I Asked 4 Experts To Name the Best Sliced Turkey, and They All Said the Same Brand

Growing up, I ate a lot of turkey. My mom was allergic to chicken, so we gobbled up roast turkey breast, turkey cutlets, and turkey meatballs. I ate a lot of sliced turkey back then, and I still do today.

I love it because it’s lighter than other deli meats, making it versatile enough to load into sandwiches and omelettes, or roll up with cheese for a snack straight out of the refrigerator.

Recently, I was visiting friends out of state and, when I shopped to stock the fridge with some of my essentials, I couldn't find my usual brand of sliced turkey anywhere. I wondered if it was time to try something new, so I reached out to four food experts, who all told me to buy one specific brand.

The Sliced Turkey Experts

• Amy Goodson: Registered dietitian and author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook
• Gisela Bouvier: Registered dietitian and mom of three
• Lindsey Baruch: Recipe developer and creator of Lindsey Eats
• Erin Clarke: Creator of Well Plated and author of two bestselling cookbooks

What Is the Best Store-Bought Sliced Turkey?

“I am a huge fan of Applegate Naturals Oven Roasted Turkey Breast," Clarke told me. "I have some in my refrigerator drawer at all times." Goodson agrees: “It’s simply one of the best options on the market when it comes to clean, high-quality sliced turkey.”

The experts recommend Applegate’s turkey because it’s nitrate-free, but they’re also fans of the ingredient list, taste, and thickness.

“As a dietitian, I love the simple ingredients: turkey breast and water, with 2% or less of sea salt, potato starch, turkey broth, and rosemary extract,” says Bouvier. “It doesn’t contain any nitrates, nitrites, fillers, or artificial ingredients.”

In terms of taste, “Applegate has a real turkey flavor without any weird aftertaste or excess wetness in the package,” says Baruch. Goodson also loves that “the meat has a clean, slightly smoky flavor and tender texture." It’s ideal for a turkey sandwich, wrap, or protein-packed snack,” she adds.

Regarding the texture, Clarke says, “I always avoid turkey that feels rubbery, slippery, or overly wet. I love that Applegate’s texture is firm and easy to layer.”

Plus, Applegate has different kinds of sliced turkey, like oven-roasted, herb, and honey and maple,” so you'll never be tired of turkey, no matter how often you have it for lunch.