You have a lot of options when it comes to getting a sub sandwich, and Jersey Mikes is a favorite for many people, for sure. With over 2,800 locations in the United States and hundreds more in the pipeline, Jersey Mikes has grown a robust following since the very first location opened in 1956, in — where else? — New Jersey (safe to say its no longer just a regional fast food chain).
However, whether you love Jersey Mikes for its tasty “Mikes Way” addition to each sub, adding a zingy blend of vinegar, oil, and spices to every sandwich, you appreciate the sub chains gluten-free options, or you cant get enough of the robust cheesesteak selection, Jersey Mikes isnt all good and no bad. There are actually a few menu items that you might want to reconsider ordering in the future — for reasons that include your health and just plain poor quality. These are the things you should think twice about ordering from Jersey Mikes.
Is Jersey Mike’s Turkey Processed? Getting the Facts on Their Deli Meat
Jersey Mike’s is one of the most popular subs chains around, known for their fresh sliced subs stacked sky-high with quality meats, cheeses, and veggies Their tasty #7 Turkey and Provolone sub is a huge hit But an important question has come up – is Jersey Mike’s turkey processed?
In this article, we’ll investigate how Jersey Mike’s prepares and handles their turkey to determine if it can be considered a processed meat. We’ll also look at the health implications of processed meats and how to make informed choices when eating at Jersey Mike’s.
Defining Processed Meat
Before deciding if Jersey Mike’s turkey is processed, let’s clarify what “processed meat” means.
Processed meats are those that have been modified from their natural state in some way, including:
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Curing, smoking, salting, or adding preservatives to enhance flavor and prolong shelf life.
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Emulsifying to evenly incorporate fat and improve texture.
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Drying, canning, or other methods to extend shelf life.
So if a meat has gone through any of those processes, it would be categorized as processed.
Examining Jersey Mike’s Turkey Preparation
According to Jersey Mike’s website, their turkey breast meat is:
- Sliced and prepared fresh in-store daily
- Free of nitrates and nitrites
- 99% fat-free
- Free of artificial preservatives
While their turkey is minimally processed, it does seem to undergo some processing:
Curing – Curing refers to preserving meat with salt for flavor and shelf life. Jersey Mike’s turkey appears cured with sea salt.
Smoking – Smoking infuses flavor and preserves meat. It’s unclear if Jersey Mike’s smokes their turkey.
Cooking – Cooked meat is considered processed. Jersey Mike’s states their turkey is “fully cooked.”
So while they avoid concerning additives like nitrites, their turkey does seem to be processed via curing, potential smoking, and cooking methods. Next we’ll look at how minimal processing affects health.
Health Impacts of Minimally Processed Deli Meats
The amount of processing influences the health effects of deli meats:
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Heavily processed meats with added preservatives like nitrites have stronger ties to issues like heart disease and cancer.
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Minimally processed meats without these additives pose fewer risks, especially in moderation.
Since Jersey Mike’s turkey avoids nitrites and additives, it would be minimally processed. Some benefits of their turkey:
- High in protein for satiety and muscle repair.
- Low in fat and calories for weight management.
- Free of concerning preservatives like nitrites.
- Lower in sodium than many cured meats.
However, some cautions with frequent intake:
- Saturated fat and sodium could still be high for certain diets.
- Can contain trace preservatives from smoking.
- Heated and cured meats may still increase cancer risks regularly.
Overall, Jersey Mike’s turkey is likely one of the healthier processed deli options when eaten occasionally within a balanced diet. But it still requires caution and moderation.
Tips for Healthy Sandwich Choices at Jersey Mike’s
You don’t have to avoid Jersey Mike’s subs completely for health. Here are some tips to build a better sub:
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Opt for a mini or regular size to control portions. Their giant subs can lead to overeating.
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Choose a whole wheat or multigrain roll for more fiber.
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Load up on veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers and olives for nutrients and crunch.
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Consider adding avocado for healthy fats.
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Pick mustard over mayo-based sauces.
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Select leaner meats like turkey, chicken or ham over higher-fat choices.
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Limit cheese or ask for it on the side to control calories.
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Watch sodium from pickles, olives, meats and dressings.
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Make a salad sub on lettuce wraps instead of bread for a low-carb option.
The Verdict on Jersey Mike’s Turkey
Jersey Mike’s Turkey: Getting the Facts
FAQ
Is the meat from Jersey Mike’s processed?
Jersey Mike’s uses fresh-sliced meats and cheeses. The bread is baked in-house daily. The meats and cheeses are high-quality and flavorful. So while they undergo some processing like curing and cooking, they avoid highly processed additives.
How can you tell if turkey is processed?
Read the label. Check for words like nitrate, nitrite, cured or salted. If you see those, it is a processed meat and should be limited. Jersey Mike’s turkey avoids these concerning additives.
Is Jersey Mike’s turkey real turkey?
Yes, Jersey Mike’s uses real sliced turkey breast meat. It’s 99% fat-free turkey breast that is flavorful and high-quality.
Is all deli turkey meat processed?
Yes. All deli meats undergo some level of processing like curing, smoking or cooking to enhance flavor and prolong shelf life. But some are more highly processed than others based on additives used.
Does Jersey Mike’s have meatless options?
