Where to Buy the Best Turkey Pastrami for Sandwiches, Charcuterie Boards, and More

Turkey pastrami is a delicious alternative to traditional beef pastrami. It has a similar spice rub and smoky flavor, but is lower in fat and calories. I’m a big fan of turkey pastrami because it allows me to enjoy pastrami flavors on sandwiches and charcuterie boards, while still eating a relatively healthy protein. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about buying the best turkey pastrami for your needs.

What is Turkey Pastrami?

Turkey pastrami is made by curing turkey breast meat with a dry rub of spices like black pepper coriander garlic powder, brown sugar, and allspice. It is then smoked to give it that distinctive pastrami flavor. The end result is turkey breast that mimics the texture and smokiness of beef pastrami, but is lighter tasting and lower in fat. Turkey pastrami makes an excellent sandwich meat or addition to a charcuterie spread.

Benefits of Choosing Turkey Pastrami

There are a few key benefits that make turkey pastrami an appealing choice over beef pastrami:

• Lower in fat and calories – A 3 ounce serving of turkey pastrami contains about 1 gram of fat and 90 calories The same serving size of beef pastrami has around 6 grams of fat and 158 calories

• Higher in protein – Turkey pastrami packs around 21 grams of protein per 3 ounce serving. This makes it an excellent choice for boosting your daily protein intake.

• Lower in sodium – While still relatively high in sodium, turkey pastrami has less than traditional beef pastrami. Choosing lower sodium varieties can further reduce the sodium content.

• More budget-friendly – Good quality turkey pastrami is generally cheaper per pound than high-end beef pastrami. This makes it easier to enjoy pastrami flavors on a budget.

So if you are looking for a leaner smoked meat option, turkey pastrami is a smart choice. The flavor is remarkably similar to beef pastrami, but with a lighter nutrition profile.

Where to Buy Turkey Pastrami

Now that you know the benefits of turkey pastrami, let’s discuss the best places to buy it. Here are some of my favorite options for finding high quality turkey pastrami:

Grocery Store Deli Counters

Stop by the deli counter at your local grocery store and ask if they carry turkey pastrami. Many standard grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, etc. will slice fresh turkey pastrami in the deli section. This allows you to purchase exactly how much you need, and you can get it sliced to your desired thickness. Keep an eye out for premium brands like Diestel, Applegate, and Niman Ranch for higher quality.

The downside to the deli counter is that the options may be limited. If you want a specific flavor or brand of turkey pastrami, you may need to consider other options.

Specialty Grocery Stores

Check the pre-packaged lunch meat section at specialty grocers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Earth Fare, and Trader Joe’s. These stores often carry pre-sliced pastrami in varieties like peppered, spiced, or honey glazed. Diestel and other premium turkey pastrami brands are available.

The advantage of the pre-packaged options is you can find more flavor varieties. Just note that the slices may not be as thick as you can get from the deli counter. Prices may also be a little higher than standard grocers.

Online Mail Order

Several online butchers and specialty food retailers now offer mail order turkey pastrami. This is a good option if you can’t find a specific brand locally. For example, you can order directly from Diestel Turkey Ranch to get their pasture-raised pastrami shipped frozen to your door. Other mail order options include D’Artagnan and Schaller & Weber.

The benefit of online ordering is access to premium turkey pastrami brands and specialty flavors. Just keep in mind the added costs for frozen shipping.

Butcher Shops or Farmers Markets

For a truly local turkey pastrami, check with local butcher shops in your area. Many butchers are smoking their own pastrami in-house these days. You may even find some made from locally-raised turkeys.

Farmers markets are another place to look for artisanal turkey pastrami. Chat with the vendors to learn more about their smoking process and turkey sourcing.

The downside is turkey pastrami can be hard to find from smaller producers. You may need to special order it or buy when you see it available. But for the best freshness and supporting local businesses, specialty butchers and farmers markets are a great option.

Order Online from Amazon or Other Retailers

If you have trouble finding turkey pastrami locally, ordering online is always an option. Amazon has a huge selection of brands available for delivery direct to your door. Walmart, Target, FreshDirect and other major retailers also carry various turkey pastrami products for online ordering and delivery.

Just make sure to factor in the added shipping costs when pricing out your options. And always properly refrigerate the turkey pastrami immediately upon delivery.

Best Brands of Turkey Pastrami

Now that you know where to buy turkey pastrami, let’s explore some of the top brands making high-quality pastrami:

Diestel Family Ranch

Diestel is my personal favorite brand for premium turkey pastrami. They raise heritage breed turkeys on a vegetarian diet at their family-owned ranch in California. Their pastrami is dry cured with juniper berries and pickling spices, then slow-smoked over red oak and wine barrels. The end result is tender slices with the perfect kiss of smoke. Diestel pastrami has excellent flavor and texture.

Niman Ranch

For humanely-raised turkey, Niman Ranch is a leader in the industry. Their pasture-raised turkeys are minimally processed with no artificial ingredients. Niman Ranch turkey pastrami is dry cured with brown sugar and spices, then naturally hardwood smoked. It has a nice peppery bite and intense smoky aroma.

