Smoked Vs Roasted Turkey: What's The Difference Between These Deli Meats?

You might have a favorite order you always stick to at the deli counter, or you might find yourself gazing through the glass, debating what to choose. For those that love a classic turkey club, there are two popular techniques to perfecting your favorite deli meat: smoking and roasting. While both are delicious, they offer distinctly different culinary results.

Smoking infuses the meat with a rich, deep flavor. This method involves cooking the turkey slowly over wood or charcoal, between 225-300 degrees Fahrenheit. This slow and low process allows for the smoke to permeate the meat, giving it a distinct flavor. On the other hand, roasting brings out the natural flavors of the turkey. It can be seasoned with herbs, butter, and spices, and is cooked in an oven, which helps create a crispy, golden skin while keeping the interior juicy. It's typically cooked in an oven between 375-425 degrees Fahrenheit and is prepared similarly to a turkey on Thanksgiving.

The texture of smoked turkey is often firmer, especially on the outer layers, due to the longer exposure to heat and smoke. The meat remains moist if smoked properly, but the process can sometimes result in a slightly drier interior compared to roasting. The type of wood used, like hickory, apple, or mesquite, can enhance the overall flavor, adding sweet, earthy, or bold notes. A smoked bird often has a slightly salty taste due to the brining process that typically precedes smoking. Brining involves soaking the turkey in saltwater before cooking it, which allows the meat to retain moisture during the long cooking process.

Roasting usually yields a tender, juicy texture, particularly when basted or cooked with moisture-retaining techniques. It also provides a more subtle and traditional taste, often highlighting the seasoning and the turkey's natural flavor. Next time you're at the deli counter, keep an eye out for key visual differences between the two. Smoked turkey has darker skin while roasted turkey will be a bit lighter.

There are so many ways to enjoy these popular types of deli meats. You could try dicing up a few slices and tossing them in your morning omelet or egg bake. You can even add slices of smoked or roasted turkey to your next charcuterie board for a switch up from salami or prosciutto. For a more classic option, add turkey slices to sandwiches. 

Smoked turkey pairs deliciously with nutty gouda cheese and will create the ultimate turkey sandwich. Since it has more depth, complementing it with rich cheeses or mayos will give balance to every bite. With roasted turkey's more mild and traditional taste, it can pair with sweet spreads like cranberry mustard or apple butter chutney to create the perfect sweet and savory sandwich. The flavor of roast turkey is similar to what you would expect your Thanksgiving leftovers to taste like, so pairing it with bright, tangy sauces and spreads will help amplify its low-key flavor profile.