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.
Stroll down the deli aisle at your local grocery store and you may notice something called “turkey ham” for sale. At first glance, this product name seems as nonsensical as “chicken beef” or “salmon pork”. After all, isn’t ham made from pork? What exactly is turkey ham and how does it differ from regular ham? Let’s unravel the mystery behind this curious product.
A Brief History
While it may seem like an odd concept turkey ham has been around for decades. It was invented in 1975 by Jennie-O a major turkey product company. They developed it as a lower-fat and lower-sodium alternative to traditional ham.
Jennie-O’s introduction of turkey ham caused some legal troubles with pork producers at first. But the product was eventually allowed to keep the name “turkey ham”, as long as all packaging included the sub-heading “cured turkey thigh meat” to clarify exactly what it contains.
Made from Turkey, Not Pork
The most important thing to know is that turkey ham contains absolutely no pork. As you may have guessed from the name it is made entirely from turkey meat – specifically the thigh.
While traditional ham is from the pork thigh, turkey ham utilizes the same part of the turkey anatomy. Turkey thighs provide an ideal balance of fat, collagen, and muscle that allows the meat to be cured and shaped like ham.
How Turkey Ham is Made
The manufacture of turkey ham aims to imitate the flavor, texture, and appearance of pork ham. Here are the basic steps:
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Turkey thighs are deboned by machines.
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The meat is injected with a wet curing solution containing water, salt, sodium nitrite, sugars, and other additives.
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The turkey thighs soak in the curing brine for several hours to absorb the flavors.
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After curing, the meat is fully cooked.
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The cooked turkey is often smoked or coated with extra seasonings like paprika to enhance flavor.
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Finally, the turkey ham is sliced and packaged for sale.
So while the main ingredient is turkey, the curing and cooking process allows it to mimic ham quite convincingly!
Flavor Profile
When you take a bite of turkey ham, expect a similar salty and slightly sweet flavor as regular ham. The brining solution gives it a recognizable ham-like taste. Any smoky hints or spices also aim to make the flavor resemble pork ham.
The texture is pleasantly chewy without being tough. Overall, the taste and mouthfeel is comparable to other deli lunch meats like roast beef and salami. So if you enjoy those types of cold cut sandwiches, turkey ham will likely satisfy that craving!
Nutrition Facts
Turkey ham contains several beneficial nutrients:
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High in protein – around 10 grams per 2 oz serving.
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Provides some iron, potassium, zinc and B vitamins.
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Lower in fat than regular ham, since turkey is leaner than pork.
However, it is also high in sodium due to the curing process. Watch your portions if you are monitoring salt intake.
Cooking with Turkey Ham
Turkey ham has many of the same uses as traditional ham. Here are some recipe ideas:
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Sandwiches – Turkey ham works great in any type of sandwich. Combine with cheese, lettuce, tomato, mustard – anything you like!
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Breakfast – Add some slices to omelets, biscuits or breakfast sandwiches.
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Salads – Chop up turkey ham for pasta, potato, or leafy green salads.
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Snacking – Roll up with cream cheese or cheese slices for an easy snack.
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Substitute – Use turkey ham in recipes instead of regular ham when you want a lower fat option.
So get creative with this versatile lunch meat in your cooking!
Where to Buy Turkey Ham
While turkey ham is not as ubiquitous as products like turkey bacon or sausage, major grocery store chains do carry it. Here are some tips for locating it:
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Check the packaged deli meat section, near other pre-sliced meats.
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Look for national brands like Jennie-O, Butterball, Oscar Meyer, etc.
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The butcher counter or deli may also have whole, unsliced turkey ham.
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Search your grocer’s website to see if they carry it, before you shop.
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Ask the butcher counter if they can order it for you, if not regularly stocked.
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Buy from online specialty meat retailers if unavailable locally.
With its unique taste and texture, turkey ham is a fun alternative to spice up sandwiches and recipes! Now that you know exactly what it is and how it’s made, don’t be afraid to take a walk on the deli side and try this howlingly good mystery meat.
FAQs about Turkey Ham
Is turkey ham considered a red or white meat?
Turkey ham is white meat, since it comes from poultry.
Can you substitute turkey ham for regular ham?
In most recipes, yes. The flavor is very similar.
Is turkey ham healthier than pork ham?
It’s lower in fat and sodium compared to regular ham. But high sodium levels still exist due to the curing process.
Does turkey ham taste like actual ham?
While not identical, turkey ham provides a similar salty, smoky, and savory flavor.
Can you eat turkey ham cold or does it require cooking?
Turkey ham is a ready-to-eat food that can be consumed straight from the package without cooking.
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.
How is turkey ham made?
Because turkey ham is meant to taste and feel like regular ham, it is cooked in the same way. If you look at the big picture, boneless ham is either cured, smoked, or both. There are many other ways to prepare ham. Advertisement.
For turkey ham, the turkey thigh meat is first deboned. That’s when a mix of salt, sugar, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, sodium phosphate, sodium nitrite, potassium lactate, and water are injected into the meat to cure it. Curing meat is a process of food preservation that dates back to 3,000 B. C. There are two types of curing: wet and dry. For dry curing, you rub a mixture of salt and spices on the outside of the meat. For wet curing, you add water to make a brine. Turkey ham uses a wet method, as does traditional ham. The turkey is put in the brine and left to rest for a few hours. The cure is finished when the meat is cooked.