There’s no replacing the savory, salty crunch of bacon. Almost every dish can have this meat added to it in some way. It goes well with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
With that in mind, you may keep your freezer stocked with at least one package of bacon. Having frozen bacon on hand is helpful, but it leaves us with the question of how to cook frozen bacon.
We’ll talk about whether or not frozen bacon needs to be thawed before it can be cooked. We’ll also talk about some common ways to cook frozen bacon. Table of Contents.
Turkey bacon has become a popular lower-fat alternative to traditional pork bacon. It has a similar smoky, salty flavor but with fewer calories and less saturated fat. The downside is that turkey bacon is more prone to drying out during cooking.
Many people opt to buy turkey bacon in bulk when it goes on sale, and store the extra packages in the freezer. But freezing can exacerbate dryness when you go to cook it. Thawing turkey bacon properly is key to ensuring it stays nice and juicy.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about defrosting turkey bacon the right way
Why Defrosting is Important
It may be tempting to skip defrosting and just throw frozen turkey bacon right into the pan. Resist that urge! Cooking from frozen leads to uneven cooking poor texture, and accelerated moisture loss.
The high heat needed to cook the icy cold bacon causes the outside to overcook and dry out before the inside thaws. Defrosting allows the turkey bacon to cook gently and evenly for the best results.
3 Recommended Ways to Defrost Turkey Bacon
Here are the top methods for safely thawing frozen turkey bacon:
1. Refrigerator Thawing
Allowing turkey bacon to gradually thaw in the refrigerator is ideal when you have ample time. Place the bacon in a bowl or pan to catch any drips. Allow 24 hours for a 1 pound package to fully defrost.
Pros:
- Safest method, minimizing bacterial growth
- Results in least moisture loss
Cons:
- Takes significant time
- Requires advance planning
2. Cold Water Thaw
For quicker defrosting, you can submerge the turkey bacon in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. 1 pound should thaw in 1-2 hours.
Pros:
- Faster than refrigerator
- Still keeps bacon cool
Cons:
- Can lead to texture changes
- Risk of waterlogging if not monitored
3. Microwave Defrost
If you’re in a rush, defrosting turkey bacon in the microwave works in just a few minutes. Place on a plate, defrost at 50% power in 30 second bursts, flipping occasionally.
Pros:
- Much faster than other methods
- Convenient for last minute defrosting
Cons:
- Can lead to cook spots if not careful
- Microwaves vary in defrost effectiveness
No matter which method you use, be sure to cook the turkey bacon immediately after thawing for food safety.
What to Avoid When Defrosting Turkey Bacon
There are a few defrosting methods you should avoid:
- Room temperature thaw – Bacteria multiply quickly at room temp.
- Running warm water – Raises temp too high, breeding bacteria.
- Cooking from frozen – Leads to poor texture and dryness.
- Microwaving to cook – Makes bacon rubbery and uneven.
Always keep turkey bacon chilled while thawing to prevent bacterial growth. Cook it promptly once thawed.
How to Handle and Store Thawed Turkey Bacon
Once your frozen turkey bacon is defrosted, here are some tips for handling and storage:
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Pat bacon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture from thawing.
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Use thawed bacon within 1-2 days for best quality and safety.
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Keep thawed bacon tightly wrapped in fridge to prevent drying out or absorbing odors.
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For longer storage, re-wrap extra thawed bacon and refreeze.
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When reheating previously cooked turkey bacon, use microwave or steamer to avoid drying out.
Proper storage and handling keeps thawed turkey bacon in optimal condition to cook with.
Best Practices for Cooking Thawed Turkey Bacon
Follow these tips for cooking defrosted turkey bacon to crispy, juicy perfection:
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Choose a thick, heavy pan that conducts heat evenly. Stainless steel or cast iron works great.
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Cook over medium to medium-low heat only. High heat causes curling and dryness.
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Lay bacon strips out in a single layer. Overcrowding leads to steaming versus crisping.
