Despite some recent struggles, Subway remains a giant in the fast food world. With nearly 24,000 locations, it is the largest restaurant chain in the country, and it brings in billions of dollars in revenue each year. But with great power comes great responsibility, and Subway has not always lived up to its end of the bargain. In particular, the chain hasnt always delivered to its customers the food they think they are getting. Advertisement
Nearly every aspect of a Subway sandwich — the meat, the vegetables, and even the bread — has come under scrutiny for not being what the restaurant claims it to be. In some instances, the company has acknowledged its faults and corrected the problem. Other times, Subway has been defiant and pushed back against accusations. So whether its getting cheated out of an extra inch of sandwich, eating bread filled with unpronounceable ingredients, or devouring tuna that might not actually be tuna, here are a few examples of food at Subway that isnt really what you think it is.
Subway is one of the largest and most popular sandwich chains in the world, known for allowing customers to customize their subs with a variety of meat, cheese, veggie, and sauce options. But a common question many people have is whether all of Subway’s meat offerings are actually made from turkey. The short answer is no – while turkey is a prevalent protein at Subway, it’s far from the only meat option on the menu.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the meats served at Subway including
- The different types of meat Subway offers
- The proportion of turkey versus other meats
- How to tell if your Subway meat is really turkey
- Pros and cons of Subway’s turkey meat
- Other customization options at Subway
So read on to get the full scoop on Subway’s meats and satisfy your curiosity once and for all!
Variety of Meat Options at Subway
While turkey features prominently in Subway’s meat selection, it’s only one part of the protein lineup Here are some of the other meats you’ll find at Subway
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Chicken – Available as roasted chicken strips or chopped chicken for subs
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Ham – Typically Black Forest ham.
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Roast Beef
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Bacon
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Salami
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Pepperoni
So while turkey subs like the Oven Roasted Turkey and Turkey Breast are menu staples, Subway actually offers a diverse meat selection beyond just turkey.
What Proportion of Meat is Turkey?
It’s hard to give an exact breakdown, as it likely varies by location, but reports seem to indicate turkey makes up around 50-60% of the meat at the average Subway. The rest is a mix of the other meats.
So while turkey has a strong presence and may be the most common protein, it’s clearly not the only meat choice available.
How to Tell if it’s Real Turkey
Given that Subway does serve real turkey, how can you identify it and be sure your meat is the real deal? Here are some tips:
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Look at the color – Subway turkey is pale brown or beige when cooked. If your meat is bright red, it’s likely roast beef or salami instead.
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Check for stripes – Sliced turkey will show faint natural stripes in the meat. Solid colors likely mean another meat.
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Ask about preparation – Subway workers can clarify if your meat was prepared as turkey.
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Read labels – Packaging on cooked turkey will be labeled as such.
While it takes some sleuthing, you can definitively verify if you’re getting authentic turkey meat or not.
Pros and Cons of Subway Turkey
Turkey does remain a centerpiece protein at Subway, so it’s worth understanding the pros and cons:
Pros:
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Typically low fat and low calorie
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High in protein
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Subway turkey is real white and dark meat
Cons:
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Can be blander than beef or ham
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Needs toppings for flavor
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Processed deli meat rather than fresh sliced turkey
So while reasonably healthy and an iconic Subway option, the turkey may lack flavor compared to bolder meats.
Customizing Your Subway Order
The good news is you have total flexibility to order any combination of Subway meats you want. So feel free to load up your sub with turkey, roast beef, bacon, and any other proteins your taste buds desire. Some tasty combos include:
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Turkey, bacon, and avocado
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Chicken and roast beef
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Steak and bacon melt
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The combo of your wildest sandwich dreams – the menu’s the limit!
So don’t feel restricted to just turkey – take advantage of the diverse flavors Subway offers.
The Verdict: Turkey is Prominent but Not the Only Meat
While turkey makes up a good portion of Subway’s deli lineup, it’s far from the only protein available. You can find plenty of red meats, chicken, bacon, salami and other options to satisfy any palate. And thanks to Subway’s customize-your-own sandwich approach, feel free to pile your sub high with your ideal meat preferences.
So next time you visit Subway, take a moment to peruse the entire meat selection before deciding whether to stick with tried-and-true turkey or branch out to more adventurous options. No matter what combination of proteins you choose, you’re sure to end up with a fresh and delicious signature sandwich.
