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Whether you’re packing school lunches, building a charcuterie board for friends, or just looking for a quick and satisfying sandwich, the lunch meat you choose matters. The deli aisle can feel overwhelming — dozens of brands, varying ingredient lists, and a wide range of prices. Some are loaded with preservatives and sodium, while others keep things clean and simple.
We put together this guide to help you sort through the noise. Below, you’ll find 15 of the best lunch meat brands available in 2026, each with nutritional details, standout features, and links so you can grab them online or find them near you. Whether your family prefers classic deli turkey, premium roast beef, or a plant-based option, there’s something here for everyone.
1. Applegate
Applegate has become the go-to brand for parents who read ingredient labels carefully. Their products are made from meat raised without antibiotics, and they skip the chemical nitrates, nitrites, and artificial ingredients that show up in many competitors. If “clean deli meat” is a priority for your household, Applegate is a strong starting point.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Roasted Turkey Breast): Calories: 50 | Total Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 360mg | Protein: 10g
Website: applegate.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
2. Smithfield
Smithfield is one of the largest pork producers in the country, and their deli meats reflect that scale — widely available, affordably priced, and consistent in quality. Their hickory-smoked ham and slow-roasted turkey are staples in many American kitchens. If you’re feeding a large family on a budget, Smithfield delivers solid flavor without the premium price tag.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Hickory Smoked Ham): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 1.5g | Sodium: 480mg | Protein: 10g
Website: smithfield.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
3. Sara Lee
Sara Lee has been a trusted name in American grocery stores for decades, and their deli meat line lives up to that reputation. Their pre-sliced turkey and honey ham are popular choices for school lunches and quick weeknight dinners. The taste is mild and crowd-pleasing, which is exactly why families keep coming back to it.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Honey Roasted Turkey Breast): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 440mg | Protein: 11g
Website: saraleedelimeat.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
4. Oscar Mayer
Oscar Mayer is probably the first name that comes to mind when most people think of lunch meat — and for good reason. They’ve been in the deli game since 1883. Their product range covers everything from classic bologna to oven-roasted turkey breast, and their Deli Fresh line offers a step up with no artificial preservatives. It’s a reliable, easy-to-find brand at virtually every grocery store.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Deli Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey Breast): Calories: 50 | Total Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 400mg | Protein: 10g
Website: oscarmayer.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
5. Hormel Natural Choice
Hormel’s Natural Choice line was designed for people who want fewer artificial ingredients without paying a premium price. These deli meats contain no artificial preservatives, no added nitrates or nitrites, and no artificial flavors or colors. The turkey, ham, and roast beef options all taste genuinely good — not like a “health food compromise.” It’s a smart middle ground between budget brands and specialty organic options.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Honey Deli Turkey): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 1g | Sodium: 450mg | Protein: 10g
Website: hormelnaturalchoice.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
6. Land O’ Frost
Land O’ Frost is a family-owned company that has been making lunch meats since 1958. They’re known for offering generous package sizes at prices that won’t stretch your grocery budget. Their Premium and Simply Delicious lines give you options at different price points, with the Simply Delicious line using no artificial ingredients. For families that go through a lot of lunch meat each week, Land O’ Frost is hard to beat on value.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Premium Oven Roasted Turkey Breast): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 1g | Sodium: 470mg | Protein: 9g
Website: landofrost.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
7. Hillshire Farm
Hillshire Farm has a strong following for their slow-roasted and carefully seasoned deli meats. Their Ultra Thin sliced line is especially popular for sandwich lovers who prefer layering plenty of meat without getting an overly thick bite. The brand strikes a good balance between flavor and convenience, and you’ll find their products at most major grocery chains nationwide.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Ultra Thin Honey Roasted Turkey Breast): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 1g | Sodium: 470mg | Protein: 10g
Website: hillshirefarm.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
8. Eckrich
Eckrich is a no-frills brand that focuses on classic deli flavors at an accessible price. They’re particularly well known for their bologna and smoked sausage, though their sliced deli turkey and ham hold up nicely in sandwiches too. Eckrich won’t win any awards for fancy packaging, but the taste is straightforward and satisfying — exactly what many families want in an everyday lunch meat.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Oven Roasted Turkey Breast): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 1g | Sodium: 490mg | Protein: 9g
Website: eckrich.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
9. Dietz & Watson