Yes. In 2022 Jersey Mike’s added grilled portobello mushroom subs to their permanent menu due to popularity. Options include the Portobello & Swiss sub, Portobello Philly cheesesteak, and Portobello Chicken Philly cheesesteak for plant-based alternatives.
What is Jersey Mike’s “Mike’s Way”?
“Mike’s Way” refers to their classic sub style of adding onions, lettuce, tomatoes, oil, vinegar and spices. The protein is up to the customer, whether roast beef, turkey, tuna or something else. According to Jersey Mike’s, the “Mike’s Way” sub is their most popular menu item.
Does Jersey Mike’s still hand slice meats and cheeses?
Yes. Jersey Mike’s prides itself on hand slicing meats and cheeses in-store daily. They state their meats and cheeses are top-quality and prepared fresh for each order.
Why did some Jersey Mike’s locations close in the 90s?
In the early 90s a recession impacted the United States. Jersey Mike’s had invested heavily in expanding locations but had little money left when hard times hit. Some stores closed but the business ultimately recovered and has seen tremendous growth since, while staying true to quality ingredients.
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The grilled Italian sub
The grilled Italian sub at Jersey Mikes does not fare much better. While it doesnt have as many processed meats, and just sticks with ham, pepperoni, and salami, it somehow contains even more sodium than the original Italian sub, with 2,796 milligrams in a regular-sized sub. A quick look at the nutrition facts for both subs shows that this is because, while the grilled Italian sub doesnt contain the variety of processed meats that the original Italian sub does, the former actually contains greater quantities of high-sodium processed meats, like ham.
The grilled Italian sub also contains about 100 more calories than the original Italian sub, at 1,040 — so a little over half your daily allotment if youre following a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet.
If youre really craving Italian flavors, your best bet is to simply go with whats called “the number four.” This cold sub still contains cappacuolo and prosciuttini, but a lessened 1,747 milligrams of sodium (better, if not great) and 760 calories.
The club supreme sub
Theres the Jersey Mikes club sub and then theres the Jersey Mikes club supreme sub, which takes things to an entirely new level of decadence, swapping out the formers ham for roast beef and the provolone for Swiss. What you end up with is a pretty stacked sub that combines roast beef, turkey, and bacon with cheesy, mayo-y goodness. You also, though, end up with more calories — to the tune of 1,140 in the club supreme sub, making this one of the more calorie-rich options among Jersey Mikes cold sandwiches.
The culprit thats adding the most calories to this sub? While the white bread technically accounts for the most calories in this menu item, the mayo accounts for nearly the same amount. If you opt to leave the mayo off this sub, youll save yourself a cool 260 calories — and when the sub already contains Jersey Mikes olive oil blend, do you really need the mayo anyway?
Jersey Mike’s Turkey Sub #foodie #jerseymikes #turkeysub #asmr #lunchtime
FAQ
Is the meat from Jersey Mike’s processed?
Jersey Mike’s uses fresh-sliced meats and cheeses, and the bread is baked in-house daily. The meats and cheeses are high-quality and flavorful, and the bread is soft and flavorful.
Does Jersey Mike’s turkey have preservatives?
Our turkey is hormone free, no nitrates, no artificial preservative, low cholesterol and 99% fat free.
How do you know if turkey is processed?
If you look at the label of even ‘oven roasted’ sliced turkey, you’re likely to see ingredients such as salt, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, or potassium chloride. These are used to salt meats—meaning the turkey is processed.
Is all turkey deli meat processed?
Yes. All deli meat is ”processed”. But processed isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, it’s a safe thing.
Does Jersey Mike’s sell meat?
Jersey Mike’s does sell meat. Both processed meats are used in their restaurants. More nutritional information for Jersey Mike’s can be found here. Jersey Mike’s has a long history of entrepreneurship and delicious sub sandwiches.
What makes Jersey Mike’s meat so good?
Jersey Mike’s takes pride in its commitment to quality and only sources meat from reputable suppliers. They have strict guidelines in place to ensure that the processing of the meat meets their high standards. Additionally, the meat is sliced and prepared in each store, ensuring that it is as fresh as possible for customers.
Does Jersey Mike’s use cheese?
It is important to note that Jersey Mike’s does use processed meats and sauces, cheeses, and other ingredients containing artificial ingredients. If you are looking to make a healthier choice at Jersey Mike’s, it may be best to avoid cheese and other unhealthy ingredients. The sandwiches at Jersey Mike’s are handmade in front of you.
Does Jersey Mike’s have fermented food?
This sub does feature fermented foods known to be good for gut health. Turkey and Provolone: One of the cold subs you can find at Jersey Mike’s, this relatively healthy sandwich uses turkey breast, which is natural and contains no additives. The sub does, however, have 780 calories per serving with 8g of saturated fat and 1g of trans fat.
Are Jersey Mike’s sandwiches gluten-free?
While the meats themselves are gluten-free, cross-contamination can occur as many of their sandwiches are prepared in a shared kitchen. It is advisable to inform the staff if you have specific dietary restrictions. 6. Are the meats at Jersey Mike’s organic? Currently, Jersey Mike’s does not offer organic meats.
Does Jersey Mike’s offer sub sandwiches?
Jersey Mike’s is known for its sub sandwiches and entrepreneurship. They use private labeled meats and cheeses for each sandwich, which are sliced fresh and piled high on in-store baked bread. Jersey Mike’s is asking for a tip.