Best deli turkey, according to chefs
Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Jordan Myrick, Jessie YuChen, Sabrina Tan, Ariana Losch and 2 more. Recommendations come from seriouseats.com, sporked.com, tastingtable.com and eatthis.com.
Meats · The ranking
- 1Top pick
Dietz & Watson Turkey Breast (Gold’n Brown or Black Forest Smoked)
Chosen by- Sabrina TanSerious Eats
- Jessie YuChenSerious Eats
- Jordan MyrickTaste tester, Sporked
Also chosen by- Jordan Myrick · Taste tester, Sporked source ↗
A top pick in Serious Eats’ blind tasting of 18 deli turkeys. Tan praised its “spot-on deli turkey flavor,” a subtle sweetness then a salty finish; YuChen found it “not too dry.” Sporked’s Myrick on the Black Forest Smoked: lightly smoked rather than “packed with fake smoky flavor… It’s the best deli turkey even if you don’t normally opt for smoked turkey.”
- 2
North Country Smokehouse Organic Oven Roasted Turkey
Chosen by- Ariana LoschTaste tester, Sporked
Sporked rated it 8.5 out of 10 for a short, all-organic ingredient list — turkey, water, sea salt, turbinado sugar and vinegar — and a “really clean-tasting” flavor with “a springy, tender texture and medium thickness.” From a New Hampshire smokehouse; found at Whole Foods.
- 3
Applegate Naturals Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Chosen byAlso chosen by- Leah Groth · Eat This, Not That! source ↗
#2 of 11 in Tasting Table’s packaged deli turkey ranking, behind only Dietz & Watson: it “feels more like fresh meat as opposed to pressed meat” and is lightly salted. A short ingredient list (turkey breast, water, salt, potato starch, broth, rosemary extract) with no nitrates or fillers; Leah Groth calls it “one of my go-to brands.”
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on MyTastr. It never affects the ranking. Disclosure
Questions, answered
- What is the best deli turkey, according to chefs?
- MyTastr’s top pick is Dietz & Watson Turkey Breast (Gold’n Brown or Black Forest Smoked), chosen by Sabrina Tan (Serious Eats); Jessie YuChen (Serious Eats); Jordan Myrick (Sporked). A top pick in Serious Eats’ blind tasting of 18 deli turkeys. Tan praised its “spot-on deli turkey flavor,” a subtle sweetness then a salty finish; YuChen found it “not too dry.” Sporked’s Myrick on the Black Forest Smoked: lightly smoked rather than “packed with fake smoky flavor… It’s the best deli turkey even if you don’t normally opt for smoked turkey.” Source: seriouseats.com ↗
- What are the other top picks for deli turkey?
- No. 2 is North Country Smokehouse Organic Oven Roasted Turkey, chosen by Ariana Losch (Sporked). No. 3 is Applegate Naturals Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, chosen by Nicole Adams (Tasting Table). Each card above links to the original source.
- How does MyTastr choose these picks?
- Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.