Dietz & Watson is a Philadelphia-based, family-owned company that has been making deli meats since 1939. Their products lean toward the premium end of the spectrum, and the quality shows. They use whole muscle cuts, and their meats are free from gluten, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. If you’ve ever had a really good Italian hoagie from a Philly deli, there’s a decent chance Dietz & Watson was involved.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Originals Turkey Breast): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 440mg | Protein: 11g
Website: dietzandwatson.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
10. Castle Wood Reserve
Castle Wood Reserve positions itself as a premium deli brand, and the taste backs that up. Their meats are slow-cooked and carefully seasoned, giving them a noticeably richer flavor than many grocery store competitors. The smoked turkey breast and black forest ham are standout options. You’ll often find Castle Wood Reserve in the pre-packaged deli section alongside other mid-to-premium brands.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Oven Roasted Turkey Breast): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 430mg | Protein: 11g
Website: castlewoodreserve.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
11. Buddig
Buddig has been around since 1943, and they’ve carved out a niche as the most budget-friendly lunch meat brand on the market. Their signature thin-sliced, 2 oz pouches cost just a dollar or two in most stores, making them a lifesaver for families watching every grocery dollar. The Original Deli line and their Premium Deli line offer slightly different quality tiers, so you can choose based on your needs and budget.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Original Oven Roasted Turkey): Calories: 90 | Total Fat: 4g | Sodium: 600mg | Protein: 9g
Website: buddig.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
12. Boar’s Head
Boar’s Head is the gold standard of deli counter lunch meat. Walk into any quality deli or grocery store, and you’ll likely see the Boar’s Head name prominently displayed behind the counter. Their meats contain no fillers, by-products, artificial colors, or flavors, and the selection is enormous — over 100 varieties including turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken, and salami. The Ovengold Turkey and EverRoast Chicken are fan favorites. The trade-off is price: Boar’s Head costs more than most competitors. But if quality is your top priority and you prefer freshly sliced deli meat, it’s tough to do better.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Ovengold Turkey Breast): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 340mg | Protein: 13g
Website: boarshead.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
13. Bar-S
Bar-S is another budget-friendly option that focuses on keeping deli meat affordable for everyday families. Their product line includes bologna, ham, turkey, and chicken, all at prices that stay well below the category average. The taste is basic and familiar — what you’d expect from a traditional American lunch meat. If you’re packing lunches for multiple kids and need to stretch your budget, Bar-S is a practical choice.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Oven Roasted Turkey): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 1g | Sodium: 520mg | Protein: 9g
Website: bar-s.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
14. Saag’s
Saag’s is a San Francisco Bay Area brand with roots going back to 1933. They specialize in European-style sausages and deli meats using old-world recipes and high-quality ingredients. Their products are made without MSG, gluten, artificial colors, or fillers. If you’re looking for something a step above the typical supermarket fare — think smoked chicken breast, herb-roasted turkey, or artisan-style Italian dry salami — Saag’s is worth seeking out.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Smoked Turkey Breast): Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 420mg | Protein: 12g
Website: saags.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
15. Tofurky
Tofurky rounds out this list as the plant-based option for anyone who wants sandwich-ready slices without the meat. Made from organic tofu and wheat gluten, Tofurky deli slices come in flavors like Hickory Smoked, Peppered, Oven Roasted, and Italian Deli. The texture won’t fool a meat purist, but for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to eat less meat, Tofurky slices are a convenient, protein-packed option that works well in wraps and sandwiches.
Nutritional Info (per 2 oz serving, Oven Roasted Deli Slices): Calories: 100 | Total Fat: 3g | Sodium: 370mg | Protein: 15g
Website: tofurky.com
Where to Buy: Store Locator
How to Choose the Right Lunch Meat for Your Family
With 15 solid brands to choose from, the “best” one really depends on what matters most to you. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
- Best for clean ingredients: Applegate, Hormel Natural Choice, Dietz & Watson
- Best for premium taste: Boar’s Head, Dietz & Watson, Castle Wood Reserve
- Best on a budget: Buddig, Bar-S, Land O’ Frost
- Best everyday all-rounders: Oscar Mayer, Sara Lee, Hillshire Farm
- Best plant-based: Tofurky
- Best artisan or specialty: Saag’s
When comparing labels, pay attention to sodium content (it varies significantly between brands), the presence of nitrates or nitrites, and whether the protein comes from whole muscle meat or restructured product. If you’re buying for kids, lower-sodium options from Applegate or Boar’s Head are often worth the extra cost.
Final Thoughts
The lunch meat market has come a long way. You no longer have to choose between “cheap and processed” or “expensive and hard to find.” Every brand on this list is widely available online or in stores, and each one brings something different to the table — whether that’s clean ingredients, budget pricing, premium flavor, or plant-based convenience.
We hope this guide helps you spend less time standing in the deli aisle and more time enjoying a great sandwich. If you have a favorite brand we didn’t cover, let us know in the comments below.