Subway’s tuna may not actually be tuna
Subway is no stranger to the accusation that it serves mystery meat. Not too long ago, a Canadian news outlet conducted DNA analysis on the sandwich makers chicken to find that the meat was, in fact, only 50 percent chicken. Subways latest protein controversy centers on the chicken of the sea. A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleges that Subways tuna is not tuna at all. The lawsuit states that the ingredient is “a mixture of various concoctions that do not constitute tuna, yet have been blended together by defendants to imitate the appearance of tuna.” Advertisement
It wouldnt be the first time a restaurant passed off one fish for another. But the most troubling part of this new allegation is the claim that what Subway is calling “tuna” isnt a cheaper fish substitute. Speaking with The Washington Post, an attorney for the plaintiffs claimed lab tests showed the ingredients were “not fish,” declining to say what precisely what they found to be were. This makes one former employees claim that the tuna salad was one bag of tuna and three bags of mayonnaise look like an upgrade.
Subway denied the allegations, but the plaintiffs argued they “were tricked into buying food items that wholly lacked the ingredients they reasonably thought they were purchasing” before the lawsuit was eventually dismissed in 2023. Advertisement
Subway’s fresh food was filled with additives and preservatives
It has historically been a common practice among fast food restaurants to use preservatives and additives in their food, and Subway is no different. But few such eateries advertised their food as “fresh,” which makes Subways actions a little more devious. Advertisement
In addition to the yoga mat chemical, some Subway breads had tasty ingredients such as sodium stearoyl lactylate and ammonium sulfate, both used to help condition the dough. The restaurants protein wasnt any better, containing artificial flavor enhancers such as autolyzed yeast extract, hyrolyzed corn gluten, and hydrolyzed soy protein. CBS News once described Subways meat as, “a processed concoction of actual meat and lots of water thats held together by things like modified food starch and soy protein concentrate, and then goosed with artificial flavorings.”
Those looking at Subway as a healthier quick-serve option will be happy to know the restaurant has said goodbye to these artificial ingredients. In an attempt to get closer to its “Eat Fresh” slogan, Subway announced in 2015 that it would be removing all artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives from its menu by 2017. Advertisement
Why SUBWAY Is Healthier Than You Think – Full Menu Review
FAQ
Is Subway cold cut all turkey?
The Cold Cut Combo Sub from Subway is a sandwich made with ham, salami, and bologna, all turkey-based.
What kind of meat is in Subway?
Turkey Breast – a classic option, made from oven-roasted turkey breast. Steak – thin-sliced and seasoned steak, cooked to order. Ham – made from premium, cooked ham that is sliced thin. Meatball Marinara – Subway’s signature meatballs, topped with marinara sauce.
What meat at Subway is not pork?
Which Subway® menu items are pork-free? The following sandwiches and salads are pork free: Meatball marinara, Cold Cut Trio™ (US only), tuna, roast beef, SUBWAY Seafood & Crab ®, turkey breast, steak & cheese, roasted chicken and sweet onion chicken teriyaki.
Is turkey meat from Subway healthy?
The Turkey Breast sandwich is part of the Fresh Fit menu. With 280 calories and 18 grams of protein, this is a great choice if you’re looking for a healthy lunch. The next time you’re at Subway and want to eat clean, order any of these healthy sandwiches for a flavorful, filling meal.
Is subway meat turkey based?
Not all of the meats at Subway are turkey based but, some people may be surprised to find out that all of the meats in the Cold Cut Combo are turkey-based. The turkey meat that is available at Subway is processed with real turkey meat and other ingredients. The salami that is included in the Cold Cut Combo sub is a turkey-based salami.
What kind of meat does subway have?
The Subway Club comes with Oven Roasted Turkey, Black Forest Ham, and Roast Beef. The Turkey Italiano at Subway comes with Roasted Turkey, Genoa Salami, and Spicy Pepperoni. Subway meats are supplied by many different manufacturers including big names like Perdue and West Liberty Foods.
Does subway have Turkey?
While real, Subway’s turkey has some downsides to consider: Turkey production uses more antibiotics than chicken or pork. Look for antibiotic-free subs. Deli meats contain added nitrates/nitrites to inhibit botulism. Some studies link these to cancer. Bren-injection of turkey breeds more sodium than no-brine brands.
Is subway Turkey good?
Shorter aging periods for quick sandwich prep. Pre-sliced deli meat rather than freshly carved. So Subway’s new turkey beats processed meat mixes, but traditional turkeys it is not. Still, as fast food ingredients go, it’s reasonably good quality for the price.
Is subway Turkey real?
Here are the key factors that suggest today’s Subway turkey is real: Ingredients List: Turkey breast is now the first and only meat ingredient listed. Improved Texture: Customers note the new turkey tastes less processed and has a more natural texture. Higher Costs: Real turkey breast costs more than processed meat mixtures.
Is subway meat real?
It depends on what you consider real, the meat at Subway is often processed containing other ingredients, preservatives, and fillers making them not 100% meat like a slice of turkey breast. The meat at Subway is still real food and real meat but, may be viewed differently by each person.