For those who find cooking turkey bacon difficult, I’ll show you how to make it perfectly crispy every time.
Turkey bacon is something that many people struggle with. They want to have it, but hate the texture. It’s just…mushy.
Not that long ago, I went to my fellowship and we had a big baked potato bar potluck. I volunteered to bring the turkey bacon.
As everyone began to put together their potatoes, a few asked, “Is that turkey bacon?” The next question was, “How did you make it so crispy?”
I make turkey bacon crispy with two different methods. Below I will share both methods that I use.
Turkey bacon has become increasingly popular as a healthier alternative to regular pork bacon. While the nutrition profile is somewhat similar, many people prefer the leaner taste and texture of turkey bacon. However, a common complaint is that turkey bacon fails to get as crispy as pork bacon.
Luckily, with the right techniques, you can easily achieve crispy, delicious turkey bacon every time! In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make turkey bacon with a perfect crisp texture.
Why Turkey Bacon Doesn’t Get as Crispy
There are a few reasons why turkey bacon is prone to ending up chewy rather than crispy:
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Less fat content – Pork bacon is very high in fat which renders out during cooking and crisps up the bacon. Turkey bacon contains less fat overall so there is less to render and crisp the meat.
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Thinner slices – Turkey bacon slices tend to be thinner than pork bacon. With less meat, the slices overcook quickly and don’t have as long to crisp up.
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Added water – Many turkey bacons contain added water, which prevents the meat from crisping up properly.
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Cooking method – Frying turkey bacon on too low of heat leads to steaming rather than crisping
How to Buy Turkey Bacon for Crispy Results
To achieve crispy turkey bacon, it helps to choose the right product:
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Check the ingredients – Choose turkey bacon with minimal added water or other fillers that may prevent crisping
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Get thick-cut – Thicker slices will crisp up better than thin-cut turkey bacon. Aim for at least 1/8 inch thick.
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Uncured is best – Uncured turkey bacons have less water content and achieve crisper textures.
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Opt for quality brands – Higher-end turkey bacons like Applegate or Wellshire Farms are less processed and crisp up better.
Cooking Methods for Crispy Turkey Bacon
Pan-Frying
Frying turkey bacon in a skillet is a quick and easy way to get it crispy. Use these tips:
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Use a heavy skillet or cast iron pan to evenly distribute heat. Nonstick is also fine.
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Cook the bacon over medium-high heat. Too low and it will steam rather than crisp.
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Add just 1/2 tablespoon oil or butter to prevent sticking. Too much fat causes steaming.
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Cook the bacon in a single layer without overlapping to allow even crisping.
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Flip the bacon frequently, every 30 seconds to 1 minute. Frequent flipping prevents cupping.
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Cook to the desired level of crispness, typically 2-4 minutes per side.
Baking
For crispy turkey bacon with zero mess, oven-baking is the way to go:
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Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
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Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the sheet without overlapping.
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Bake at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until crisped to your liking, 15-18 minutes total.
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For extra-crispy bacon, bake at 425°F, flipping occasionally, for 18-22 minutes total.
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A wire cooling rack on the baking sheet allows air circulation for even crispness.
Air Frying
Air fryers quickly circulate hot air for crispy turkey bacon with minimal oil. Follow these tips:
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Cut the bacon slices to fit your air fryer basket in a single layer.
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Set temperature to 370-400°F and cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Check often and cook to desired crispness. Thicker slices may take longer.
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Optional: Spray with oil for extra crispness since air fryers use little oil.
Tips to Maximize Crispness
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Pat turkey bacon dry before cooking to remove excess moisture.
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Add spices and sweet glazes before cooking to boost flavor as turkey bacon crisps.
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Drain cooked turkey bacon on paper towels to remove grease for an extra-crispy finish.
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Allow cooked turkey bacon to cool slightly before eating, as it will continue to crisp as it cools.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat later in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.
Recipes for Crispy Turkey Bacon
Easy Pan-Fried Turkey Bacon
Ingredients:
- Turkey bacon slices
- Butter or oil for cooking
Instructions:
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Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter or oil.
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Cook bacon slices in a single layer for 2-4 minutes per side until crisped, flipping frequently.
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Drain on paper towels before serving.
