Is Ground Turkey Considered a Processed Meat? A Closer Look at How Ground Turkey is Made

Back in 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified processed meat as a carcinogen, which is just what it sounds like — something that causes cancer — because these foods have been shown to raise the risk of colon cancer and potentially other forms of cancer. There have also been studies linking processed meats to a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes. “The current evidence suggests the higher intake of processed meat, the higher the risk of chronic diseases and mortality,” says Frank B. Hu, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Hu notes that while there is no sufficient evidence to suggest a safe amount, eating a small amount of processed meat occasionally (once or twice a month) is unlikely to have an appreciable health impact.

Now that we know that the occasional hot dog or strip of bacon isn’t cause for concern, what about a more routine processed meat habit? And what about deli turkey? Is that off the hook? How about meats that claim to have no added nitrates? Those can’t be that bad, can they? To answer these pressing questions, we turned to Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, Managing Director, Nutrition and Physical Activity at the American Cancer Society.

Ground turkey has become an increasingly popular alternative to ground beef Many health-conscious consumers opt for ground turkey because it is lower in fat and calories than beef But some people wonder – is ground turkey considered a processed meat?

The term “processed meat” refers to meat that has been manipulated to enhance flavor or improve preservation. Processed meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meats contain extra salt, preservatives, and flavorings. These added ingredients are concerning because research links processed meats to an increased risk of certain cancers and other health problems.

So should you be wary of ground turkey? Is it considered a processed meat like bacon or pepperoni? Let’s take a closer look at how ground turkey is made and whether or not it fits the definition of processed meat.

How Ground Turkey is Made

Ground turkey begins as whole turkey meat. The turkey meat is ground up into fine pieces to make ground turkey. Here are the basic steps

Whole turkey meat is cut into large chunks. This is turkey meat as it comes directly from a slaughtered turkey – no processing or additives have been used yet.
The turkey chunks are ground and chopped into very small pieces using industrial grinders.
The ground turkey meat is then packaged and shipped to grocery stores and consumers.

Unlike other processed meats, ground turkey does not go through smoking, curing, or fermenting. Very few additional ingredients are added. However, there are two important things to note about ground turkey production:

Antioxidants are often added. Ground turkey is very perishable because of the grinding process. This increases the surface area and exposes more of the fatty turkey meat to air. To prevent spoilage antioxidants like rosemary extract are commonly added. This helps extend the shelf life by protecting the fatty acids from oxidation.
The meat source varies. Ground turkey can be made from various turkey parts, like breast meat, thighs, or a blend. Thigh meat is fattier, while breast meat is leaner. Packages labeled simply “ground turkey” can come from a mix of turkey parts.

So ground turkey does undergo a grinding and mechanical processing step. And antioxidants are typically added to preserve freshness. But very few other ingredients or preservatives are included.

Is Ground Turkey Considered a Processed Meat?

There is no standardized definition of what constitutes a processed meat. But in general, processed meats are whole cuts of meat that have been manipulated to enhance flavor, shelf life, or convenience. This includes smoking, curing, salting, fermenting, and the addition of chemical preservatives.

While ground turkey does undergo a grinding process, it lacks many of the characteristics of what we traditionally consider processed meats:

No curing, smoking, or fermenting. Ground turkey does not undergo processing techniques like curing with sodium nitrate or smoking over wood chips – techniques used to make hot dogs, salami, ham, and bacon.
Minimal preservatives. Only small amounts of natural preservatives like citric acid or rosemary extract are used in ground turkey. It does not contain the plethora of chemicals found in deli meats.
No mystery meat sources. Ground turkey comes from whole cuts of turkey meat rather than meat byproducts or scraps.
Short ingredient list. The ingredient label for ground turkey is short – just “ground turkey” and an antioxidant. It lacks the lengthy additive list found in processed meats.

So while ground turkey is technically processed to grind the meat, it lacks many of the concerning characteristics of bacon, sausage, lunch meat and other processed red meats. The grinding allows you to cook flavorful turkey burgers or meatballs, while getting the nutritional benefits of fresh turkey meat.