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Flip bacon just once halfway through cooking. Turning too often leads to curling.
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Blot bacon with a paper towel as it cooks to absorb excess grease for crispness.
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Cook until bacon reaches desired crispness, removing earlier for chewier texture.
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Let bacon drain briefly on paper towels after cooking to soak up residual grease.
The lower heat and gentle handling prevents the defrosted turkey bacon from overcooking or drying out.
Troubleshooting Common Turkey Bacon Issues
Having trouble getting good results with your defrosted turkey bacon? Here are some common issues and fixes:
Bacon won’t get crispy: Use a lower temp, blot grease during cooking, don’t overcrowd pan.
Bacon curls: Cook at lower heat, use a bacon press, don’t turn too often.
Bacon is too chewy: Cook for a longer duration to render fat fully.
Bacon is too crispy: Don’t overcook – remove just before it reaches desired crispness.
Bacon is dry/brittle: Defrost and cook at lower temp.
Bacon sticks to pan: Don’t overload pan, let cool before removing bacon.
With proper defrosting and cooking methods, you can enjoy deliciously crispy turkey bacon every time!
How Does Turkey Bacon Compare to Pork Bacon?
Turkey bacon has a similar smoky, salty flavor to pork bacon but some differences in nutrition and cooking qualities:
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Lower fat – Turkey bacon is roughly half the fat of pork bacon.
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Fewer calories – Each strip has about 40 calories compared to pork’s 60 calories.
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More protein – Turkey bacon packs around 6g protein per slice versus pork’s 4g.
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Leaner uncooked – Turkey bacon is dark pink compared to pork’s red strips.
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Cooks differently – Turkey bacon shrinks more and crisps up faster.
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More delicate – Prone to drying out if overcooked.
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Milder flavor – The taste doesn’t have as much umami richness.
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Costs more – Double the price or more versus basic pork bacon.
Turkey bacon makes sense for people monitoring fat and calories. Just take care when cooking to prevent it from drying out. Enhance flavor with spices, herbs, sauce glazes or mixing with pork bacon.
Buying and Storing Turkey Bacon
When purchasing and storing turkey bacon, keep these tips in mind:
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Check the label – Confirms it’s made from whole turkey, not reformed meat.
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Avoid added nitrates – Nitrate-free is healthier.
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Opt for low sodium – Helps manage overall salt intake.
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Look for good marbling – Some fat streaks keep it moist.
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Choose thinner slices – Makes it easier to get crispy texture.
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Check expiration date – Don’t buy if close to expiring.
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Store sealed in fridge – Keeps for 5-7 days once opened.
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Use freezer for bulk – Lets you buy on sale; keeps 6 months frozen.
Proper selection and storage helps turkey bacon stay fresh and minimizes waste.
Health Benefits of Turkey Bacon
Turkey bacon offers some potential health advantages over regular pork bacon:
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Less saturated fat – Half the amount compared to pork.
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Fewer calories – Around 40 calories a slice versus 60 in pork.
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More protein – Turkey bacon packs about 6g protein per slice.
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Lower sodium – Look for low sodium options with reduced salt.
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Nitrate-free options – Some turkey bacons avoid added nitrates.
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Lean nutrition – Also provides iron, zinc, potassium and B vitamins.
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Preservative-free choices – Shun added sugar, phosphates, etc.
While no bacon is truly health food, turkey bacon can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.
Recipe Ideas for Turkey Bacon
Your thawed turkey bacon can be enjoyed in all the same ways as regular bacon. Here are some recipe ideas:
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Breakfast sandwiches
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Omelets and frittatas
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Salads – wilted or crisp
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Loaded baked potatoes
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Soup toppings like baked potato soup
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Pasta carbonara
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Brussels sprouts with bacon
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Split pea soup with bacon
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Bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers
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Bacon mac and cheese
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Cobb salad
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Bacon fried rice
With its milder flavor, turkey bacon also pairs well with sweeter ingredients like apples, sweet potatoes, and honey mustard dressings. Get creative with how you use it!
