I quit eating lunch meat when I learned about nitrates, but when I learned how to cook paper-thin slices of turkey at home, homemade lunch meat was on! You will also save money! Make the best homemade white sandwich bread and a side salad and you have a tasty meal!
Turkey on whole wheat. No cheese, a little bit of lettuce, lots of pickles, lots of olives, just a few jalapenos. Mayonnaise and mustard.
Back in my college days, that was the turkey sandwich I ordered every time I went to Subway and I loved every bite.
Until I learned about nitrates. I immediately broke up with all lunch meats and never looked back. That is until my kids started going to a peanut-free school.
Not being able to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich made me feel incapable of making lunches altogether. Like someone was holding my hands behind my back and telling me to make lunch with my feet.
I know it sounds strange, and it sounds strange to type it out.
OF COURSE, there are other things kids can take to school besides a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
I know this first hand because 4 of the 5 days of the week they’re NOT taking a sandwich. They love homemade Lunchables, Italian meatballs, or chocolate chip hummus in their lunches.
But it was a mental block. Not being able to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich made making lunch those other 4 days seem practically impossible.
DIY Lunch Meat
With PBJ out of the question, I went back to my favorite lunchmeat again – turkey. I’m still not okay with buying processed meats.
I don’t know about you, but my budget can NOT afford to pay $12 per pound for ultra thin slice turkey every week! I knew there had to be a better way.
My first attempt was to buy a whole turkey. I bought the smallest one I could for just over $1/lb, roasted it in the oven the same way I make oven roasted chickens, cut off the wings, and legs, and set the breasts aside to slice thin for meat sandwiches.
Although this sounds good in theory, it didn’t work how I had hoped.
- There are tendons in the dark meat that made it tough to get even slices for the kids’ sandwiches. Even if I did get a decent slice, the kids kept finding even more tendons in their sandwiches. (The Girl kept spitting them out, saying there were “bones” no matter how careful I was when I cut the turkey).
- The breasts were easy to slice through, but the natural grain of the meat made a single slice fall apart into smaller pieces. The kids would have to reassemble their sandwiches at school because the meat would fall out of the bread.
- Using a whole turkey would have been fine if my goal was to make turkey salads, dice turkey for dipping or salads, or even eat the pieces whole. But using a whole turkey to make lunch meat simply didn’t work.
Ingredients for Homemade Lunch Meat
- 1 whole turkey breast (approx 48 oz)
- homemade seasoning salt (or sea salt and black pepper)
- olive oil
How to Make Homemade Deli Meat
Next, I tried a whole boneless turkey breast. They come in a single package, ready to roast all by themselves. There are no bones to deal with and thanks to the salt, the slices won’t fall apart when you cut them.
Here are the instructions:
Step 1. Season the outside of the turkey breast with homemade seasoned salt.
Step 2. Roast it in the oven for 90 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165-170F.
The resulting oven roasted turkey breast was so moist and so flavorful, I knew the kids would love it in their lunches!
Except that the slices were too thick!
My goal in making homemade lunch meat was to re-create floppy thin sliced lunch meat like you would find at the deli counter. Fresh out of the oven, the turkey slices weren’t thin at all. They more resembled the slices you get when you carve the Thanksgiving bird – and you and I know that this wouldn’t pass as “lunch meat” for the kids.
So I threw a Hail Mary pass, stuck the breast in the fridge, and tried to slice it thin again after it had been thoroughly chilled.
And it worked!
With a completely chilled turkey breast and a very sharp serrated knife, I was able to cut thin sliced oven roasted turkey as thin as you’d expect to find in any deli meat package. They folded, flopped, and made delicious turkey sandwiches and wraps – without nitrates or preservatives!
FAQs for Homemade Lunch Meat
Is homemade lunch meat healthier?
Yes! According to this article, two chemicals that are linked to increasing the risk of bowel cancer are added to store-bought meat. When you make your own with good quality meat, you are not consuming these chemicals. Roasted turkey will have lower sodium than store-bought cold cuts as well. Whole foods for the win!
Is it cheaper to make your own deli meat?
