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 an increasingly popular alternative to traditional pork bacon. Lower in fat and calories turkey bacon still delivers on the salty smoky flavor we crave in the morning. Its leanness also makes turkey bacon ideal for air frying or baking to a satisfying crisp. But many home cooks wonder, can you cook turkey bacon straight from the freezer or does it need to be thawed first?
In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook frozen turkey bacon to perfection. You’ll learn about the best cooking methods how long to cook it, tips to ensure crispy turkey bacon, and why you may want to keep your freezer stocked with it! Let’s dive in.
Can You Cook Frozen Turkey Bacon?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely cook turkey bacon directly from frozen! There’s no need to thaw it first Cooking from frozen just means it will take a few extra minutes to reach the ideal texture
Turkey bacon’s leanness makes it well suited for cooking from frozen. The frozen state helps render out more fat and achieve a desirably crispy end result. So next time you’re in a pinch, go ahead and grab a frozen pack from the freezer and start cooking.
Why Cook Frozen Turkey Bacon?
Cooking turkey bacon straight from the freezer offers several advantages:
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No thawing time required – you can go from freezer to skillet in minutes.
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Long freezer shelf life – keeps significantly longer than refrigerated.
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Cooks up crisper – the frozen state helps deliver crunchy bacon.
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Fewer dishes – no messy thawed bacon juices to clean up.
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Easy breakfasts – cook while prepping other parts of breakfast.
Frozen turkey bacon is my go-to for busy weekday mornings. I like knowing I’ve always got some on hand ready to cook.
Best Cooking Methods
You’ve got options when it comes to cooking frozen turkey bacon. Here are some top methods to try:
Oven Baking
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange frozen bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. This hands-off method consistently crisps up the bacon.
Stovetop
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add frozen turkey bacon in a single layer. Cook 4-5 minutes per side, flipping occasionally. The stovetop allows you to crisp up small batches quickly.
Air Fryer
Set air fryer to 400°F. Add frozen turkey bacon and cook 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway. The circulating hot air crisps up the bacon strips evenly.
Microwave
Microwave frozen bacon 1-2 minutes at a time, until desired crispness is reached. This is the quickest method when you’re in a real rush.
Cook Times for Frozen Turkey Bacon
Frozen turkey bacon takes slightly longer to cook than thawed. Here are general guidelines for approximate cook times:
- Oven at 400°F: 16 to 20 minutes
- Skillet on Medium Heat: 5 to 7 minutes per side
- **Air Fryer at 400°F: ** 10 to 12 minutes
- Microwave: 2 to 4 minutes total
No matter which cooking method you choose, keep a close eye on doneness toward the end of the recommended cook times. All microwaves and appliances vary.
Tips for Crispy, Crunchy Bacon
Achieving crispy frozen turkey bacon does take some finesse. Follow these tips for the best texture:
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Use single layers – no overlapping or overcrowding.
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Flip halfway through when oven baking or air frying.
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Cook at medium heat on the stovetop.
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Microwave in 30 second intervals, rearranging slices.
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Let rest 1-2 minutes after cooking as carryover cooking continues.
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Blot with paper towels to remove excess grease.
When in doubt, set your appliance to a slightly lower temperature and cook the bacon a little longer for the best consistency without burning.
Why Turkey Bacon Deserves A Spot In Your Freezer
If you’re used to traditional pork bacon, turkey bacon may take some getting used to. But there are good reasons to make the switch:
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Fewer calories and less fat – leanness appeals to health-conscious eaters
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Packs protein – keeps you fuller longer
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Holds up better when cooked – achieves satisfying crispiness
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More budget-friendly than premium pork bacon
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Milder flavor – complements other ingredients without overpowering
Once you get your frozen turkey bacon cooking technique down, you may find yourself reaching for it more often! It’s the perfect protein to have stocked in the freezer.
Serving Up Success
As you can see, cooking frozen turkey bacon crispy and delicious is absolutely possible with the right techniques. Now that you know the ideal methods, cook times, and tips, you can stop worrying about those frozen packs waiting in your freezer.
Embrace the convenience of frozen turkey bacon for fast breakfast sandwiches, salad toppings, breakfast bakes, and beyond. I like mixing up the flavors by using maple flavored, honey smoked, or applewood smoked varieties.
So next time you need a quick protein boost, go forth and cook that frozen turkey bacon! You’ve got the knowledge and skills to crispy, crunchy perfection every time. Trust me, once you get the crispy frozen cooking method down, you’ll never look back. Enjoy!
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.
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.
Can you cook turkey bacon from frozen?
FAQ
Do I need to thaw turkey bacon before cooking?
Is bacon safe to cook from frozen?
Can you cook frozen turkey bacon in the microwave?
Can I put frozen bacon in the oven?