Review of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni

Everyone loves a good pizza, but between the greasy crust, fatty cheese and meaty toppings, it certainly isn't a healthy dish. Making your own pizza at home is definitely healthier than ordering delivery or using a frozen pizza. Using a lower fat version of pepperoni is a way to cut down even more on the fat in pizza. But does Hormel Turkey Pepperoni taste as good as the regular?

Nutritional Comparison. The package of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni proudly claims that it has 70% less fat than regular pepperoni. According to the Nutrition Facts label, the regular Hormel Pepperoni has 140 calories (120 from fat) and 13 grams of fat per 14 piece serving. Of the fat in one serving of regular Hormel Pepperoni, 6 grams is saturated. The first three ingredients listed for the regular Hormel Pepperoni are pork, beef, and salt.

The Hormel Turkey Pepperoni, in comparison, contains 70 calories per 17 piece serving, with only 4 grams of fat. This works out to be over 69% less than the regular Hormel Pepperoni. The fat in the Hormel Turkey Pepperoni contains 1.5 grams of saturated fat, or 75% less than the regular pepperoni. The first three ingredients for the turkey pepperoni are dark turkey meat, salt and spices. The Hormel Turkey Pepperoni is definitely a healthier alternative to regular pepperoni. But is it as tasty as the original?

On the Pizza: Taste and Appearance. The Hormel Turkey Pepperoni slices are thicker than the regular. The turkey pepperoni slices are also darker in appearance, with fewer white spots. (The white spots on regular pepperoni are fat.) Due to the lower fat content, the pepperoni didn't shrink as much while the pizza was being baked. This allows for more pepperoni in each bite of pizza. Regular pepperoni shrinks quite a bit when the pizza is baked. Best of all, the Hormel Turkey Pepperoni tasted even better than the original! The lesser fat content allowed more room for the flavorful spices. This is in addition to getting more pepperoni in each bite because it doesn't shrink as much.

Cost. One six ounce package of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni retails for $3.99 at my local grocery store. Comparatively, the regular Hormel Pepperoni cost $4.29 for eight ounces. The Hormel Turkey Pepperoni does have a higher price per ounce. However, when you consider that several of your regular pepperoni ounces are fat that will be melting away and greasing up your pizza, the Hormel Turkey Pepperoni is a great deal.