The turkey breast I bought was 48 oz (or 3 lbs) and I got it for $8. Making my own lunch meat is the equivalent of paying $1.33 for an 8-ounce container of processed lunch meat. Compared to the store-bought all-natural variety, I’m saving 78% by making my own homemade lunch meat!
How long is lunch meat good for?
Lunch meat can be refrigerated for up to three to five days in an airtight container.
Can you freeze lunch meat?
Absolutely! Sliced or unsliced meat can be placed in the freezer. It can be kept there for up to one to two months.
Can I make lunch meat with season chicken breast?
Somewhat. Chicken breast is much smaller than turkey breast making it a little more challenging to get a good cut like sliced deli meat. Although I haven’t tried a thinly sliced rotisserie chicken, I bet you can get some great lunch meat from the chicken breast!
Can I make other homemade deli meats?
Yes! There are excellent recipes for homemade pastrami and roast beef and smoked turkey breast on the web. Experiment and let me know!
Recipe Notes
- I recommend slicing up the whole turkey breast at the same time. You might as well if you’ve already got the tools out!
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh the slices into 8 oz portions.
- Place each portion into a freezer-safe container and pull out one portion each week. This is how we made one turkey breast last a whole month.
Watch How to Make Homemade Lunch Meat
DIY Homemade Lunch Meat
I quit eating lunch meat when I learned about nitrates, but when I learned how to cook paper-thin slices of turkey at home, homemade lunch meat was on! Make the best homemade white sandwich bread and you have a tasty meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 lbs 1x
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Rinse the turkey breast and pat dry. If yours comes with a twine casing, leave that on.
- Rub the homemade seasoned salt – or another seasoning of choice – all over the turkey breast, massaging it as you cover the meat.
- Place the turkey breast in an 8×8 glass pan and drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil. Turn it over and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
- Roast in the oven for 90 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165-170F.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Cut off the twine, if necessary, and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, use a very sharp serrated knife (I have this one) to cut very thin slices of turkey breast, aiming for a slice that’s as wide as the knife blade.
- Store in the fridge, freezing any portions that won’t get eaten within a week.
Notes
- I recommend slicing up the whole turkey breast at the same time. You might as well if you’ve already got the tools out!
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh the slices into 8 oz portions.
- Place each portion into a freezer-safe container and pull out one portion each week. This is how we made one turkey breast last a whole month.
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
Sabrina
Quick question but I ended up buying a turkey breast that was already cooked. Would you recommend cooking it still? There were directions for serving hot.
Tiffany
I wouldn’t. I would chill it and slice it thin as I outlined in the post. Think of it as you got to skip a step! 😉
Charlotte
If you cook an already cooked piece of meat it will get overcooked and dry.
Cake Rose
Hey that looks very delicious I just love eating meat. Thanks for sharing the recipe its really good.
Tiffany
Thank you!
Kate
I love the idea of making my own sandwich meat especially turkey! Every time i’ve tried before it’s fallen apart thank you so much for this tip! I am wondering if your turkey breast is prepared differently since you mentioned salt.
Is your kid’s school all nut free or only peanut? In case you want variety perhaps trying other nut or seed butters for variety could be helpful too. For example almond butter or sunflower seed butter ( I love sun butter) are great.
Joelle
I am going to try this idea today! I also found my turkey breast at Aldi (shop there all the time). I was wondering if you know of a source for poultry without the added basting solution. Homemade still seems a better solution to store bought lunch meat but the beginning product with aded basting solution still seems a bit problematic to me. Love your sight–I read it all the time and find great recipes and many useful ideas.
Tiffany
Thanks Joelle! Are you referring to the packet that came with the breast? I threw that away, lol.
Joelle
Thanks for responding. I also threw the packet away–I assume it’s full of all kinds of yucky stuff :). But I was referring to the self basting solution already injected in the turkey breast. Maybe products are different where you live but here in IA it’s hard to find a turkey without a %15 or %20 basting solution injected. Some of the ingredients are just salt but there are other things in there as well. I assume it’s still better than store bought lunch meat and I think way tastier as well!
