Homemade Smoked Turkey Lunch Meat

By Christie Vanover | Revealed August 29, 2023 | Final Up to date August 29, 2023

This do-it-yourself smoked turkey lunch meat is the proper approach to get deli-quality lunch meat with out the preservatives.

This recipe is my favourite approach to get that thinly sliced turkey breast you’d discover on a deli sandwich. The distinction is that by making it your self, you possibly can put together it with out sodium nitrite or sodium nitrates. 

What’s turkey lunch meat?

Whenever you go to the grocery retailer or deli counter, you’ll see all kinds of sliced turkey lunch meat. These slices are nice for constructing sandwiches or wraps or for tossing on salads.

However the place do these slices come from when an entire turkey is stuffed with bones?

Typically, the slices are reduce from the breast meat. By itself, this boneless chicken is a little bit bigger than a rooster breast, however nonetheless not giant sufficient to create these hefty deli slices.

That’s the place the turkey roast is available in. A turkey roast is a set of boneless turkey meat that’s layered collectively, wrapped in elastic netting after which frozen.

The roast can embrace all chicken or a combination of white and darkish meat. I desire the combo, as a result of the darkish meat provides extra richness.

When the roast is cooked, the meat fuses collectively to kind a stable piece of meat. Then, you possibly can slice it into these giant deli slices on your sandwich.

How you can make all-natural turkey

Whenever you select a frozen turkey roast, test the label. It could be pre-seasoned or include sodium phosphates within the brine or synthetic flavors. 

In case you are on the lookout for a more healthy alternative, ask your butcher for a uncooked, unprocessed boneless turkey breast. You’ll be able to even be tremendous particular and inform them you need one with no added hormones or different synthetic substances.

Then, you can also make your personal turkey roast by rolling the breast up and sliding it into elastic netting. From there, select a seasoning that matches your dietary wants or preserve it actually easy with simply olive oil and sea salt. 

• Turkey Roast: Search for a 3-pound frozen turkey roast. You should buy an all chicken breast roast or a roast with white and darkish meat. Let it thaw earlier than seasoning.
• Poultry Rub: I exploit my award-winning Chicken Rub, however you possibly can experiment with totally different seasonings should you like. 

See the complete recipe card beneath for servings and a full checklist of substances.

1. STEP ONE: Be sure that your turkey roast is totally thawed. Go away the elastic netting on the roast. Then, apply dry rub on all sides.

2. STEP TWO: Wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate in a single day. This can be a dry brine, however it’s also possible to use a moist brine should you desire, like my smoked turkey brine. 

3. STEP THREE: Preheat your grill to 250F. Take away the plastic wrap and place the turkey roast on the smoker over oblique warmth and smoke till it reaches an inner temperature of 165F levels. This may take 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

4. STEP FOUR: Take away the turkey from the smoker. Then, take away the netting.

5. STEP FIVE: Let cool on the counter for 30-60 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours. 

6. STEP SIX: Utilizing a meat slicer or very sharp knife, slice the breast meat to your required thickness.

How you can serve deli-sliced smoked turkey

For turkey sandwiches, layer the slices of moist turkey on high of sandwich bread. Add your favourite condiments for a scrumptious lunch.

To make a wrap, unfold a tortilla with mayo or smashed avocado. Add layers of sliced turkey lunch meat, bacon, lettuce and tomato and roll it up.

For salads, reduce the slices into strips and toss with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and dressing.

You’ll be able to even whip up a fast meal by mixing smoked turkey with freshly cooked pasta and Alfredo sauce.

Storage

Leftover smoked turkey could be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-5 days. Leftover turkey may also be frozen for as much as 2 months.

If you happen to freeze the turkey lunch meat, portion out particular person servings of sliced meat into plastic luggage. Write a date on them and pop them into the freezer. 

Extra Turkey Recipes

Do-it-yourself Smoked Turkey Lunch Meat

This do-it-yourself smoked turkey lunch meat is the proper approach to get deli-quality lunch meat with out the preservatives.

Recipe by Christie Vanover

Prep Time 8 hours hours

Prepare dinner Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings 16

Directions 

• Season: Preserve the elastic netting on the turkey roast. Apply the rub on all sides of the meat. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate in a single day.

• Warmth Grill: Warmth your grill or smoker to 250F levels with an oblique warmth zone.

• Smoke: Take away the turkey from the plastic wrap. Preserve the netting on. Place it on the smoker and cook dinner to an inner temperature of 165F levels. This may take 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

• Cool: Take away the meat from the smoker. Take away the netting and let relaxation for 30-60 minutes.

• Wrap: Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours.

• Slice: Utilizing a meat slicer or sharp knife, slice to your required thickness.

Notes

You should utilize an all chicken roast or a roast with white and darkish meat. Examine the packaging. Some are already pre-seasoned. 

Vitamin

Energy: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 13gFats: 1gSaturated Fats: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fats: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fats: 0.2gLdl cholesterol: 27mgSodium: 1014mgPotassium: 178mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg

This estimate was created utilizing an internet vitamin calculator

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