Least Processed Deli Meat Brands
Deli meats undergo curing, smoking, and injection with sodium solutions containing nitrates, phosphates, and flavorings. Even "natural" or "uncured" varieties use celery powder (a natural nitrate source) that functions identically to synthetic sodium nitrite. The least processed options are simple roasted or baked meats with minimal ingredients.
Deli Meat at a Glance
15 Least Processed Deli Meat Brands
Brands ranked by lowest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diestel | 7 | 1.7 7.4 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Noel | 7 | 2.0 2.5 | 0 | 7 |
| 3 | Nuna naturals | 12 | 2.3 5.8 | 0 | 9 |
| 4 | La quercia | 68 | 2.3 3.4 | 0 | 58 |
| 5 | Gio | 5 | 2.5 3.5 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Organic prairie | 12 | 2.5 5.8 | 0 | 5 |
| 7 | O organics | 12 | 2.8 5.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Plainville farms | 27 | 3.0 5.5 | 0 | 6 |
| 9 | Sky top farms | 5 | 3.0 3.6 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Maestri | 22 | 3.0 3.6 | 0 | 14 |
| 11 | Organic valley | 21 | 3.1 4.0 | 0 | 9 |
| 12 | True story | 41 | 3.1 4.5 | 0 | 14 |
| 13 | Lunds & byerlys | 26 | 3.1 6.3 | 0 | 3 |
| 14 | Principe | 24 | 3.5 3.5 | 0 | 9 |
| 15 | Perdue | 6 | 3.5 6.3 | 0 | 3 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Least Processed
Least Processed Deli Meat Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Deli Meat Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Look for "roasted" or "baked" rather than "cured" — fewer chemical treatments
- 2"Uncured" or "no nitrates added" still contains natural nitrates from celery powder
- 3Sodium phosphate and carrageenan are water-retention agents that signal processing
- 4Ingredient lists under 6 items indicate less processed deli meat
Most Processed Deli Meat Brands
For comparison — brands with the highest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barneys bakery | 6 | 13.9 3.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 2 | Kraft | 6 | 10.9 3.5 | 6 | 0 |
| 3 | Little town jerky company | 8 | 10.0 2.6 | 8 | 0 |
| 4 | Almirante | 5 | 9.8 3.5 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | Spartan | 8 | 9.7 4.1 | 4 | 0 |
| 6 | Unbranded | 8 | 9.0 3.4 | 5 | 1 |
| 7 | Land o frost | 11 | 8.9 4.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | Mrs. goldfarbs unreal deli | 6 | 8.9 7.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 9 | Burnett dairy | 9 | 8.7 3.7 | 6 | 0 |
| 10 | Cheesewich | 15 | 8.6 3.3 | 4 | 0 |
| 11 | Weis quality | 6 | 8.4 6.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 12 | Harris teeter | 41 | 8.2 5.0 | 19 | 0 |
| 13 | Di lusso | 9 | 8.0 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Battistoni | 6 | 8.0 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Slim jim | 11 | 8.0 2.6 | 6 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is deli meat ultra-processed?
Most commercial deli meat is Level 3-4 due to curing agents, phosphates, and flavorings. However, simple roasted turkey or chicken breast with just meat, salt, and minimal seasonings can score Level 2.
Is turkey deli meat less processed than other deli meats?
Not inherently. Processing depends on the brand and method, not the meat type. A simple roasted turkey breast has fewer additives than a heavily seasoned turkey with injected sodium solutions.
What does "uncured" deli meat mean?
Legally, "uncured" means no synthetic sodium nitrite was added. However, these products use celery powder or cherry powder as natural nitrate sources that have the same preservative effect.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.