Enjoying Healthy, Nitrate-Free Deli Turkey: A Guide

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Deli turkey can make for quick, tasty sandwiches, but most conventional deli meats contain concerning additives like nitrates. Thankfully there are plenty of nitrate-free options to still enjoy deli turkey guilt-free.

In this guide, we’ll look at the risks of nitrates, the best nitrate-free turkey brands, how to identify healthier choices, and tasty ways to enjoy deli turkey without the harmful additives.

Why Avoid Nitrates in Deli Meats?

First, let’s understand why nitrates and nitrites in processed meats like deli turkey can be harmful:

  • Nitrates/nitrites form cancer-causing compounds called nitrosamines in the body

  • Studies link nitrite/nitrate intake to increased colon stomach and other cancer risks.

  • These additives may also promote cholesterol oxidation and heart disease.

  • Common in cured, processed, and deli meats to prolong shelf life.

When you eat meats containing nitrates/nitrites regularly, the risk of developing cancer or other health issues can increase over time. To reduce this risk, nutrition experts advise limiting processed meat consumption and choosing nitrate-free options.

9 Delicious Nitrate-Free Deli Turkey Brands

You don’t have to give up convenient deli meats to avoid nitrates. Here are the top nitrate-free turkey brands:

  1. Applegate Organic Turkey Breast – Organic, no antibiotics, added hormones, or nitrates.

  2. Boar’s Head Ovengold Turkey – Nitrate/nitrite-free with simple ingredients.

  3. Plainville Organic Turkey – Minimal ingredients, no preservatives.

  4. Jones Naturally Smoked Turkey – Smoked over real wood, no additives.

  5. Trader Joe’s Roasted Turkey – Short ingredient list, no preservatives.

  6. 365 Organic Roasted Turkey – Organic, antibiotic-free, simple ingredients.

  7. Butterball Naturally Roasted Turkey – Sea salt only added, minimally processed.

  8. Columbus Dry Salami Turkey – Italian spiced turkey, no nitrates.

  9. Pederson’s Hickory Smoked Turkey – Smoked turkey with clean ingredients.

What to Look for When Buying Deli Meat

Follow these tips for picking the healthiest nitrate-free deli turkey:

  • Check for “no nitrates/nitrites added” on labels

  • Seek out turkey sliced fresh at the deli counter

  • Look for certified organic and uncured options

  • Avoid deli meats with added sugars

  • Compare sodium contents and choose lower

  • Shorter ingredients lists tend to signal less processed

  • See if humanely raised or sustainably sourced

Healthy and Delicious Ways to Eat Deli Turkey

Here are some nourishing meal ideas using nitrate-free deli turkey:

  • Turkey avocado wrap with veggies

  • Lettuce-wrapped turkey tacos

  • Turkey panini with peppers, spinach, and low-fat cheese

  • Chef salad with turkey, hardboiled egg, tomatoes, cheese

  • Turkey club sandwich with bacon, lettuce, tomato

  • Turkey veggie stir fry with cauliflower rice

  • Turkey skillet with quinoa, kale, zucchini, onion

  • Turkey sandwich on sprouted grain bread with hummus spread

Tasty and Guilt-Free

You can feel good choosing nitrate-free deli turkey to craft sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more for quick nutritious meals. With so many options now available, you don’t have to miss out on the convenience of deli meats. Just opt for nitrate-free turkey breast and enjoy the flavor without the concerning additives.

nitrate free deli turkey 2

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FAQ

Is there deli meat with no nitrates?

When choosing deli meat, your best bet is to buy from the deli counter where the meat can be freshly sliced. These meats are likely to have fewer ingredients, be less processed, and be naturally nitrate-free.

Is boar’s head turkey nitrate-free?

As part of the Boar’s Head All Natural* Collection, the turkey used is humanely raised** with no added hormones or antibioticsꝉ, and there are no added nitrites or nitrates‡.

What turkey does not have nitrates?

Boar’s Head Brand has varieties without nitrites as well as an all-natural deli turkey which also contains no phosphates (an added bonus).

Is Oscar Mayer turkey nitrate-free?

Made with no artificial ingredients, our turkey hot dogs contain no added nitrates or nitrites, except those occurring naturally in cultured celery juice, so you can enjoy the delicious taste you love and quality you expect.

Is oven roasted turkey nitrate free?

Slow roasted, our oven roasted turkey is free of MSG and includes no nitrates or nitrites (except in cultured celery powder and sea salt). Fully cooked and ready to eat, craft delicious ham sandwiches, stack with crackers and cheese for an afternoon snack, or make it a keto-friendly part of your diet or daily routine.

Are boar’s head turkey slices nitrate free?

Not only that, but these turkey slices avoid the use of sodium phosphates, nitrates, and nitrites and use only celery powder, potato starch, salt, and sugar as preservatives. Boar’s Head offers a variety of nitrite-and-nitrate-free products and even offers a handful of healthy deli meats that are lower in sodium, too.

Is nitrate-free deli meat healthy?

It’s likely that buying processed meats labeled as “nitrate and nitrite-free” or “uncured” isn’t much healthier than regular deli meat. Consumer Reports tested 31 samples of packaged nitrate-free deli meats. They found that meat products with this label had similar levels of these chemicals as meats without the label.

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