Health Impacts of Ground Turkey vs. Processed Red Meats

Many health agencies and experts put processed meats in a different category than fresh ground meats like turkey and chicken:

The World Health Organization classifies processed meats as “carcinogenic to humans”. But they do not group fresh ground meats into this carcinogenic category.
The American Institute for Cancer Research states that even ground beef and ground turkey should be consumed in moderation. But that fresh ground meats are preferable to processed red meats.
The American Cancer Society recommends avoiding processed meats entirely. But says ground poultry can be healthier alternatives in moderation.

The vast majority of research linking meat to cancer and health risks focuses specifically on processed and cured meats like bacon, sausage, salami, and ham. Fresh ground turkey has not been implicated in these studies.

Healthiest Ways to Enjoy Ground Turkey

Ground turkey offers a versatile and healthy alternative to ground beef. Here are some tips for purchasing and cooking ground turkey:

Choose lean. Look for packages labeling the turkey as 93% lean or leaner. Dark turkey meat tends to be fattier than white turkey meat.
Avoid pre-flavored options. Opt for plain ground turkey without added saturated fats, sugars or sodium from flavorings. Boost flavor yourself with herbs, spices and other veggies.
Use it in place of ground beef. Swap ground turkey into favorite recipes like chili, tacos, meatballs, burgers, and meatloaf.
Combine with vegetables. For dishes like meatballs, combine ground turkey with finely chopped mushrooms, onions, or spinach.
Cook thoroughly. Ground turkey needs to reach 165°F internally to kill any bacteria. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
Limit processed toppings. Skip the processed cheese and mayo-heavy condiments. Enjoy ground turkey patties and burgers with fresh veggie toppings instead.

The Bottom Line

While ground turkey does undergo a grinding process, it lacks many of the concerning characteristics and additives found in bacon, sausage, deli meats and other processed red meats. Research linking processed meats to cancer and disease does not apply to fresh ground turkey. In moderation, ground turkey can be a healthy alternative as part of an overall balanced diet. Choosing lean turkey and preparing it with fresh ingredients allows you to benefit from its nutrition without the risks associated with processed red meats.

is ground turkey processed

So how much bacon is safe?

“I’ve got a lot of bacon-loving friends who ask me this all the time!” says Doyle. Unfortunately, this is another big question mark. “It isn’t known whether there is a safe level of consumption for processed meat — or for unprocessed red meat,” she says. (Unprocessed red meat, like hamburger and steak, has also been linked to health problems.)

What is a processed meat?

Processed meat is a meat that has been treated in some way to preserve or flavor it through salting, curing, fermenting, and smoking, says Doyle. Think: bacon, sausages, hot dogs, canned meat and other cured meats like salami. And that includes deli meat — whether red (like roast beef or ham) or white (like turkey or chicken).

Highly Processed Meat Danger? It’s not what you think…

FAQ

Is turkey considered processed meat?

Turkey and chicken are often recommended as healthy alternatives to red meat. But if they are preserved, they count as processed meats and are harmful. Roasted chicken and roasted turkey in deli meat packets or at the deli counter have likely had nitrates added. Turkey bacon does, too.

Is ground turkey actually healthy?

“Ground turkey contains less saturated fat than ground beef, giving it a more beneficial fat profile,” says Beaver. “In its place, ground turkey instead contains more polyunsaturated fat, which is a protective, healthier type of fat.”

Is ground meat considered processed?

Although grinding meat or poultry is a form of processing, the link between processed meat and colorectal cancer does not refer to fresh meat ground up for burgers or casseroles.

Is ground turkey unprocessed?

Ground turkey, or minced turkey, is a mixture of dark and light turkey meat with remaining skin and visible fat processed together until a “ground” form emerges. The turkey meat, skin, and fat is taken off the bone and processed with additives.

Are sliced turkeys salty?

If you look at the label of even ‘oven roasted’ sliced turkey, you’re likely to see ingredients such as salt, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, or potassium chloride. These are used to salt meats—meaning the turkey is processed.

What are the health benefits of ground turkey?

Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.

What types of meats can be processed?

“While red meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, ham, bacon, and jerky are the most common types of processed meats, poultry can be processed as well. If you look at the label of even ‘oven roasted’ sliced turkey, you’re likely to see ingredients such as salt, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, or potassium chloride.

Is deli turkey nitrate-free?

They can still label their product ‘nitrate-free’, because those are natural and not synthetic, but they are nitrates nonetheless.” In other words, once you ingest deli turkey or chicken or ham made with celery powder or another natural preservative, you’re still consuming nitrates — it’s just in a different form.