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Deli Meats Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to deli meat products
Also known as lunch meat or cold cuts, deli meats are precooked or cured meats sliced to serve. You can enjoy them hot or cold, usually served on sandwiches or a tray. With more than half of the American population eating sandwiches each day, odds are you're enjoying one topped with deli meat.
About deli meats
Deli meat is convenient because you don't need to cut the meat. Simply throw it on a sandwich, and your meal is ready to go. The meat is high in protein and vitamins, but you should be careful not to eat too much of it, as it is a processed food that is high in sodium. Low-sodium or reduced-sodium meats are also available.
When it comes to types of deli meat, the main categories are poultry, beef, pork, or a mix of the three. Some of the more common options include the following:
- Chicken Breast: The most common type of poultry luncheon meat, chicken breast can be smoked, baked, or roasted.
- Corned Beef: Made out of salt-cured beef, corned beef is especially popular around St. Patrick's Day.
- Ham: This is the most common type of pork luncheon meat, and it can be baked and smoked.
- Meatloaf: Beef or lamb is ground together, placed in a dish, and cooked to create meatloaf.
- Pastrami: Another type of beef, pastrami, is salt-cured like corned beef but undergoes steaming, smoking, and extensive seasoning.
- Roast Beef: The roast beef deli meat is basically what its name implies in that the beef was roasted but then saved for slicing.
- Salami: This type of deli meat varies as to how it's made, but it's typically fermented and includes beef or pork, a type of poultry, and spices.
- Turkey Breast: This type of deli meat is prepared similarly to chicken breast.
Deli meat cooking tips
If you're in the mood for a warm sandwich or want to heat a few slices of deli meat, it's so easy to do, whether you're using the microwave, oven, or stovetop.
- Microwave: Take the deli meat out of its packaging, and set it on a microwave-safe plate. Cover the meat with waxed paper or a paper towel. Heat the meat for three to four minutes at half power. If it's not warm enough by then, heat it for 30-second increments until it reaches your desired temperature.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil on your counter, and place the deli meat in the center. Fold up all the sides to completely enclose the meat. Bake the deli meat for 10-15 minutes.
- Stovetop: You can also cook deli meat on a stovetop. Place it in a pan over medium heat, and cover with the lid. Cook the meat for two to four minutes, depending on how many slices you have. You may need to turn the meat several times to make sure it all cooks evenly.
To save yourself time, open the Instacart app and place an order for deli meat. Search through the wide selection of deli meat, add it to your order, and complete your purchase. From there, an Instacart shopper will get your order together and deliver it right to your door, often on the same day. Not only have you saved time, but now you don't need to make an extra stop to pick up some deli meat for sandwiches.
FAQs about deli meats
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that pregnant women should avoid eating luncheon meats, including deli meats, unless they're heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until steaming hot right before serving.
This is because listeria is associated with deli meats, and pregnant women have compromised immune systems that make them more likely to contract listeria. Complications arising from listeria include preterm labor, miscarriage, and infections.
If you're pregnant and can't resist deli meat cravings, take the CDC's advice and heat them to an internal minimum temperature of 165°F to kill the bacteria.
Once you put the package of deli meat in the refrigerator, the clock starts ticking on how long you have to enjoy it. Try to eat the meat within 3-5 days after you open the package. If you purchased meat sliced fresh from the deli, you need to eat it within 3 days. Anything longer than that runs the risk of growing bacteria and listeria. You can also store deli meats in the freezer for up to 2 months.