Ultimate Sandwich Guide: Best Meats for Stacked Flavor
An on-the-go lunch, a sandy beach day, a backyard hang—it’s always the right time for a delicious sandwich. And for the perfect flavor profile, look no further than juicy, well-seasoned deli lunch meat.
Even after adding condiments, deli meat is the star of the show in an unforgettable sandwich. Whether giving a smoky touch to a simple grilled cheese or stacking cold cuts for unbeatable flavor, choosing the best deli meat takes any sandwich to the next level.
At Wellshire, we’re experts at using all-natural meats to create sandwiches that taste just as good as they make you feel. What are our go-to options?
From ham deli meat to organic turkey breast slices, take a look at our ultimate guide to crafting the perfect deli meat sandwich.
Top Deli Meat Choices for Different Sandwiches
With countless deli lunch meat options and sandwich ideas to choose from, it helps to have a little insider guidance.
Here are the top deli meats we consistently turn to for a variety of delicious sandwiches.
Ham Deli Meat
A sandwich staple, deli ham can be cured and seasoned in different ways to create unique flavors and textures—all of which pack a mouth-watering punch.
In particular, we love:
- Black Forest Uncured Seasoned Deli Ham – Originating from Germany, black forest ham offers a subtle smoky flavor, especially ideal for a hot sandwich. For ultimate convenience, get it pre-sliced.
- Sliced Virginia Uncured Deli Ham – A tried-and-true classic, this lightly seasoned ham is packed with 12 grams of protein and only 2 grams of fat. Like all Wellshire meats, it’s made with all-natural flavorings, without any chemicals or artificial ingredients.
Turkey Deli Meat
A tasty alternative to red meat, turkey is one of our sandwich go-tos. It’s typically a leaner meat, perfect for a light lunch that still packs in the protein and other key nutrients.
For a smoky option, check out our Sliced Smoked Turkey Breast, seasoned with all-natural flavors like sea salt and vinegar powder. Prefer the classic taste of oven-roasted? We’ve got you covered with our allergen- and gluten-free Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey Breast.
Beef Deli Meat
Take your sandwich from standard to stand-out by adding savory beef deli meat.
Paired with sauerkraut and rye bread, our Uncured Cooked Corned Beef makes an unbeatable Reuben, but you can also add it to just about any sandwich.
We also love the slight sweetness of Uncured Beef Bologna seasoned with sea salt, sugar, lemon juice, and paprika.
Bread & Condiment Pairings: How to Build a Balanced Sandwich
If you’re only focused on the protein, you may as well enjoy a deli meat rollup (which is still a delicious option!). But to craft a truly well-balanced sandwich, you need to consider all the components—that includes the bread, condiments, and fixings.
Some combos are a no-brainer, like rye bread for a Reuben or a bagel for a breakfast sandwich. But there are a ton of sandwich breads to choose from. Ciabatta, sourdough, baguettes, sub rolls, plain ol’ sliced bread—the list goes on and on.
Focaccia and ciabatta are great for hot sandwiches, as they hold their structure in a panini press. For an extra-long sandwich, a baguette or sub roll is the way to go.
When adding condiments, consider the flavor profile you want to create:
- Rich and creamy – Mayonnaise, hummus, aioli, pesto
- Tangy – Dijon mustard, vinegar, lemon juice
- Spicy – Chipotle mayo, hot sauce
- Savory – BBQ sauce, honey mustard
Then, add the finishing touches with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and avocado, plus your favorite sliced cheese. Bon appétit!
Prep Tips & Recipe Ideas for Easy Meals
Sandwiches are already one of the most convenient lunch options, but to make your prep time even easier, we recommend:
- Buying sliced meat – Buying pre-sliced deli meat is a definite time-saver. If you opt for a deli-style breast, slice it all up ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
- Keeping fresh veggies stocked – Always keep staples like lettuce and tomato on hand.
- Toasting your bread – No time for a full panini? Toasting your bread is a simple way to add a delectable crunch.
To vary your options for the week, try a turkey and avocado BLT with organic turkey breast; a Cubano sandwich with ham, cheese, pickles, and mustard; or a tasty sandwich that replaces deli meat like this bacon, fig, and pear grilled cheese.
Elevate Your Sandwich Game with Wellshire
Shop delicious ham, turkey, and beef deli lunch meat options from Wellshire, available at Whole Foods. All our high-quality meats are humanely raised and vegetarian-fed, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your plate.
Enjoy deli meat flavored with natural seasonings, always free of nitrates, MSG, hormones, antibiotics, and other artificial additives. Our clean and simple recipes mean that our products are naturally free of most common allergens, so you can find sandwich favorites for the whole family.
Head to your local Whole Foods today, or shop online at Amazon Fresh.
Sources:
Cleveland Clinic. Is Deli Meat Bad for You? How To Choose a Healthier Lunch Meat. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-can-i-choose-a-healthier-lunch-meat. Eater. The Ultimate Guide to Sandwich Breads. https://www.eater.com/23025939/best-bread-for-sandwiches-definitions-guide.