Crispy Oven-Baked Turkey Bacon
Ingredients:
- Turkey bacon slices
- Parchment paper
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 425°F.
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Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange bacon slices in a single layer.
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Bake for 15 minutes, flip, and bake 10 more minutes until crisped.
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Drain on paper towels before serving.
Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Bacon
Ingredients:
- Turkey bacon slices
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions:
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Combine glaze ingredients and brush onto turkey bacon slices.
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Bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and caramelized.
The Secret to Crispy Turkey Bacon
The secret lies in using the right cooking method for your technique of choice. Pan-frying requires high heat with frequent flipping. Baking calls for high heat with ample air circulation. Air frying uses technology to crisp with no oil needed.
With a quality turkey bacon that isn’t overly processed, the right prep, and these simple tricks, you can enjoy turkey bacon with a satisfying, crispy texture every time. Ditch the chewy turkey bacon for good!
To Make Crispy Turkey Bacon Bits you will need:
- turkey bacon
- knife & cutting board
- paper towels
- cast iron skillet
- spatula
- duck fat
- plate or platter
To begin, pat the bacon dry with paper towels, wiping both sides of the slices.
Cut the bacon into thin strips. Set them aside for a moment.
Add a tablespoon or two of duck fat to your cast iron skillet. Put these on pretty high heat (not as high as your stove can go) until the fat shimmers.
Add turkey bacon strips to the skillet in a single layer. Work in batches. Don’t move them.
Wait for a minute or two, until the bacon begins to brown and release from the surface of the skillet, then use a thin spatula to turn the strips over to fully cook.
When they are done, transfer the bacon to a platter or plate lined with paper towels.
Enjoy your CRISPY turkey bacon bits.
You can cook turkey bacon slices in a cast iron skillet the same way you cook the bits. But turkey bacon is delicate and prone to tearing. It’s easier to work with the slices if you cut them in half.
For perfectly cooked turkey bacon slices, I make them in my air fryer.
Watch the 2 Crispy Turkey Bacon Methods in the Video Below:
I use my cast iron skillet to make bacon whenever I want bacon bits or crumbles.
To make it this way, there are three things you need.
Turkey bacon is extremely lean, and also very delicate. It is a serious challenge to cook it crispy.
To remedy the leanness, I add a little fat. My favorite fat to use is duck fat, because it can handle high heat without smoking. You can use another fat, but I’m telling you, give duck fat a try. It is also AMAZING for making skillet fried potatoes.
How to Make CRISPY Turkey Bacon
FAQ
Why doesn’t turkey bacon get crispy?
Why is turkey bacon so dry?
Is turkey bacon supposed to be chewy?
How to make turkey bacon crispy?
To make it this way, there are three things you need. Turkey bacon is extremely lean, and also very delicate. It is a serious challenge to cook it crispy. To remedy the leanness, I add a little fat. My favorite fat to use is duck fat, because it can handle high heat without smoking.
How do you cook turkey bacon in a crock pot?
Prepare the baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) and place a wire rack on top of the prepared baking sheet. Position the turkey bacon: Line the raw turkey bacon on the wire rack in a single layer. Make sure no strips overlap one another. Bake: Place strips of turkey bacon in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
How long does it take to cook turkey bacon?
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line turkey bacon slices on the wire rack making sure not to overlap. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, flip them and bake for another 5 minutes.
How do you cook turkey bacon in the oven?
Place an oven-safe cookie rack of the same size on top of the baking sheet. (Get the perfect pan + rack here!) Arrange the turkey bacon slices in a single layer on the rack. Place turkey bacon in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until done to your liking.
Can you freeze cooked turkey bacon?
Reheat: Warm oven baked turkey bacon in the microwave on a paper towel, or air fry for 1-2 minutes. Freeze: To freeze, wrap portions in plastic wrap with parchment paper in between layers. Place in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. There are so many ways to use cooked turkey bacon.
How do you know if Turkey bacon is cooked?
Bubbles and dripping liquid are a good sign because they indicate that the turkey bacon is getting rid of excess liquid and crisping up. Broil your turkey bacon: If you choose to broil turkey bacon at the end of the baking process, cook it for no longer than 1 minute and be sure to keep an eye on it.