Is boar's head turkey nitrate-free?

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Many consumers assume 'uncured' or 'no added nitrates' means a product is entirely free of nitrates, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires this labeling for meats using natural preservatives. When addressing the question, 'is boar's head turkey nitrate-free?', the answer requires careful label examination.

Quick Summary

Boar's Head turkey labeled with 'no added nitrates or nitrites' contains naturally occurring nitrates from ingredients like cultured celery powder and sea salt. The product is not truly nitrate-free, which is a crucial distinction for health-conscious consumers.

Key Points

Label Deception: 'No nitrates added' on Boar's Head turkey does not mean it is nitrate-free, due to natural additives.
Natural Nitrates: Products labeled as 'uncured' or 'no nitrates added' use naturally occurring nitrates from sources like cultured celery powder or sea salt for preservation.
Functionality: Naturally derived nitrites from celery powder perform the same preservation functions as synthetic versions, inhibiting bacteria and extending shelf life.
Health Concerns: Both natural and synthetic nitrites can form nitrosamines when heated, which the WHO classifies as probable carcinogens.
Truly Free: To avoid all nitrates, consumers must choose fresh, unprocessed turkey meat and cook it at home, or find brands that use alternative preservation methods like high-pressure processing (HPP).
Boar's Head Specifics: The brand often includes a clarifying footnote on its "no added" labels, detailing the presence of naturally occurring nitrates.
Check Ingredients: The safest way to avoid hidden nitrates is to read the ingredient list carefully and look for celery powder or other nitrate-rich vegetable powders.

The Nuance of 'No Nitrates or Nitrites Added'

For many health-conscious shoppers, the label "no nitrates or nitrites added" seems like a clear sign of a nitrate-free product. However, this phrase does not mean the product is entirely devoid of these compounds. Under USDA regulations, manufacturers must use this specific phrasing if they preserve meat with naturally occurring sources of nitrates, rather than synthetic sodium nitrite or potassium nitrate. This labeling requirement often leads to consumer confusion, as the end result is still a product containing nitrates.

So, while a Boar's Head "All Natural" turkey breast carries this label, a footnote on the ingredient list clarifies the presence of "nitrates or nitrites... naturally occurring in cultured celery powder and sea salt". This is a common practice across the meat industry, where vegetable-based alternatives are used to meet consumer demand for 'cleaner' labels without sacrificing the preservation benefits of nitrates.

The Role of Cultured Celery Powder

Cultured celery powder has become a popular natural curing agent for manufacturers who wish to avoid synthetic preservatives. Celery is naturally high in nitrates. Fermenting celery juice with a starter culture converts its nitrates into nitrites. These naturally derived nitrites function like synthetic ones, inhibiting bacteria, extending shelf life, and creating the characteristic color and flavor of cured meats.

How Natural and Synthetic Nitrates Differ in Your Body

Chemically, nitrites from cultured celery powder are identical to synthetic nitrites once consumed. The body processes them the same way. When nitrites in meat are heated, they can form nitrosamines, which the WHO classifies as probable carcinogens. While some studies suggest antioxidants like vitamin C can inhibit nitrosamine formation, the amount in processed meats cured with celery powder may be insufficient, especially with high-temperature cooking. Many experts recommend caution with all processed meats, regardless of nitrate source.

Products and Processing: Boar's Head Turkey

Boar's Head offers various turkey products with different preservation methods. Understanding the labeling is key:

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast: Typically uses traditional curing methods without a "no nitrates added" label.
*All Natural Oven Roasted Turkey Breast**: Features a "No added nitrites or nitrates‡" label, with a footnote explaining the presence of naturally occurring nitrates from sea salt and/or cultured celery powder.
Organic Oven Roasted Turkey Breast: A USDA Certified Organic product with the same "no added nitrates or nitrites" label and footnote as the All Natural variety.
Golden Roasted Turkey Breast: Marketed as "preservative free," checking the ingredient list for natural nitrate sources is essential.
Uncured Turkey Bacon: Labeled as uncured, indicating the use of natural nitrate sources for preservation.

Cured vs. Uncured Turkey: A Comparison


Feature	Traditionally Cured Turkey	Boar's Head 'Uncured' Turkey	Truly Unprocessed Turkey (Cooked at Home)
Preservation Method	Uses synthetic additives like sodium nitrite or potassium nitrate.	Uses natural sources like cultured celery powder or sea salt.	None; relies on cooking and proper refrigeration for safety.
Nitrate Source	Synthetic chemical additives.	Nitrates naturally occurring in vegetable sources and salt.	Trace amounts from vegetables in diet; none added directly to the meat.
Shelf Life	Extended, due to synthetic preservatives.	Shorter than traditionally cured, but longer than fresh meat.	Very short; must be consumed within a few days.
Flavor	Distinctive salty, savory "cured" flavor profile.	Similar to traditionally cured due to the action of natural nitrites.	Natural, roasted turkey flavor; varies based on seasoning.
Labeling	May be labeled simply as "cured" or list chemical nitrates explicitly.	Labeled "Uncured" or "No nitrates added, except for those naturally occurring...".	"Fresh" or "all natural" with no curing agents listed.

Finding Truly Nitrate-Free Turkey

To completely avoid nitrates, choose fresh, unprocessed turkey and cook it yourself. For deli meat, look for products explicitly labeled preservative-free and meticulously check ingredients for celery powder or other vegetable-derived nitrates. Some brands utilize methods like high-pressure processing (HPP) without curing agents.

Conclusion

It's a common misunderstanding that all Boar's Head turkey is nitrate-free. Products labeled "no nitrates or nitrites added" use natural sources like cultured celery powder and sea salt, which contain naturally occurring nitrates, instead of synthetic ones. Therefore, these products are not truly nitrate-free. Consumers aiming to avoid nitrates entirely should opt for fresh, unprocessed turkey or carefully examine labels for alternatives without any added nitrates, natural or synthetic.

Optional Resources

To learn more about the health effects of nitrates and nitrites, you can read more on the CDC Archive on Nitrate/Nitrite Toxicity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boar's Head products labeled 'uncured' or 'no nitrates added' are not truly nitrate-free because they use natural nitrate sources like cultured celery powder. To find a truly nitrate-free turkey, you would need to look for fresh, unprocessed turkey meat or brands that use alternative preservation methods.

Cultured celery powder is a natural curing agent made from celery juice that has been fermented. This process converts the high level of nitrates naturally found in celery into nitrites, which are then used to preserve and color meat.

From a chemical perspective, once in the body, nitrites from natural sources like celery powder are the same as synthetic nitrites. Both can form potentially harmful nitrosamines, especially when cooked at high heat. Many health experts consider all processed meats with added nitrates, regardless of the source, to carry similar health risks.

Nitrates are used primarily for food safety and shelf life. They prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, especially Clostridium botulinum, and also help maintain the meat's characteristic color and flavor.

Check the ingredient list for terms such as 'cultured celery powder', 'celery powder', 'celery juice', or 'sea salt' alongside a 'no nitrates added' label. This indicates the use of natural nitrate sources.

Yes. Nitrosamines are more likely to form when nitrites in meat are exposed to high heat. Therefore, cooking uncured or cured meat at high temperatures, such as frying, may increase the potential health risk.

For those seeking truly nitrate-free options, cooking your own turkey breast is the best alternative. You can also look for brands that use high-pressure processing (HPP) instead of curing agents, but you must read labels carefully to confirm this.