Turkey meat is one of the most low-fat and nutritious types of meat that you can incorporate into your daily diet. If you are a fan of deli meat, you can easily find low-fat turkey pastrami and other delicious types of cured and smoked turkey alternatives at your nearest Jewish deli.
Turkey pastrami is a kind of turkey meat alternative you can easily find at a Jewish deli. Turkey pastrami has a smoky, meaty, and juicy flavor that pairs well with various kinds of cheese and breads. You can place turkey pastrami on a charcuterie board to enjoy with friends and family or try it in a delicious sandwich with your favorite toppings.
If you are looking to make turkey pastrami yourself, you will need to employ the same method of curing and smoking the meat used for beef pastrami. The curing process includes brining the turkey, for which you need to create a special brine mixture. The brine typically contains peppercorns, paprika, garlic, coriander, all-spice, cloves, and mustard seeds. These spices give the turkey a deep and complex flavor over time, after which the turkey is smoked for a richer taste.
What Is Turkey Pastrami?
Turkey pastrami is made from the bird’s skinless drumstick and thigh meat. It is a much better choice than beef pastrami since it contains the same delicious flavor without harmful saturated fats. Many people are unaware of the fact that pastrami is traditionally made from turkey, lamb, or beef in Romania. Even though New York Jewish delis often market their beef pastrami more prominently, you will be able to find excellent turkey pastrami there as well.
The pastrami was introduced in the United States of America in the late 19th century. The Jewish Romanians who had migrated from their country used goose breasts to make pastrami since it was the most commonly available meat. However, since beef navel meat was cheaper at the time, the Jewish Romanians altered the curing recipe and the smoking techniques to create beef pastrami.
Sussman Volk from New York City was the first to build a pastrami sandwich with his Romanian friend’s recipe. The recipe for pastrami was given to him by a dear friend in exchange for a favor and made Volk immensely popular for producing the most flavorful and delicious pastrami in all of New York City.
Boar’s Head Turkey Pastrami
Boar’s Head is a brand that has been producing whole muscle beef, poultry, and pork products in New York City since 1905. The brand was started by Frank Brunckhorst as he wanted a better quality of hams in the market. Therefore, Boar’s Head was established to produce the most high-quality meat products for you and your family using the finest ingredients. The spices and meats used by Boar’s Head are sourced from all across the globe, and skilled artisans and craftsmen from the company prepare different meats and cheeses by hand.
Boar’s Head Turkey pastrami is inspired by the original flavor of New York City’s pastrami available in Jewish delis across the city. The best part about Boar’s Head Pastrami Seasoned Turkey Breast is that it is seasoned and coated with various spices by hand to ensure a consistent and rich flavor. The Boar’s Head Turkey pastrami seasoning contains traditional herbs and spices that can provide a fantastic and nostalgic taste. No matter if you taste a slice of Boar’s Head Pastrami Seasoned Turkey Breast or enjoy it shredded in your sandwich, you will be mind-blown by its bold and wonderful flavor with just the first bite.
The Boar’s Head Pastrami Seasoned Turkey Breast does not contain any traces of milk, gluten, or MSG. The turkeys used for making the product are raised without hormones, ensuring healthy and natural growth. Due to the great blend of spices, you will not notice any caramel coloring on top of the meat.
For your ease of mind, we have added the following nutritional facts chart for Boar’s Head Pastrami Seasoned Turkey Breast (per 56 g).
| Calories | 60 |
| Total Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 25 mg |
| Sodium | 460 mg |
| Potassium | 190 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1 g |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Iron | 2% |
Jennie-O Turkey Pastrami
Jennie-O is a popular ready-to-eat food brand that focuses on producing turkey and other meat-based products. The company has been in business since 1940 and promotes the message that you don’t have to eat bland food to eat well. With whole turkeys, sausages, deli meats, and ground turkey, Jennie-O offers a great range of products that are ready to eat and can be enjoyed easily with loved ones.
