Deli Turkey Protein

Deli turkey refers to pre-cooked, thin-sliced turkey breast sold ready to eat — either prepackaged in sealed plastic trays or sliced to order at a deli counter. It is not raw turkey breast; it has been processed, typically brined or cured, then cooked and sliced for sandwiches, wraps, and salads.

The term covers several product styles: standard oven-roasted slices, smoked turkey breast, honey-roasted varieties, and low-sodium options. Each style can differ in protein density, sodium, and added ingredients. For accurate food logging, match your entry to the specific product form you are eating.

USDA FoodData Central lists multiple entries for sliced turkey products with meaningfully different protein values. Turkey breast, sliced, prepackaged (FDC #172941) reports 14.8g protein per 100g, while turkey breast, low salt, prepackaged or deli (FDC #174572) reports 21.8g protein per 100g. The difference reflects brine content, moisture retention, and processing method — not a measurement error ^[1][2].

Research on organic vs. conventional turkey meat shows that cut type, processing, and product formulation all influence final protein concentration per 100g ^[3]. Brand labels remain the most reliable source for the specific product you buy, because added water, starches, and binders dilute protein on a per-weight basis.

This page defaults to a representative prepackaged deli product (18.6g protein, 104 kcal, 580mg sodium per 100g) from our verified turkey breast nutrition data. Use the product type selector above to switch to FDC #172941 or FDC #174572 when logging a specific USDA reference entry.

Deli turkey is often counted by slices, but slice weight varies widely — typically 20g to 35g per slice depending on brand, thickness setting, and whether the product is shaved, thin-sliced, or thick-cut. Our calculator uses ~28g (1 oz) per slice as a representative estimate, consistent with USDA portion conventions and common prepackaged labels ^[1].

Two slices from one brand may weigh 40g total; two slices from another may weigh 70g. For a 4-slice sandwich, that 30g difference shifts protein by roughly 5.6g and calories by 31 kcal. When accuracy matters, weigh your slices on a kitchen scale or use the gram weight printed on the package Nutrition Facts panel.

Prepackaged sliced turkey (sealed trays in the refrigerated aisle) has a fixed Nutrition Facts label per serving — usually per 2 oz (56g) or per slice count. Deli-counter turkey sliced to order may come from a whole breast or a commercial log; nutrition depends on the specific product the store uses, which is not always posted per slice at the counter.

For deli-counter purchases, ask for the brand name and look up that product's label online, or request the nutrition sheet if available. Counter-sliced turkey from an in-store roasted breast (not processed deli log) will have a protein profile closer to fresh roasted turkey breast than to standard prepackaged deli meat.

Deli turkey provides convenient protein, but sodium content varies by product. For the representative prepackaged deli type on this page, Nutrition Facts panels list 580mg sodium per 100g (Daily Value reference: 25% on standard labels) ^[4]. FDC #172941 reports 898mg sodium per 100g — a reminder that brand and formulation matter for logging.

A typical sandwich with 4 slices (~112g) contributes approximately 650mg sodium from the turkey alone — before bread, cheese, or condiments. Low-sodium deli varieties (often 300–400mg per 100g) exist but vary by brand. Check your package label when logging sodium.

On a Nutrition Facts panel, protein is listed in grams per serving. Note both the serving size in grams and the protein amount — do not assume one slice equals one serving. Many packages define a serving as 2 oz (56g) or 2–3 slices.

To convert label data to any portion: divide the label protein by the label serving weight in grams, then multiply by your actual portion weight. Example: if the label shows 9g protein per 56g serving, that equals 16.1g protein per 100g — close to but not identical to generic USDA reference values.