This homemade turkey deli meat is so juicy and flavorful, you can skip the long deli line at the store! Not only is this turkey super easy to make but it’s better for you, too. We love slicing this turkey for sandwiches, wraps salads and so much more.
Why We Love This Homemade Turkey Deli Meat
Besides the fact that this homemade turkey deli meat is unbelievably delicious, it’s more affordable than deli meat and it’s so much better for you, too!
- Easy to make: All you need to do is season the turkey, bake and slice.
- So many ways to use: Besides sandwiches we use this turkey for soups, casseroles, salads and more.
- More affordable/better quality: This recipe makes about 1 1/2 pounds of sliced turkey for about 10 dollars. That’s far less than a good quality brand of deli meat.
How To Make
Step by step photos here with brief directions. For complete instructions, head to the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Season: Season the turkey tenderloins with our all purpose seasoning, or you can keep the flavors simple with just salt and pepper.
- Bake and Slice: Bake the turkey at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes. The turkey is done when the temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let the turkey cool slightly before slicing.
Ways To Use Turkey Deli Meat
Of course we use this homemade turkey deli meat for sandwiches, wraps and subs – even one of our all time favorites, a hot turkey sandwich with gravy. Add a side of french fries and that’s a comfort food dinner in no time.
But in addition to slicing this turkey up for sandwiches, you can dice some for salads or this creamy turkey salad, even for soups and casseroles. Honestly, this turkey is so good, you’ll be snacking on it right from the fridge.
How Long Does Homemade Deli Meat Last?
This homemade deli meat will last about four days in the refrigerator. After that you’ll want to freeze it for later, which is really easy to do. This recipe makes about one and a half pounds of turkey meat, so we find that it’s pretty easy to go through in a couple of days.
If you tend to buy more than one and a half pounds of deli meat in a week, we suggest that you make one package at a time so that it stays fresh. Typically, turkey tenderloins come in a package that’s 1 1/2 pounds, so you can make one package at a time, or make two and freeze some for later.
Can You Freeze Leftover Turkey?
Yes! You can easily freeze this sliced turkey if you don’t use it all up. We like to place it in a freezer bag, making sure to squeeze all the air out. You can freeze the turkey for 4-6 months and pull it out for easy meals.
To defrost the turkey (especially if it’s been sliced) place the bag in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours. This way the slices will come apart easily without tearing. You can also cube the turkey if it hasn’t already been sliced and use it in different recipes like we suggested above.
Looking For More Turkey Recipes?
- Crispy Turkey Cutlets
- Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast
- Simple Whole Roasted Turkey
- Homemade Turkey Soup
- Kentucky Hot Brown
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Homemade Turkey Deli Meat
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/2 pounds 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeSkip the deli line and make our Homemade Turkey Deli Meat instead! Not only is it super easy to make, it’s less expensive and it’s better for you, too!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds turkey tenderloin (you can also make this recipe with a turkey breast, adjust the cooking time as needed)
- 2 tablespoons All Purpose Seasoning (If you prefer the turkey with less seasoning, use a lighter coating with 1 tablespoon instead)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Pat the turkey tenderloins dry with paper towels so the seasoning adheres to the meat. Rub generously all over with the seasoning and place on a baking sheet that’s been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. (Alternately, if you prefer a more mildly seasoned turkey, you can use 1 tablespoon of the seasoning or just use salt and pepper)
- Cook for 40-45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest until cool enough to slice. Slice the turkey into thin pieces, or however thin you like your sandwich meat to be.
- Store sliced turkey in an air tight container for up to 4 days. See notes below for freezing the turkey if you have leftovers that you aren’t going to use up or for meal prepping.
Recipe Notes
Store: Store the turkey in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze this turkey in an air tight freezer bag for 4-6 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and then use as desired.
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
