A Complete Guide to Kirkland Sliced Turkey Breast

Kirkland sliced turkey breast has become a popular deli meat option for many shoppers at Costco. As part of Costco’s in-house Kirkland brand, the pre-packaged sliced turkey offers convenience and seems like a healthy protein choice. However, there are some important things to consider before adding Kirkland’s sliced turkey breast to your shopping cart. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at Kirkland sliced turkey breast, its pros and cons, cost, ingredients, nutrition facts, and how it compares to other turkey options.

Overview of Kirkland Sliced Turkey Breast

Kirkland Signature Oven Roasted Sliced Turkey Breast comes packaged in 14 oz resealable packs containing about 20 slices. It’s fully cooked so it’s ready to eat right out of the package. Turkey breast is a lean protein that’s relatively low in fat and calories, making it a go-to choice for many health-conscious consumers. The Kirkland version provides the convenience of already being sliced and packaged for sandwiches, wraps salads and other quick meals.

At first glance, Kirkland turkey breast slices seem like an easy and nutritious choice But there are some potential drawbacks to consider before purchasing Let’s explore the pros and cons of this popular Costco product.

The Pros

• Convenience: Having pre-cooked, pre-sliced turkey breast saves time and prep work. You don’t have to cook, slice and package the meat yourself.

• Lean protein: Turkey breast is a leaner cut of meat with less fat than other protein sources. Kirkland turkey only has 1g of fat per 2-slice serving.

• Lower calorie: With 60 calories per 2 slices, this turkey can fit into a calorie-controlled diet.

• Cost-effective: As a Kirkland brand product at Costco, it’s very competitively priced compared to other pre-packaged deli meats.

The Cons

• High sodium content: The main drawback is the very high sodium level. Each 2-slice serving provides 460mg sodium, which is nearly 20% of the daily recommended value.

• Preservatives: To extend shelf life, preservatives like sodium nitrite are used. There are health concerns around regularly consuming these chemical additives.

• Lacks nutrients: Plain turkey breast lacks the nutrients of turkey with the skin on. It’s just the protein.

• Can be bland: Without extra flavor, the plain sliced turkey can be boring or unsatisfying for some people.

So how do the pros and cons balance out? Should you include Kirkland sliced turkey breast in your grocery cart or look for alternatives? Let’s take a deeper look.

Should You Buy Kirkland Sliced Turkey Breast?

There are a few key factors that can help you decide if Kirkland sliced turkey breast is a smart choice or not.

Your Sodium Intake

The very high sodium levels in Kirkland turkey breast may be concerning, especially if you already consume a lot of sodium or need to restrict it for health reasons. Consuming high sodium foods regularly can contribute to high blood pressure in some individuals. If your total sodium intake is within the recommended limits, the Kirkland turkey can be fine in moderation. But pay close attention to your overall dietary sodium from all sources.

How You Use It

Think about how you typically use sliced turkey. Do you often combine it with lower sodium ingredients like fresh veggies, cheese, mustard, etc? If so, this can help balance out the sodium content. But if you eat plain Kirkland turkey slices frequently, you’ll get the full 460mg sodium load each time. In this case, a lower sodium alternative may be best.

Your Budget

Cost is a practical consideration. If you’re on a tight grocery budget, Kirkland turkey breast provides inexpensive protein. It may offer more value than pricier name brand packaged turkey. However, there are lower sodium options that can work within many budgets, like fresh turkey you slice yourself or brands with lower sodium.

Nutritional Priorities

Consider your overall nutritional needs and priorities. If your main goal is getting lean protein, Kirkland turkey could be a good option. But if you want more nutrients and minimal preservatives, you may want to spend your money elsewhere. Understand your health goals to determine if the pros outweigh the cons.

Healthier Alternatives to Kirkland Turkey Breast

If you decide Kirkland turkey isn’t the best choice, here are some healthier sliced turkey options:

• Fresh turkey breast without preservatives that you slice yourself
• Lower sodium sliced turkey (300mg or less per serving)
• Rotisserie turkey breast or other lean pre-cooked turkey
• Canned turkey breast packed in water
• Other lean proteins like chicken breast, roast beef, tuna
• Higher nutrient proteins like sardines, salmon, eggs, Greek yogurt

Making your own turkey breast and slicing it yourself is one of the healthiest and most cost-effective options. But for convenience, look for lower sodium brands or try different proteins for more nutrient variety.

Kirkland Turkey Breast Nutrition Facts

Understanding the nutrition facts label is key to evaluating any packaged food product. Here are the nutrition facts per 2-slice (56g) serving of Kirkland Signature Oven Roasted Sliced Turkey Breast:

• Calories: 60
• Total Fat: 1g
• Sodium: 460mg
• Total Carbs: 1g
• Protein: 13g

With 460mg of sodium per serving, this turkey packs nearly 20% of the daily recommended value. It provides 13g of lean protein but lacks other nutrients found in turkey with the skin on.

Kirkland Turkey Breast Ingredients

Reading the ingredient list gives insight into any processed foods. Here are the ingredients in Kirkland oven roasted sliced turkey breast:

• Turkey breast
• Turkey flavor
• 2% or less of: salt, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, modified food starch, brown sugar, sodium phosphate
• Browning in soybean oil

The main components are simply turkey breast along with small amounts of natural flavorings. However, Kirkland turkey does contain chemical preservatives like sodium phosphate and sodium nitrite to extend shelf life. Some consumers prefer to avoid these additives when possible.

Cost of Kirkland Turkey Breast at Costco

As a Kirkland Signature brand product exclusive to Costco, the pricing for turkey breast slices is very competitive. Here are the current prices:

• $4.79 per lb
• $9.59 for a 2-pack of 14 oz (1 lb) packages

This makes Kirkland one of the most budget-friendly pre-packaged sliced turkey options. At under $5 per pound, it can be cost-effective, especially when bought in bulk. However, you can likely find raw turkey breast for around the same price per pound or less.

How to Store Kirkland Turkey Breast

To maintain freshness and quality, proper storage is important for any deli meat. Here are some tips for storing Kirkland oven roasted turkey breast:

• Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below
• Store unopened packages in the back of the fridge furthest from the door
• Once opened, reseal package tightly and use within 3-5 days
• Do not freeze (freezing causes texture changes)
• Look for a “use by” date and consume before that date

Also, take care not to contaminate surfaces and utensils that touch the raw turkey juices. Always wash hands after handling.

Is Kirkland Turkey Breast Healthy?

At just 60 calories and 1g fat per serving, Kirkland turkey breast is lean and relatively low calorie. But with 460mg sodium per serving and preservatives, it may not align with some definitions of healthy. For sodium-sensitive individuals or those avoiding chemical additives, other options would be healthier. But in moderation, it can fit into an overall balanced diet.

The Bottom Line

Kirkland Signature Oven Roasted Sliced Turkey Breast is undoubtedly convenient and budget-friendly. But its high sodium content is a definite downside, especially for regular consumption. Consider your specific nutritional needs, sodium intake, priorities, and how you use deli meats. If Kirkland turkey doesn’t seem like the best fit, explore some healthier sliced turkey alternatives. Be an informed shopper and choose the option that aligns with your dietary needs and goals.

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