Where Does Subway Get Its Meat? (All You Need To Know)

Subway is synonymous with delicious sub sandwiches, and the many varieties of lunch meat and other meats Subway offers are always fresh and tasty.

But perhaps you’re curious about the sources of Subway’s meat. Well, I’ve been wondering about the same thing, so keep reading to check out all my research!

Where Does Subway Get Its Meat?

Subway obtains its lunch meat from various suppliers like Perdue, West Liberty Foods, Keystone, Ed Miniat, and others. Also, Subway’s chicken is antibiotic-free, and the company is on track to serve only antibiotic-free chicken, turkey, beef, and pork products by 2025.

If you’re curious about more information about Subway’s meat and seafood suppliers, keep reading! I’ve found all the answers you need!

Who Are Subway’s Meat Suppliers?

West Liberty Foods, an Iowa-based company, has been a major supplier of Subway’s turkey and cold-cut combo meats for many years.

In fact, West Liberty Foods was named Subway’s Supplier of the Year in 2001.

As for the chicken, Subway uses antibiotic-free chicken sourced from various businesses, including West Liberty Foods, Perdue, and others.

Subway’s other meats, such as ham and steak, are sourced from various suppliers, and Subway has said it relies heavily on local suppliers throughout the country.

What Types Of Meat Does Subway Sell?

Subway offers several types of lunch meats and other meat products for its many sub sandwiches, salads, and wraps.

That said, the following meats are what Subway currently offers:

  • Turkey lunch meat
  • Steak
  • Black Forest Ham
  • Meatballs
  • Salami
  • Roast Beef (has been discontinued at certain times but might be returning)
  • Chicken lunch meat
  • Grilled chicken
  • Tuna

Also, this list is a sampling of Subway’s meat varieties and may not necessarily be a complete list for some locations.

What Sustainable and Healthy Changes Has Subway Made To Its Meat Products?

What Sustainable And Healthy Changes Has Subway Made To Its Meat Products?

Subway prides itself on its changes to more healthy, antibiotic-free lunch meats.

For example, Subway’s chicken is now antibiotic-free, and the company is working hard to move all of its meat products in that direction.

Not only that, Subway emphasizes the measures it has taken to produce meat products sustainably and ethically that don’t harm the environment.

For example, one of Subway’s poultry suppliers converts waste from its chickens into organic fertilizer, which can then be used for other aspects of farming.

In addition, another chicken supplier has a 50-acre wetland that treats the wastewater from the poultry facility and sustains many types of wildlife in the process.

Are All Subway Meats Made From Turkey?

It’s a myth that all of Subway’s lunch meat products are actually made from turkey. For whatever reason, people spread this rumor, but it’s simply not true.

Having said that, it’s true that Subway’s cold-cut combo meats, which consist of bologna, ham, and salami, are turkey products.

But, Subway’s Black Forest Ham and other lunch meats are authentic.

What Is Subway’s Tuna Made From?

While some would argue that seafood is not technically meat, it’s basically in the same general category.

With that, Subway has stated that its tuna is the only seafood sandwich sold in all of its Subway locations and stores worldwide.

Additionally, Subway only uses skipjack tuna, which is considered the least problematic species of tuna to fish for.

What Is Subway’s Steak Made Of?

Fans of the Subway steak subs are possibly wondering about the type of meat it is. So, Subway’s steak is not like steak you might order at a restaurant, but it is beef.

That said, the steak product is pre-cooked and resembles jerky, although it’s tender and juicy like jerky and tastes much different.

While Subway doesn’t make steak subs with high-quality steak, many people agree it’s a very delicious sub when paired with melted cheese and veggies.

If you want to know more, you can also see our posts on what are the toppings at Subway, if Subway food is really fresh, and Subway cheese types.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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