You may have noticed turkey ham sitting in the deli aisle of your grocery store and thought to yourself: What in the world is that? At first glance, it makes about as much sense as a product labeled “chicken beef” or “salmon pork” — and besides, ham is legally required to be made with the thigh meat of a pig. But rest assured, turkey ham is made from turkey. Theres no pork in it.
Its a similar type of confusion as the kind associated with almond milk and other non-dairy milk alternatives. According to a 1976 New York Times report, turkey ham caused legal troubles with pork producers similar to the ones non-dairy milks have had with dairy companies today. Obviously, turkey ham was able to keep its name, or we wouldnt know it as such today. But turkey ham products are now required to include a subheading of “cured turkey thigh meat” as a result of those legal troubles — just to clarify exactly what it is.
How to cook with turkey ham
When purchased as deli slices, turkey ham is most often used in sandwiches. Grab some bread, some of your favorite toppings, and some mayonnaise — and there you go. But just because the classic use of turkey ham is a sandwich doesnt mean you cant get creative. Turkey ham can be incorporated into mashed potatoes, pasta salads, and omelets, too.
Of course, you can also try substituting turkey ham whenever you are making a recipe that calls for traditional ham. You may be familiar with the slight taste and texture differences between bacon and turkey bacon, and while the difference here isnt quite as extreme, there are similarities to how ham and turkey ham compare. They can otherwise be used fairly interchangeably. Turkey ham and traditional ham have similar textures, and since turkey ham is made with the same process as regular ham, they have similar flavors — so you likely wont even need to adjust your recipe if youre trying to swap one meat for the other.
How is turkey ham made?
Since turkey ham is made to imitate the flavor and texture of regular ham, its prepared in a similar way. Ham can be prepared in many different ways, but the birds eye view of the process of making boneless ham is that its cured, smoked, or both.
For turkey ham, the turkey thigh meat is first deboned. Its then cured by injecting a mixture of salt, sugar, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, sodium phosphate, sodium nitrite, potassium lactate, and water into the meat. Curing meat is a process of food preservation that dates back to 3,000 B.C. There are both wet and dry curing methods; dry curing meat involves rubbing a mixture of salt and seasonings on the outside of the meat, while wet curing, though similar, adds water to make a brine. Turkey ham uses a wet method, as does traditional ham. The turkey is submerged in the brine and left to rest for several hours; afterward, the meat is cooked, completing the cure.
Meet The Ham Fam: Honey Baked Turkey Breast
FAQ
Is turkey ham and turkey breast different?
What kind of meat is turkey ham?
Does turkey ham still exist?
Is turkey breast ham healthy?
What is the difference between Turkey meat and Ham?
Turkey meat and ham are low in carbs, high in proteins, and both have rich vitamin and mineral profiles although a difference exists between them. For example, turkey meat is richer in proteins however it has a higher fat content and it is higher in cholesterol. They are a good source of protein when consumed in moderation.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
What is a turkey ham?
Answer (1 of 2): A turkey ham is a cut of meat that is made from the turkey thigh. This cut of meat is available in a variety of sizes.Turkey ham is smoked and cured. This is a lean cut of meat, and most pieces are up to 95 percent fat-free.Turkey ham is a healthier alternative to pork ham, which
Is Turkey better than Ham?
Overall, turkey is recommended over ham for nutrition. However, this is based on sodium content. Ham is very high in sodium, but it is rich in zinc, potassium, and iron. Ham has been used for generations to add salt and flavor to other dishes. That being the case, be very careful adding additional salt to ham and to dishes that you’ve added ham to.