Jeannie
I have this question, too. I always throw out the gravy packet, but in the past I have had a terrible time finding one with a brining solution I feel good about or can even eat (food allergies). I will check next time I am at Aldi since I know their ingredients are usually good. Often times those brining solutions have things like MSG, caramel color, dried milk, or “natural flavor.” I wonder if rolling and brining a plain turkey breast would having a similar effect…
Jennilee
I love this! We do school at home, but my youngest two boys have been balking at PB&J on sandwich/wrap days. I was curious, how long you think this would last in the fridge after cooked, chilled, and sliced? Not that it will have any trouble being eaten I’m sure!
Tiffany
I’ll be sure to share the ham when I do it Meg!
Judy
Thanks for a homemade “subway” samwich!! I’ve changed my entire eating habits. Just started a month ago. I’m eating FRESH everything possible….all veggies, the prettiest cherry tomatoes I can find; good ole bright red gala apples, strawberries, avacados ( healthy- high in protein) salmon, Good choice of Chicken breasts, fresh spinich, carrots, with a sprinkle of fresh grated parmesine cheese, and the list goes on…oh and I drink a cup of warm water with half a lemon every morning before my first meal….gotta get plugged in with my vitamin c…and NOW I can put all my fresh veggies along with my HOMEMADE TURKEY – fresh bread of my choice, and my husband will LOVE the sandwich from his desk at work…..and be thinking of how “smart” his wife has become….when it comes to eating. Thanks again. Turkey is on my grocery list today!!
Tiffany
You are so welcome Judy! It sounds like you’re making some amazing changes in your home – congrats!!
Anjanette
Tiffany, two of my littles are going to school for the first time this Fall and I needed an idea like this one! Thank you so much!
Tiffany
You’re most welcome Anjanette!
Dena (contributing author)
Brilliant idea, as usual! 🙂 Pinning and sharing!
Tiffany
Thank you Dena!
Helen
This sounds great! Many recipes I have seen in the past were complicated or involved pureeing and shaping meat, which just doesn’t sound appetizing lol
Tiffany
LOL – that doesn’t sound appetizing to me either!
Vampy
Actually to me it sounds great. I was hoping your recipe was for just that. I bought a ham press and it makes ground meat into a loaf you can slice. I just made a ground turkey olive loaf that is great with ketchup on a sandwich. What’s nice about it is when it’s hot and humid and you don’t want to heat up the whole house with the oven you make it in a pan of water on the stove. I put a huge piece of foil over the whole thing to keep the steam in and it helps it cook faster. It came with a meat thermometer so I can tell when it’s done. Unfortunately there aren’t many recipes for these things but if you are creative and can cook you can come up with just about anything. Some ppl make whole roasts in them and you could cook your boneless turkey breast in it too if it fits in it. Like you I’m also trying to cut down on nitrates that are in packaged food. Thanks for posting your idea.
Rach's Recipes
This turned out fantastic! I made it for myself, added some crushed black pepper corns, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss these in toaster with multigrain bread – superb! Thanks for sharing.
Tiffany
You’re most welcome Rach! Thanks for sharing the spice combination you used!
Bethany
Bravo!
Tiffany
Thanks!
Julia
I would love to try this. Could you give specifics on what kind of turkey breast you bought? I’ve bought a few before and they weren’t very good. Maybe it was my cooking method but I would love to know what kind you bought so I could purchase the same kind.
Tiffany
I don’t remember off hand Julia, but I’ll look the next time I’m in Aldi. 🙂
J. West
Honeysuckle white is delicious. Comes with gravy packet I throw I freezer. I’ve been doing this for years. I can slice chicken and beef so thin you could just about read through it but my turkeys always been chunky so thanks for the help with the serrated knife.
Lacey
I love doing turkey this way! I would love if you let us know if you try the beef and how it goes. Do you have any suggestions for ham? I know I’ve seen ham on your menus so have been wondering what you buy or look for when purchasing hams. I don’t even know where to begin. Would much appreciate your advice and guidance?
Tiffany
I’ll definitely update if I try ham or beef Lacey! As for buying it, I aim for the ham steaks and dice them myself. Or I’ll freeze extras from Easter or Christmas and just use those. We honestly don’t eat ham too often, so I haven’t put as much effort into the research as I would say chicken, since we eat that weekly.
Dawn
Thanks for posting this. I also love deli meat but hate nitrates! I am going to put Cajun seasoning on my turkey breast! I also love the price!
