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Deli Meat ?

17 years ago

We had a package of deli turkey (a buy-one-get-one freebie that our neighbor gave us) in the freezer for a month in a zip lock bag. Ken defrosted it yesterday when I wasn't home using the microwave for a little bit and then put it in the fridge. When he opened it up it was all wet - lots of water that he took the whole batch of meat and dried it on paper towels and rewrapped it.

Soooo, this water was in the turkey, guess it is 'processed' turkey. Is this normal for so much water in deli meats? This is not something we normally buy and it was very unappealing.

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Comments (9)

loagiehoagie
17 years ago
Yeah, sounds normal for deli turkey. In the fridge if I don't eat it in a couple of days it gets 'slimey'. Doesn't have much shelf life compared with ham or bologna. I'd give it to the dog!

Duane
wizardnm
17 years ago
Most deli meats contain a high amount of 'flavor enhancing' solution and they also use something to bind the meat together. They tumble the meat and form the shape, usually in a size that is good for sandwiches when sliced. Don't forget that today's deli meats come in many different flavors now, such as BBQ Chicken, Cajun Chicken, Brown Sugar Ham, Smoked Turkey, etc.

So your water is from that, not really anything to worry about.

Then there's the whole muscle deli meats. I usually buy those when I can but they are more expensive. Worth it in my mind, especially roast beef.

Nancy
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lindac
17 years ago
I just blot it with paper towels....and use the firmer, dryer meat.
Shows yout he amount of water youa re paying for.
The freezing and thawing is what makes it come out of the meat....much the same way that frozen berries and soft veggies get watery when thawed.
I often buy a whole "loaf" of ham for the church, have it sliced and make sandwiches out of parta nd freeze the rest. When I thaw the meat....it is very watery....and I use paper towels to blot it up.
However "good ham" or "good turkey" doesn't get watery when it's frozen because it hasn't been pumped full of "solution".
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paddy_99
17 years ago
Most deli "turkey" is that in name only.About the only resemblance it bears to real turkey is in name and color. Check the sodium content on the package.
woodie
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks to all. The turkey was sliced at the deli and I don't want to go check the label, LOL, don't really want to know what it says :)

I think he's throwing it out we're not really interested in eating it - good thing we didn't pay for it!
annie1992
17 years ago
I'm too late to this party but I agree, "deli meat" is very high in sodium, preservatives, "flavor enhancer", various fluids.

I'd rather just buy a piece of turkey and slice it, or slice my own beef. I'm so bad (or good?) about not buying deli meats that Elery brought his meat slicer to me, so I can use it, I use it much more than he does, LOL.

Annie
pkramer60
17 years ago
Are you sure that stufff is meat?
woodie
Original Author
17 years ago
Oh thanks, Peppi! LOL :)
eileenlaunonen
17 years ago
Ive seen this with alot of low grade deli meats especially Turkey...thats why I only buy Boars Head cold cuts there a bit more expensive but I cringe with "WET" Turkey.

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