Is All of Subway’s Meat Really Turkey?

Subway, the popular sandwich chain with over 40,000 locations worldwide, has long faced rumors that all of their meat products are actually made from turkey. This questionable claim has led many customers to wonder – is all of Subway’s meat really just turkey?

The short answer is no not all of Subway’s meat is turkey-based. However, there is some truth behind this myth. While Subway does offer non-turkey proteins like steak chicken, salami, and ham, a portion of their meat products are in fact made with turkey.

The Origin of the Myth

So where did this myth come from that all of Subway’s meat is turkey? There are a few likely sources

• Taste – Some customers claim that many Subway meats, even those not advertised as turkey have a very similar taste and texture. This has led people to believe it must be the same turkey meat across products.

• Ingredients – A look at the ingredients list shows that even meats like Subway’s steak and chicken contain turkey-based fillers and flavoring. This adds credibility to the idea that turkey is a main component of many menu items.

• Cost Saving – From a business perspective, using turkey as the primary protein makes economic sense for Subway. Turkey is cheaper than beef, chicken, ham, and salami. Subway can save on costs while still offering variety.

While these reasons help explain why people believe the myth, it is simply not true that all of Subway’s meat is 100% turkey.

What Meats Are Turkey at Subway?

Subway does confirm that a number of their meat offerings contain turkey or turkey-based ingredients:

• Rotisserie-Style Chicken – Contains turkey breast meat
• Black Forest Ham – Made with turkey ham
• Roasted Chicken – Turkey breast meat
• Cold Cut Combo – Turkey baloney, turkey salami
• Subway Club – Turkey breast meat
• Italian B.M.T. – Contains turkey pepperoni

Additionally, many of Subway’s sauces and dressings, even for non-turkey products, contain turkey stock or turkey flavorings.

So while not all meats are turkey, a sizable portion of the menu contains turkey additives or is turkey-based.

How To Tell if Subway Meat is Real or Turkey

For customers that want to avoid turkey or confirm they are getting a non-turkey meat, there are a few signs to look for:

• Color – Real beef and salami will have a deep red color while turkey is pale pink. Chicken and ham also look lighter than their non-turkey counterparts.

• Texture – Turkey meat is smooth and uniform. Real steak and salami will have more variation and fibrous textures.

• Marbling – Beef with white fat marbling is a sign that it’s real beef and not turkey substitute.

• Fat Content – Higher fat content and oiliness indicate real meats like beef and salami over lower-fat turkey.

• Flavor – Turkey has a milder flavor. Steaks, salami, ham, and chicken will all have much bolder and distinctive flavors.

While turkey-based meats are not necessarily worse or lower-quality, customers avoiding turkey for preference or dietary reasons can use these tips to discern real meats from turkey substitutes when ordering at Subway.

Why Subway Uses Turkey Fillers and Flavoring

Subway relies heavily on turkey, even in non-turkey products, for a few key reasons:

Cost – As mentioned, turkey is the least expensive meat option compared to beef, pork, ham, chicken, etc. Introducing turkey into other meats cuts down on costs substantially.

Consistency – Ground and processed turkey allows Subway to achieve a very consistent texture and flavor across all its meat offerings. This ensures a reliable product across thousands of stores.

Health – Turkey is lower in fat than beef and other meats. Using turkey helps Subway provide healthier options that appeal to a wider range of customers.

Versatility – Ground turkey absorbs spices and marinades easily, allowing Subway to mimic textures and flavors of other meats relatively convincingly.

Shelf Life – Turkey lasts longer than other raw meats, reducing waste andAllowing flexibility with inventory and supply chains.

Customer Sentiment on the Turkey Myth

The rumor that all Subway meats are turkey-based has been circulating for years. But what do customers really think about this idea?

Some customers feel misled and disappointed to find out many menu items contain turkey when they believed they were ordering real ham, chicken, etc. These customers would prefer Subway be more transparent.

However, many customers are unfazed by the turkey substitutions. As long as the taste satisfies what they expect from a chicken or steak sandwich, they see no issue with the filler ingredients. They appreciate the lower costs and consistent product.

There are also customers who actively prefer turkey and intentionally order turkey-heavy options. For these health-conscious consumers, knowing Subway uses lots of turkey is appealing.

While opinions differ on how transparent Subway should be, overall most customers remain satisfied with the familiar taste of Subway’s meats. Turkey or not, the sandwiches continue to fill a fast food need for many.

Subway’s Response

Subway has never officially confirmed or denied that all their meats are turkey-based. However, they’ve defended their use of turkey fillers in many products over the years.

Subway stands behind using turkey and turkey-based flavoring to efficiently deliver the taste and texture people expect from their meats at an affordable price across all stores. Their priority is maintaining this consistency and cost, not necessarily replicating the exact composition of whole-muscle meats.

While not all customers agree with this approach, Subway has relied on turkey fillers in their meats for decades. There are currently no signs these practices will change in response to the long-running myth.

The Truth About Subway’s Ingredients

While not all Subway meat is turkey, their frequent use of turkey fillers and flavoring in everything from ham to steak leaves the truth somewhere in the middle.

Subway prioritizes consistent taste, cost control, and versatility by utilizing turkey in place of higher cost whole meat cuts. This efficient model has made the Subway menu affordable for millions of customers daily.

However, for those customers passionate about avoiding turkey specifically, it takes careful inspection to discern which meats are substituted. Overall, it’s wise to assume there may be some turkey content in most Subway meat dishes.

So while the myth is exaggerated in claiming all Subway meat is turkey, it is directionally correct – a whole lot of Subway’s meat, from chicken to salami, does indeed contain turkey! The clarity on their exact ingredients allows customers to make informed decisions.