Applegate Organics

Applegate makes high-quality organic and natural meats, including turkey pastrami. They use organic spices to cure and smoke their pastrami. Applegate turkey pastrami has a rich blend of flavors with a nice texture. As an added bonus, Applegate’s turkey is certified humane and non-GMO.

Wellshire Farms

This Colorado-based company makes premium deli meats and hot dogs. Their turkey pastrami is dry rubbed with spices and smoked over a mix of hickory and maple. Wellshire Farms pastrami has a distinctive maple sweetness balanced by savory spices and smoke. It’s also certified humane and gluten-free.

Olive Wood Roasted Turkey

For ultra-premium pastrami, Olive Wood employs old world artisanal techniques. They dry cure turkey legs with Mediterranean spices, then cold smoke for 12+ hours over California red wine barrels. The incredibly long smoking time gives Olive Wood pastrami intense smoky depth. It’s on the pricier side but superb flavor.

What to Look for When Buying

Now that you know where to buy and the best brands, keep these tips in mind when purchasing turkey pastrami:

• Check the ingredients list. Look for turkey cured with basic spices rather than artificial additives.

• Seek out “uncured” options without added nitrates or nitrites. Nitrite-free products will have a natural pink hue from the spices rather than bright red coloring.

• Look for certification logos like “Animal Welfare Approved” or “Certified Humane” to ensure humane turkey raising practices.

• Inspect the nutrition label. Pick a turkey pastrami with lower fat, sodium, and no added sugars.

• Opt for premium heritage breed turkeys like Bourbon Red or Standard Bronze for better flavor and texture.

• For maximum freshness and shelf life, try to buy sliced turkey pastrami from the deli counter rather than pre-packaged.

Prices for Turkey Pastrami

The price for turkey pastrami can range quite a bit based on the brand, source, and quality. Here is what you can generally expect to pay:

• Standard grocery deli counter – $7 to $12 per pound

• Pre-packaged grocery store – $5 to $9 for a 7-8 ounce pack

• Specialty grocers – $10 to $15+ per pound

• Online mail order – $12 to $19 per pound

• Farmers market – $15+ per pound

Of course, boutique brands from small meat producers will fall on the higher end of these ranges. While basic pre-packaged mass market deli meats will cost less. Ultimately you get what you pay for when it comes to quality.

How to Store Turkey Pastrami

Properly storing your turkey pastrami is important for both food safety and maximizing shelf life. Here are some storage tips:

• Keep turkey pastrami refrigerated at all times until ready to eat. It can be kept in the original deli packaging or transferred to a resealable plastic bag.

• Leftover sliced turkey pastrami will last 5-7 days refrigerated. For maximum freshness, use deli sliced pastrami within 3-5 days.

• For longer term storage, freeze turkey pastrami for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

• Either keep turkey pastrami whole or slice it just before serving. Pre-sliced deli meat has a shorter shelf life.

• Avoid repeated openings of the packaging. Only open to remove what you plan to immediately eat to prevent drying out.

• If the turkey pastrami develops an off odor, flavor or slimy texture, it has spoiled and should be discarded.

Following these tips will help keep your turkey pastrami fresh and ready to enjoy!

How to Use Turkey Pastrami

Once you have your turkey pastrami, it’s time to put it to delicious use! Here are some of my favorite ways to eat turkey pastrami:

• On sandwiches in place of regular deli meats

• Wrapped around cream cheese or cheese cubes for an easy snack

• Thinly sliced on charcuterie or cheese boards

• Added to omelets, scrambles, frittatas, etc.

• Used in pasta salads for a protein boost

• Stuffed into phyllo cups or pastries for an appetizer

• On pizza in place of pepperoni

• Mixed into casseroles or stuffings

• Crafted into turkey reubens with sauerkraut and Russian dressing

• Used as a smoky seasoning when chopped and added to recipes

• Added to composed salad bowls and grain bowls

As you can see, the possibilities are endless! Turkey pastrami is delicious and versatile enough to use in everything from quick snacks to gourmet meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about buying and using turkey pastrami:

Is turkey pastrami already cooked?

Yes, turkey pastrami is pre-cooked so it is safe to eat straight out of the packaging. It can be used cold or gently warmed.

How long does unopened turkey pastrami last?

Properly refrigerated, unopened packaged turkey pastrami will typically last 2-3 weeks beyond any use by date printed on the packaging.

Can you freeze turkey pastrami?

Absolutely. Freezing extends the shelf life to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen pastrami overnight in the fridge before using.

What’s the healthiest turkey pastrami option?

Look for organic turkey cured with no nitrites/nitrates and low in sodium. Diestel, Applegate Organics, and Wellshire Farms make excellent clean-ingredient pastrami.

Is turkey pastrami gluten-free?

Most turkey pastrami is naturally gluten-free. But always check labels since some brands may add wheat-based thickening agents. Certified gluten-free options are also available.

The Takeaway

If you love pastrami flavor but want a healthier alternative, look no further than turkey pastrami. It has the same smoky, peppery flavors but with less fat and calories compared to beef pastrami. You can find high-quality options at grocery store deli counters, specialty markets, online mail order, and local butchers. Diestel, Niman Ranch, Applegate, and Wellshire Farms make excellent premium turkey pastrami. However you get it, turkey pastrami is deliciously versatile for sandwiches, charcuterie, snacks, salads, and so much more.