Properly defrosting turkey bacon ensures it cooks up juicy, tender and full of flavor. Allow plenty of time to defrost in the fridge, or speed it up in cold water or the microwave. Cook gently over medium-low heat to prevent drying out. With the right handling, turkey bacon can deliver tasty results, especially when enhancing its mild flavor with spices and sauces. Learn how to defrost and cook turkey bacon to perfection so you can enjoy its benefits anytime.
How to Thaw Frozen Bacon
It’s not necessary to thaw frozen bacon before cooking, but it can help you handle the strips more easily and cook them faster. When you want to make Oven Roasted Bacon Wrapped Asparagus or Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potatoes, you need to wrap bacon strips around other foods.
If you’re not in a rush, you can thaw bacon in the refrigerator. Close a frozen bacon package and put it in the fridge. The bacon will thaw over the course of the day. This method works great if you’re planning to cook a bacon-filled dish the next day.
That being said, if you want to eat your frozen bacon a few hours later, you’ll need to use faster defrosting methods.
One method is to place the sealed package of bacon in a bowl filled with cold water. Because the water speeds up the thawing process, a pound of bacon will be ready to cook in thirty minutes.
Another quick thawing method is using the defrost setting on your microwave. Before you begin thawing, remove the frozen bacon from the plastic packaging and set it on a plate. Since microwaves have different amounts of power, you should check on your bacon every minute. It should be ready in five minutes.
There are many ways to cook bacon after it has been frozen. You can use the stove, the air fryer, or the oven.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon
Bigger pieces of meat, like chicken breasts and pork butts, need to thaw before cooking. But bacon can go straight from the freezer to the stove. However, you will need to separate the individual strips of bacon before cooking.
If your strips are stuck together, try prying them apart with your hands or a fork. If this is too hard, you can run cold water over the bacon for a few minutes to make it a little less frozen.
After cutting frozen bacon into strips, you can cook them in any way you would cook thawed bacon. The only difference is that the strips will take a few minutes longer to cook.
Do you have to defrost turkey bacon?
How do you defrost Bacon?
Consider the following methods: 1. Coldwater bath: Using cold water, you can defrost the bacon relatively quickly. Place the bacon in its original packaging into a watertight container or freezer bag, then place the bag into a bowl of cold tap water on the kitchen counter.
How do you Thaw a bag of bacon?
Submerge the bag of bacon in cold water. Fill the sink, or a large bowl, with cold tap water. Place the watertight bag of bacon into the water. Don’t use the sink if you need to wash dishes in the next hour. Replace the water every 30 minutes until the bacon is thawed. The water will warm up over time, especially if you live in a warm climate.
Can You defrost bacon if you don’t have a chef?
You don’t have to be a chef to get your bacon at the temperature that you want it to be in order to cook it. One of the easiest and most natural ways to defrost bacon is by putting it in the sink and run tap, cold water over it. Just put the bacon in its original wrapping on a grill and allow cold water to run over it.
Can you cook bacon after thawing?
And as with the previous method, cook it immediately after thawing. You may have put bacon out on the countertop to thaw from frozen, believing that it will defrost by dinnertime or overnight for tomorrow’s breakfast. But be warned — the USDA recommends avoiding this method, as defrosting at room temperature is unsafe and can lead to contamination.
How long do you defrost Bacon in a microwave?
Use the “meat defrosting” feature on your microwave and set it for the amount of time is recommended according to the device you use. The general time for defrosting bacon should be anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes if you use the microwave.
How long does it take to defrost Bacon in an air fryer?
But generally, defrosting bacon in an air fryer takes about five minutes. Instructions for how to defrost bacon in air fryer: Place the frozen bacon in the air fryer basket. Defrost the bacon for about five minutes. Using tongs, separate the bacon into individual pieces. Remove separated pieces of bacon from the air fryer.