Turkey ham
Turkey ham is a processed meat product made from cooked or cured turkey meat, water and other ingredients such as binders. Turkey ham products contain no pork products. Several companies in the United States produce turkey ham and market it under various brand names. It was invented c. 1975 by Jennie-O, who first introduced it to consumers that year. Around January 1980, the American Meat Institute tried to ban use of the term "turkey ham" for products that are composed solely of turkey and contain no pork. Turkey ham may also be used as a substitute for bacon where religious restrictions forbid the consumption of pork.
Overview
[edit]Turkey ham is a processed meat product made primarily from cooked or cured turkey meat and water, formed into the shape of a ham and often sold pre-sliced.[1][2] It is a ready-to-eat product that can be consumed cold or heated.[3]
Production
[edit]Turkey ham is produced from turkey meat such as cured turkey thigh meat and other meat from the animals, which can be machine-deboned.[4] Contrary to the product's name, turkey ham products do not contain ham and pork products.[5] Some turkey ham products are manufactured with added water, which adds moisture and weight, and some include binders, which serves to bind the moisture and fat in the meat to improve texture.[6][7] Turkey ham is sometimes flavored to resemble the flavor of ham.[5] Turkey ham typically has a 5 percent fat content, and some turkey hams are produced as fat-free.[3][8] Turkey hams are typically produced in two sizes, whole and half-sized.[3]
Some U.S. producers and brands of turkey ham include Butterball, Cargill, Jennie-O, Louis Rich, Norbest and Oscar Mayer.[9][10][11][12]
History
[edit]
Turkey ham was developed by Jennie-O and was first introduced to American consumers by the company in 1975.[a] Turkey ham was a successful venture for Jennie-O, as the processed meat brought in revenues that were ten times higher compared to those the company realized from unprocessed turkey thighs.[13]
Labeling
[edit]Around January 1980, the American Meat Institute (AMI) attempted to ban the use of the term "turkey ham" for products that contain no ham and are entirely composed of turkey, which the AMI described as "flagrant consumer deception".[5] Use of the term "turkey ham" for such products was also opposed by some ham producers in the United States.[5] Circa this time, the U.S. government began requiring turkey ham producers to include the words "cured turkey thigh meat" on turkey ham packaging.[5] In 2010, it was written in the Handbook of Poultry Science and Technology, Secondary Processing that the term "cured turkey thigh meat" always followed the words "turkey ham" on American turkey ham packaging.[3]
Nutrition and Health
[edit]Turkey ham is generally considered a lean processed meat, with a typical serving (100 grams) containing approximately 118 kilocalories, 16 grams of protein, 4 grams of fat (including 1.2 grams of saturated fat), 3.1 grams of carbohydrates, 909 milligrams of sodium, and 64 milligrams of cholesterol.[14] It supplies moderate amounts of iron, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamin B12.
Compared to traditional pork ham, turkey ham is typically lower in calories, total fat, and cholesterol, making it a popular choice for those seeking lower-fat or pork-free alternatives.[15] Sodium content is often high, sometimes delivering over 40% of the recommended daily intake per 100 gram serving.[14]
As a processed meat, turkey ham may contain preservatives such as nitrites or nitrates. Health authorities recommend moderation in consumption of processed meats, as excessive intake is associated with increased risks for certain chronic diseases.[16]
Nutritional values and ingredients may vary by brand or preparation. Some options are marketed as “extra lean” or “low sodium” to meet specific dietary preferences.[17]
See also
[edit]
The dictionary definition of turkey ham at Wiktionary
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Sun, D.W. (2016). Computer Vision Technology for Food Quality Evaluation. Elsevier Science. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-12-802599-4. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Acton, Q.A. (2012). Issues in General Food Research: 2011 Edition. ScholarlyEditions. p. pt1093. ISBN 978-1-4649-6412-1. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Handbook of Poultry Science and Technology, Secondary Processing. Wiley. 2010. p. 236. ISBN 978-0-470-50446-8. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Pearson, A.M.; Gillett, T.A. (2012). Processed Meats. Springer US. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-4615-7685-3. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. January 1980. p. 4. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Hui, Y.H. (2006). Handbook of Food Science, Technology, and Engineering. CRCNET books. Taylor & Francis. p. 72-92. ISBN 978-0-8493-9848-3. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ "Non-meat Ingredients". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ Natow, A.B.; Heslin, J.A. (2008). The Fat Counter: 7th Edition. Pocket Books. p. 548. ISBN 978-1-4165-0986-8. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Allen, G.J.; Albala, K. (2007). The Business of Food: Encyclopedia of the Food and Drink Industries. Greenwood Press. p. 307. ISBN 978-0-313-33725-3. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Apps, J. (2015). Wisconsin Agriculture: A History (in Spanish). Wisconsin Historical Society Press. p. 340. ISBN 978-0-87020-725-9. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ DeBakey, M.E. (1992). The Living Heart Brand Name Shopper's Guide. MasterMedia Limited. p. 296. ISBN 978-0-942361-43-8. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Farmer cooperatives. The Service. 1977. p. 10. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ a b Drache, H.M. (2001). Creating Abundance: Visionary Entrepreneurs of Agriculture. Interstate Publishers. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-8134-3208-3. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ a b "Turkey ham nutrition". FoodStruct. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Ham vs. Turkey Ham: What's the Healthier Choice?". YummyYumFood. 13 July 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Are Cold Cuts Healthy? Here's What a Dietitian Has to Say". EatingWell. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Turkey Ham". Butterball. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