Jennie-O’s turkey products, especially turkey pastrami, are one of the most delicious items produced by the company. The turkey pastrami is created with a fantastic blend of seasoning and spices, which means that it can be enjoyed on its own or in a salad, sandwich, or burger. The best part about Jennie-O turkey pastrami is that it is almost 95% fat-free. This means you can pile a large quantity of turkey pastrami without worrying about gaining weight or the extra calories.
The turkey pastrami from Jennie-O also has a mouth-watering appearance and texture. The curing and smoking process allows the turkey pastrami to develop a wonderful smokiness, while the spicy coating of real black peppercorns gives it an earthy and authentic taste. The soft meat of the turkey pastrami can be easily diced, julienned, or sliced to be enjoyed however you want.
To help you learn about the nutritional value of Jennie-O turkey pastrami (56 g), we have compiled the following chart:
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 3 g |
| Saturated Fats | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 40 mg |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
| Calcium | 30 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 3 g |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Potassium | 190 mg |
Turkey Pastrami Calories
The number of calories in turkey pastrami depends on the type of turkey meat and curing ingredients you use to make the pastrami. However, we have compiled a nutritional value chart for two typical slices of deli turkey pastrami so that you can consume it according to your dietary preferences. 2 slices of turkey usually contain 55% protein, 33% fat, and 12% carbohydrates.
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 2.47 g |
| Saturated Fats | 0.674 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.649 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.846 g |
| Cholesterol | 39 mg |
| Sodium | 559 mg |
| Calcium | 6 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2.1 g |
| Protein | 9.29 g |
| Potassium | 197 mg |
Turkey Pastrami – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is turkey pastrami healthy?
Just like beef pastrami, turkey pastrami also contains a large amount of sodium due to the brining process, which decreases its overall nutritional value. Nevertheless, turkey meat is an excellent source of protein and can be a nutritious part of your daily diet.
Turkey pastrami also does not contain much fat, similar to beef pastrami; however, most of the fat in turkey pastrami is not saturated (unlike beef pastrami), making it a much better low-cholesterol option.
Is turkey pastrami healthier than beef pastrami?
Both pastrami types contain less than 2 grams of fat per 1 oz serving. The big difference is really in their saturated fat content. Beef pastrami has a higher amount of saturated fat so turkey pastrami is often the choice for those who want to keep their cholesterol under control.
What is turkey pastrami made of?
Turkey pastrami is typically made of turkey meat that comes from the bird’s thigh and drumsticks. However, you may also notice that some recipes for turkey pastrami use turkey breast instead of turkey thighs or drumsticks.
What does turkey pastrami taste like?
Turkey pastrami does not taste much different from beef pastrami since the preparation methods for both kinds of pastrami are very similar. It is a smoky and flavorful type of meat that can be enjoyed with different condiments in sandwiches and burgers. Nevertheless, turkey pastrami carries significantly less fat than beef pastrami, making it a healthier option of the two.
How long can turkey pastrami be stored in the refrigerator?
You can store turkey pastrami from the deli for almost 3-5 days in the refrigerator without spoiling.
Where can I buy turkey pastrami?
You can easily buy turkey pastrami from a local Jewish deli or choose Boar’s Head Pastrami Seasoned Turkey Breast or Jennie-O Turkey Pastrami from a supermarket near you.
How To Make Turkey Pastrami
Usually made from beef, this recipe for turkey pastrami is a leaner alternative to the famous deli meat. First marinated and then smoked, this pastrami will taste as authentic as what you would find in downtown New York.
Summary
Turkey pastrami is one of the most delicious deli meats you will ever try. Aside from being a healthier version of beef pastrami, turkey pastrami does not contain a high amount of harmful saturated fats that can affect your cholesterol. You can enjoy turkey pastrami burgers and sandwiches and even enjoy them with your favorite types of cheese.
If you don’t have a Jewish deli near you, you can easily find Boar’s Head Pastrami Seasoned Turkey Breast or Jennie-O Turkey Pastrami at a grocery store near you. Although these versions do not exactly taste like handmade turkey pastrami from New York City delis, they are excellent alternate options with similar tastes.
If you would like to learn more about pastrami or pastrami sandwiches, click on any of the following links.
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My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.