Tiffany
Ooh – Cajun seasoning sounds good!
Bethany
This is great! I would love to save some money and be 100% sure that the meat is good to go! Thanks! 🙂
Tiffany
Thanks Bethany!
Megan
Thanks for the post! I have been trying this too. I was also unhappy with the thick or crumbly slices. I am going to try it soon! I haven’t had a good deli sandwich in months!
Tiffany
You’re very welcome Megan! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. 🙂
Wanda
$90 for a single knife is sooooo not in my budget! But I’ll bet my $14 DeliPro will work just fine…even if the slices are a little bit thicker.
Tiffany
Wanda – I totally understand this! My knife set was actually a Christmas gift from my dad 10+ years ago. He’s a chef and told me that a good set of knives is invaluable, and that when you have a good set, they’ll last a lifetime. He has a set he bought when he first starting cooking 30 years ago! We all have priorities of course, but I believe there are some things that are worth spending more on for better quality. 🙂
JoAnn C.
Maybe you can find an electric knife at a garage sale or thrift store. I’m sure that would help make things easier for you. Bummer about those PB&J sandwiches.
Christine Cunningham
Exactly!!! What in the world do Vegan children do at schools which restrict nuts??! That shouldn’t even be LEGAL, to dictate what another child can consume. If a child is THAT allergic, then those parents need to provide a different venue to school their ailing child!! Sorry, just my opinion.
Robin
Bahahaha oh wow. Calm down.
Peanut butter is far from the healthiest choice anyway.
Soy nut butter
Almond butter
Cashew butter
Sunflower butter
Tahini
Biscoff cookie butter
Coconut butter
Hazelnut butter
Don’t worry. It’s totally possible for vegan children to coexist with children who will die if they eat peanuts.
MaineMom
As a Mom of a child with severe food allergies, I really appreciate your compassionate answer. Thank you so much
Charlotte
Soy nut butter and sunflower butter is very unhealthy options actually.
Tiffany
How is sunflower butter unhealthy Charlotte?
Lacy
Yeah. That’s against the law. No discrimination in schools. And even if is wasn’t, it’s ridiculous and really terrible to tell a kid that they can’t go to school bc of an allergy that isn’t their fault. What a horrible thing to say.
Lisa
I can’t even believe your comment about a child with a peanut allergy should find another place to go to school? How insanely selfish of you to think that your need to feed your child peanut butter is more important than my child’s life. Think about that for a second and let that sink in. Selfish and pathetic. I wish you had a child that you had to send to school every day and worry who was going to do something so irresponsible that he might DIE!
Jennifer
I love doing this! Tastes so much better when we know it’s clean eating.
Unfortunately, I love turkey tooooo much to use the whole thing just for lunch meat. I often use the *leftovers* for lunch meat.
Also, we buy lovely eye of round beef roasts whenever we can and make lunch meat out of those leftovers too. And pork tenderloins are always a frugal option here for fun Italian sandwiches with eggplant and onions.
We have an electric knife and electric slicer that work wonders and my husband can slice the meat super thin.
Tiffany
I’ve been wanting to do this with beef too, but wasn’t sure of the cut – thanks for the tip Jennifer! I can only imagine the thinness with an electric slicer!!
Bonnie S Nicholls
I do beef with an eye of the round roast, then slice with my electric food slicer. The slicer was $60 but so worth the money. I use it to make perfect bread slices with my homemade bread as well as for meats and cheeses.
Tiffany
That’s a fantastic idea, Bonnie!
Sarah
This is awesome! I wasn’t sure on the cut of beef either. Do you just oil and salt roast that too? If the turkey comes out and the kids eat it, I’m totally investing in an electric knife.
ariel
The knife she uses costs $71.99 on Amazon. Even with the free shipping, I’ll just cut the turkey slightly thicker. with my easy-to-sharpen hand-me-down.
Tiffany
Sometimes it’s quality over quantity Ariel. I’ve had my knife for 13 years and it’s still going strong!
Suzi
Think this would work with a mandoline for slicing super thin? 🤔
Tiffany
I don’t think so Suzi, unless your mandoline blade was SUPER sharp. But if you try it, please let us know!