their own brand, Aldi offers a few different turkey lunch meat choices. How does the organic roasted and smoked version stack up?
Compared to Aldi’s everyday Deli Shaved Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, the organic has higher quality ingredients but costs a little more. The non-organic is still minimally processed with no artificial additives, but not certified organic.
Aldi also sells Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast, which relies only on smoking not roasting. That one has more robust smoky flavor if you prefer that taste. But the organic roasted and smoked combines the best of both techniques.
For an organic choice, Aldi’s is far cheaper than competitor deli meats. Within Aldi selections, it provides the top ingredients with bolder flavor than plain roasted options.
Is Aldi’s Organic Turkey Breast Healthy?
Based on the minimal ingredients and nutrition profile, Aldi’s turkey breast stacks up as a healthy choice, especially for deli meat. With high protein, low carbs and sugar, and less sodium than most other sliced lunch meats, it fits well into a balanced diet.
The organic certification also gives peace of mind that the meat contains no hormones, antibiotics, or preservatives. The clean ingredient list makes it a good pick for anyone avoiding artificial additives.
For an easy, nutritious sandwich filling or salad topper, Aldi’s turkey breast checks all the boxes. The affordability makes it accessible for any shopper looking to increase healthy protein intake.
Time to Get Your Gobble On!
Between the convenience, taste, and nutritional benefits, Aldi’s Simply Nature organic oven roasted and smoked turkey breast is a real winner. This versatile and affordable deli meat can upgrade your sandwiches, salads, snacks, and recipes. Its quality and smart price point outshine competitor products.
Next time you shop at Aldi, be sure to grab a pack or two of organic turkey breast. Get ready to gobble it down on all your lunches, light dinners, and meat and veggie plates. Your wallet and your taste buds will thank you!
15 Ways to Save Money on Your Feast
Check out our Thanksgiving food shopping tips.
Best Value Bird: Aldi Never Any! Young Turkey
Price per pound, at the time of publish: $1.89
Graphic: Alisa OConnor/Consumer Reports Graphic: Alisa OConnor/Consumer Reports
It wasn’t the least expensive bird we tried (see Member’s Mark, below), but the Aldi Never Any! turkey is still a bargain at under $2 per pound, and many of our evaluators found it to be a palate pleaser. It also received two votes for the best-tasting bird. Several evaluators described the Aldi bird as gamey (one guessed it was a heritage bird), so this is a good choice for those who like their turkey on the gamey side and a bad choice for those who don’t. Althea Chang-Cook, an associate director of content, said it was “definitely more flavorful . . . and more tender, too.” It was her favorite. Priester also thought it tasted gamey but observed that it would stand up well to a “nice wet brine.”
Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast using Butterball Roast from ALDI!
FAQ
Does Aldi have fresh turkey breasts?
They pretty regularly sell single fresh turkey breasts. If you’re looking for a WHOLE breast with both turkey breast portions they’ll sell those soon with the other frozen turkey options. From what I remember a bone in and a boneless variety are there.
Is organic turkey better than non organic?
5. Organic or Free-range? Organic turkeys are those that have been raised free of chemicals, antibiotics or fertilizers. They are even highly recommended by Consumer Reports, which states that antibiotic-free and organic poultry tend to carry fewer antibiotic-resistant bacteria. (That’s good!)
Where do Aldi turkeys come from?
Established in 1988, our free-range turkey supplier rears birds with passion and an understanding of their needs resulting in delicious full flavoured meat. With welfare at the heart of their farms, the turkeys are lovingly slowly grown in East Anglia with the freedom to roam and explore their enriched environment.
Which is better, boneless turkey breast or bone-in turkey breast?
Bone-in is ideal. Turkey breasts are available boneless and bone-in. Bone-in will generally be far more flavorful and juicier.