How to Save Money by Making Homemade Turkey Cold Cuts

With rising prices and static paychecks its time to look to save money wherever possible. For individuals who spend untold amounts of money at the grocery store purchasing expensive cold cuts, it’s time to learn how to save money by making homemade cold cuts. Compare the price per pound of sliced cold cuts to the price per pound of a turkey or chicken breast. The money savings potential should be enough to encourage you to try making homemade cold cuts.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Turkey Breast
• Chicken Breast (or whole chicken)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Favorite Seasonings
• Large Bowl or Pot (large enough to fully submerge the turkey breast or chicken)
• Cold Water

1. Purchase a whole turkey breast or chicken breast. You can also make homemade cold cuts with whole chickens too.

2. Properly wash the turkey or chicken. If using a whole chicken, be sure to thoroughly clean the inside of the chicken too.

3. Fill the large bowl or pot with cold water. Do not fill it to the top. Fill it about 3 quarters of the way. This will prevent the water from spilling over when the turkey/chicken is submerged in the water.

4. Season the water. Here’s where making homemade cold cuts really gets creative. Using the salt, pepper and favorite seasonings, season the water. For folks who love spicy cold cuts, be sure to include cayenne pepper or chili powder. Individuals who prefer a sweeter less spicy cold cut can create a honey-roasted flavor. Add a little honey or maple syrup to give it that maple cold cut taste. Don’t be shy. Experiment. Pretend you’re at the cold cut counter at the grocery store. Think about the available variety of cold cut flavors. Emulate one or two of them.

5. Whisk the water so the seasonings are fully dissolved. Some seasonings, such as pepper or garlic powder don’t truly dissolve, but make sure the salt is completely absorbed. The great thing about seasoning the water is that it’s safe to sample it to ensure it is properly flavored and to get a hint of what your homemade cold cuts will taste like.

6. Submerge the turkey or chicken in the seasoned water and let is sit for about a half hour. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take long for the seasonings to permeate through the meat. For more intense cold cut flavor, let it sit a little longer.

7. Remove the meat from the seasoning, and roast it in the oven.

8. Thinly slice the turkey or chicken once it’s completely cooked and cooled. Viola, you’ve just saved money by making homemade cold cuts. It’s cheaper, healthier and seasoned just the way you like them.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to overcook the meat.
• For the truly adventurous, invest in a cold cut slicer to really live the homemade cold cut experience.
• Always taste the seasoning before adding the raw meat to the water.

Resources

• Alternative to Ham and Cheese
• Turkey Roasting Tips
• Electric Food Slicer

[Thims]

on 9/25/2008 This would save money! Although, those slicer's can be really expensive!Nice idea!