What is Salsalito Turkey? A Guide to the Bold and Zesty Deli Meat

Salsalito turkey is a popular delicatessen meat that brings a delicious southwestern flair to sandwiches, wraps, salads and more. If you’ve noticed those flecks of red and green in the turkey at your local deli counter and wondered what makes this variety unique, read on to learn all about Salsalito turkey.

Salsalito turkey starts with premium sliced turkey breast that is carefully seasoned and smoked to add incredible flavor. It gets its name from the coastal California town of Salsalito, known for its fusion of Mexican and Spanish influences. Salsalito turkey aims to capture the essence of this regional taste.

To give the turkey its signature kick it is coated with a zesty salsa made from jalapeño peppers onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and cilantro. When layered on sandwiches or used in other dishes, this mixture provides a subtle heat along with sweet, savory, and herbal notes. The medley of flavors and textures takes turkey from boring to bold.

According to major brands like Boar’s Head Salsalito turkey contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It is also nitrate-free, gluten-free, and lower in fat than many deli meats, making it a smart choice for health-conscious eaters.

The History and Origins

Salsalito turkey traces its inspiration back to the diverse food cultures of the American Southwest. This region blends Mexican, Spanish Native American and cowboy culinary influences to create iconic spicy and flavorful dishes. Salsalito turkey aims to capture the essence of Southwestern cuisine in easy-to-eat lunch meat form.

While the turkey takes cues from regional flavors, it is a more recent invention to meet consumer demand for exciting deli options. Major brands developed Salsalito turkey nationally in the 1990s and 2000s as an alternative to regular turkey breast. Its popularity has steadily grown over the past couple decades.

What Makes Salsalito Turkey Different

There are a few key factors that set Salsalito turkey apart from regular sliced turkey:

• Spicy salsa seasoning – The mix of jalapeño, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and cilantro gives Salsalito turkey a mild kick of heat and tons of extra flavor.

• Textured appearance – Flecks of red and green make for a more visually appealing look compared to plain turkey.

• Satisfying crunch – The vegetables in the salsa provide a pleasant crunch that contrasts the soft turkey.

• Regional inspiration – The overall flavor profile evokes the tastes of the American Southwest.

• Bolder flavor – The seasoned coating makes Salsalito turkey a lot more interesting and appetizing than regular turkey.

Salsalito turkey simply has so much more going on in terms of taste, texture, and appearance.

Nutritional Profile

Despite the bold flavor, Salsalito turkey is still nutritionally similar to regular turkey deli meat:

• 60 calories per 2 oz serving
• 13g protein
• Less than 0.5g fat
• Less than 1g carbs
• 480mg sodium

The sodium content is higher than plain turkey due to the salsa seasoning. But overall, Salsalito turkey remains very low in calories, fat, and carbs. The zesty taste makes it seem more indulgent than the nutrition label indicates.

How to Use Salsalito Turkey

The possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to enjoying Salsalito turkey:

• Sandwiches – Starring in sandwiches and wraps allows the Salsalito turkey flavor to shine. Add cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado and other favorite toppings.

• Salads – Diced Salsalito turkey elevates grain bowls and chef salads with extra protein and flavor.

• Snacks – Enjoy satisfying slices of Salsalito turkey on their own or with crackers.

• Quesadillas – Diced turkey and melted cheese tucked in a quesadilla is amazing.

• Breakfast – Add some excitement to egg scrambles, burritos, and breakfast pizzas.

• Pizza – Salsalito turkey makes a delicious meat topping for homemade or frozen pizzas.

• Casseroles – Incorporate diced turkey into enchiladas, pasta bakes, pot pies, and more.

With its versatility, you can easily spice up everyday meals by swapping in Salsalito turkey.

Where to Buy Salsalito Turkey

The good news is Salsalito turkey is readily available at most major grocery store chains. Popular brands like Boar’s Head, Kroger, and Roasted Perfect carry it. You’ll find Salsalito turkey in the packaged deli meat section, often near the other flavored turkey varieties.

If your local grocer doesn’t stock it, ask the deli counter if they can order it. Specialty food stores and online grocers like Amazon also carry Salsalito turkey. Consider buying a whole roasted turkey breast and slicing it yourself for maximum freshness.

Serving and Cooking Tips

To enjoy Salsalito turkey at its finest, just follow these quick tips:

• Allow refrigerated turkey to come to room temp before eating for best flavor.

• Consume opened packages within 3-5 days for optimal freshness.

• Add Salsalito turkey at the end of cooking when using in recipes to avoid overcooking.

• Slice thinner for sandwiches, dice for salads, and shred for tacos or enchiladas.

• Pair Salsalito turkey with avocado, pepper jack cheese, bell peppers, onion, cilantro, and chipotle or southwest seasonings.

By properly storing, handling, and complementing the flavors, you can enjoy this turkey at maximum deliciousness!

Creative Ways to Use Leftovers

Like regular turkey, Salsalito turkey leftovers make excellent sandwiches, casseroles, and soup. But here are some more unique ways to reuse them:

• Turkey breakfast tacos or burritos with scrambled eggs

• Turkey alfredo with pasta and veggies

• Pot pies or empanadas filled with turkey and cheese

• Hearty turkey chili

• Turkeyclub flatbread pizza

• Buffalo turkey wraps with ranch dressing

With endless possibilities, creative cooks can transform leftover Salsalito turkey into all sorts of meals throughout the week.

Is Salsalito Turkey Right for You?

If you find regular deli turkey a bit boring, Salsalito turkey could be the perfect choice to spice up your sandwiches, salads, and recipes. The smoky, mildly spicy seasoning makes it so much more satisfying. Beyond the bolder flavor, it offers the same convenience and nutrition as regular turkey lunch meat.

Next time you’re shopping for deli meats, consider picking up some Salsalito turkey for a flavor adventure. A few simple slices can transform an ordinary sandwich into something crave-worthy. It also adds a tasty protein punch to wraps, snacks, salads, and beyond.

For those bored with bland turkey, the Salsalito variety finally makes deli turkey exciting. With its Southwestern zest and heat, you may find yourself choosing it over hamburgers or other higher-fat options. So embrace the flecks of red and green and get ready to fall in love with turkey again!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about Salsalito turkey:

What is Salsalito turkey made of?

Salsalito turkey is made from seasoned and smoked sliced turkey breast. The signature salsa seasoning contains jalapeño peppers, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and cilantro.

Is Salsalito turkey spicy?

It has a mild spicy kick from the jalapeño peppers used in the salsa seasoning. The level of heat can vary slightly by brand. It offers just enough zest without being overly spicy.

Does Salsalito turkey need to be refrigerated?

Yes, it should be stored sealed in the refrigerator at 40°F or below and used by the expiration date printed on the package. For best quality, use opened packages within 3-5 days.

Can you freeze Salsalito turkey?

Absolutely. It freezes well for 3-4 months when properly wrapped. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.

Is Salsalito turkey gluten-free?

Most Salsalito turkey is naturally gluten-free. But always check the ingredients on your specific package to confirm there are no gluten-containing additives. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use extra caution.

How many calories are in Salsalito turkey?

A 2 oz serving contains around 60 calories, making it a low-calorie choice. It also has 13g of protein with less than 0.5g fat and 1g carbs.

What are some substitute names for Salsalito turkey?

It may also be called Fiesta turkey, Santa Fe turkey, or Southwest turkey depending on the brand. But Salsalito is the most common name.

So for a delicious turkey lunch meat that goes beyond basic, look for the signature red and green specks of zesty Salsalito turkey next time you shop!