Undoubtedly, the deli counter at your local supermarket offers an endless selection of appetizing items.
From hot dogs to pastrami, there’s something for everyone.
It’s also easy to see why so many people choose to eat lunch meat.
But what exactly is lunch meat?
And what can you expect to find in it?
Read on as we explore the ins and outs of this classic American food.
What is your favorite lunch meat?
If you love to eat sandwiches, chances are you already know that there are two main types of sandwich fillings: sandwiches with bread (like a ham or turkey sandwich) and those without (like a hamburger).
We recommend both, but if you prefer one over another, feel free to add it to your list.
If you’re looking for a quick lunch option and don’t want to cook, then lunch meat may be right up your alley.
It’s a great alternative to takeout because you get all the flavor of a sandwich without having to worry about cooking anything.
What are the health benefits of eating lunch meat?
Like any other type of meat, lunch meat has its own set of health benefits.
The protein found in meat like pork, chicken, and beef helps build strong bones and muscles, which is important for healthy living.
Lunch meat is a good source of iron, zinc, B vitamins, and calcium, too.
What are the different types of lunch meat?
A lot of lunch meats fall under the category of deli meat.
But not all deli meat is created equal.
There’s a wide variety of products available, from salami to bologna, and each one offers a unique taste experience.
Here are just a few examples of deli-style foods:
- American cheese
- Bologna
- Corned beef
- Ham
- Hot dogs
- Italian sausage
Then there’s lunch meat.
While most of us think of ground beef when we hear the name “lunch meat,” it actually refers to processed meat products made from ground beef.
These include:
- Sausage rolls
- Cold cuts
- Hot dogs
- Salisbury steak
- Spaghetti
Finally, there’s even more variety out there.
If you want to try something new, check out these options:
- Beef jerky
- Canadian bacon
- Chorizo
- Duck breast
- Goat meat
- Ground lamb
- Pork belly
- Rib eye steak
- Tuna salad
- Turkey
What are some creative ways to use lunch meat?
Forget boring old sandwiches.
You can really spice things up by combining different flavors together.
For example, you could put peanut butter on top of a slice of ham or serve it inside a hot dog bun.
Or how about using it as a base for a pasta salad?
Just toss everything into a bowl and mix well.
You can use whatever veggies you have around, and this will give you the opportunity to experiment with textures as well.
What are some creative ways to use lunch meat?
Now that you know the variety of lunch meat available, you might be wondering what else you can do with it.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Use it as a pizza topping (check out this recipe)
- Make a unique meatloaf
- Add a little extra kick to your next burger
- Turn it into a taco dip
- Put it in a burrito
- Build a meatball sub
- Add it to a breakfast quesadilla
- Create a homemade hot dog
- Make a meatball soup
- Make a meatball stew
- Make a meatball sandwich
- Use it in place of ground beef in spaghetti sauce
- Top a pizza pie
- Use it in chili
- Mix it with cottage cheese and bake it as a snack
What are some of the best lunch meats for grilling?
Most Americans love to grill summertime meals.
It’s a great way to enjoy fresh grilled meat while getting to spend time outdoors.
Grilling is a fun activity for the whole family.
It allows you to bond with friends and family by enjoying a meal outside.
Grilling can also help save money because you can eat leftovers for dinner later on.
The following are some of the best lunch meats for grilling:
- Beef Jerky
- Canadian Bacon
- Chorizo
- Duck Breast
- Ground Lamb
- Kielbasa
- Pulled Pork
- Rib Eye Steak
- Smoked Turkey
- Steak Tips
What are some of the best lunch meats for kids?
Not all parents are fans of the idea of their children eating lunch meat.
However, they should know that there are a lot of kid-friendly lunch meat options available.
Some of the best lunch meats for kids are:
- Chicken tenders
- Fried chicken
- Peanut butter
- Pulled pork
- Salsa
- Sauerkraut
- Waffles
- Yogurt
What are some of the healthiest lunch meats?
While most lunch meat falls under the category of deli meat, some companies offer healthier alternatives.
Some of the best lunch meats for you to look out for are:
- All Natural Lunch Meats
- Lean Cuisine
- Smart Balance
- Vital Choice
- Weight Watchers
What are some of the tastiest lunch meats?
You probably won’t find much variation between the different brands of lunch meat.
In fact, some of them are pretty bland.
However, if you’ve got a hankering for something special, here are
some of the tastiest lunch meats:
Arby’s
Applebee’s
Burger King
Carl’s Jr.
Cheese Nips
Del Taco
Dunkin Donuts
IHOP
McDonald’s
Panera Bread
Ruby Tuesday
Subway
Wendy’s
Make a delicious and unique homemade meatloaf in your microwave
Equipment
- 1 microwave
Ingredients
- 1 Ib Ground Beef
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 15 Ritz Crackers crushed
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoons garlic
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
- Liberally grease a 9×5 loaf pan with cooking spray (or butter)
- Combine all ingredients with your hands until you achieve a homogeneous mixture. You can also use a stand mixer (or even a hand mixer) for this step if you do not have time for kneading by hand.
- Press out any air bubbles, and then choose a loaf shape that suits your preference and meatloaf pan size/shape. Mix in any herbs/spices you’d like to give it a little extra something.
- Place your meatloaf mixture into the loaf pan and cover with brown paper, foil, or a lid. The more oven proofing you use, the more evenly it will cook – try to avoid creating holes in your loaf as this can allow for bad air pockets and uneven cooking.
- Bake for about 50-55 minutes at 450 degrees until an internal temperature of 160 degrees is reached. Test with a meat thermometer (substitute with an instant-read thermometer if you do not have one) – it should read 160 degrees or higher by the time it’s ready (25-30 minutes should be considered a “safe” range).
- Let the loaf rest for 5-10 minutes, and then enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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