Learn how to cook turkey bacon in the oven with these helpful tips that show you how to make crispy, delicious bacon every time. This is the best and easiest method!
The recipe card below also includes instructions for cooking turkey bacon in a skillet and in the microwave
There are several methods that can be used to cook turkey bacon. However, baking it in the oven is the best and easiest method for several reasons.
Turkey bacon is really delicious in a breakfast sandwich, like this turkey bacon sandwich made with egg whites and Cheddar on an English muffin. You can also use turkey bacon in a favorite sandwich, BLTs, or a BLT chicken salad.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
As a busy home cook, I’m always looking for tasty and versatile ingredients to have on hand. One of my favorites is turkey bacon. With its savory, smoky flavor but less fat than pork bacon, turkey bacon can elevate all kinds of dishes. If you have a pack in the fridge and aren’t sure how to use it, read on for 12 delicious recipe ideas for how to make the most of turkey bacon!
Breakfast Recipes
Turkey bacon really shines in breakfast dishes. Its smokiness pairs perfectly with eggs, cheese, veggies and more. Here are some morning meal ideas to try:
Turkey Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches
These are so easy to whip up for a grab-and-go breakfast. Simply fry an egg and turkey bacon, put them on an English muffin with cheese, and you’ve got a tasty sandwich. I like to add tomato, spinach or avocado to mine.
Turkey Bacon and Gruyère Egg Cups
Make these mini crustless quiches ahead for quick breakfasts all week Whisk eggs with Gruyère, chopped turkey bacon and bake in a muffin tin. Reheat for a high protein breakfast in minutes.
Turkey Bacon Hashbrown Casserole
This satisfying casserole is perfect for weekend brunch Layer shredded potatoes, turkey bacon, eggs, cheese and cream of chicken soup Bake until bubbly and serve with fresh fruit.
Turkey Bacon Avocado Toast
For a nutrition-packed breakfast, top whole grain toast with mashed avocado, turkey bacon, a poached egg and red pepper flakes. The combo of healthy fats, protein and fiber keeps you full.
Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burritos
Loaded with protein from eggs, turkey bacon, cheese and salsa, these burritos make an ideal on-the-go breakfast. Make a big batch and freeze them.
Lunch and Dinner Dishes
In addition to breakfast, turkey bacon works well in main dishes. Here are some tasty ideas:
Turkey Bacon Brussels Sprouts Pasta
This one-pan pasta dish is flavorful and easy. Toss hot pasta with crispy turkey bacon, shredded Brussels sprouts, Parmesan and lemon. The smoky bacon pairs perfectly with the roasted sprouts.
Turkey Bacon and Sweet Potato Salad
For a healthy salad, use turkey bacon instead of deli ham. Chopped bacon, roasted sweet potatoes, kale and dried cranberries get tossed in a cider vinaigrette.
Turkey Bacon Cheeseburgers
Adding crispy crumbled turkey bacon to your burger patties really amps up the flavor. Top with melty cheddar for an indulgent treat.
Turkey Bacon Wrapped Chicken
For moist and flavorful baked chicken breasts, wrap them in turkey bacon before cooking. The rendered bacon fat keeps the chicken juicy.
Turkey Bacon Mac and Cheese
Everybody loves bacon mac and cheese. For a lighter version, use turkey bacon. Chop it up and stir into the cheesy pasta along with peas or broccoli.
BLT Salad with Turkey Bacon
Transform the classic sandwich into a salad by chopping up turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato and tossing with croutons and ranch dressing.
Turkey Bacon Minestrone
Simmer vegetables, beans and small pasta in broth along with garlic, basil and turkey bacon for a hearty, healthy soup.
Helpful Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for cooking with turkey bacon:
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Choose good quality turkey bacon for the best flavor and texture.
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Cook over medium heat to prevent burning. Turkey bacon browns faster than pork.
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Bake in the oven on a wire rack lined with foil for even cooking.
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Let cool before crumbling or chopping to prevent overcooking.
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Add at the end of cooking when you want crispy, crunchy bits.
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Cook in batches for maximum crispness instead of steaming.
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Store cooked turkey bacon in the fridge up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
With its rich smoky flavor but less fat and calories than pork bacon, turkey bacon is a versatile ingredient to keep stocked in your fridge. Let these recipe ideas inspire you to start cooking with it. From breakfasts to dinners and everything in between, turkey bacon can add flavor and nutrition to all kinds of dishes.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Once you learn how to cook turkey bacon in the oven, youll never cook it any other way!
Step 1: Pat the bacon dry
Step 2: Lay the bacon out on a sheet-pan. Setting it on a rack is optional, but it allows air to circulate around the strips so they cook evenly and are perfectly crispy without burning.
Step 3: Heat the oven to 400F. A typical cooking time for turkey bacon is between 15 to 18 minutes, but start checking the bacon after 12 minutes.
Step 4: Take the bacon out and serve!
Baking turkey bacon is an easy and fool-proof cooking method, if you follow these helpful tips.
- Cooking Time: 15 to 18 minutes is a good range. The exact timing will vary, and different brands will need slightly different cooking times, especially if the bacon is thicker. Also, if turkey bacon is cooked on a rack it will cook slower than if its cooked directly on a sheet-pan. I usually start checking turkey bacon after 12 minutes in the oven.
- Convection oven: Using the convection bake setting on your oven doesnt make much of a difference when baking turkey bacon. The turkey bacon might cook slightly faster but thats the only reason to use it.
- Turning turkey bacon: In all of the batches Ive baked, ive never noticed that turning the turkey bacon makes any difference. Its not worth the hassle.
- Using foil or parchment: Unlike regular pork bacon, hardly any fat renders from turkey bacon while it cooks. The sheet-pan stays pretty darn clean. The only reason to line the sheet-pan with foil or parchment is to make clean-up faster, but its hardly worth it.
- Using a rack: I like putting a cooking rack on the sheet-pan because the turkey bacon cooks more evenly. Hot air circulates around the strips, and the resulting texture will be crispy with just a little bit of chewiness. This is the best way to make turkey bacon crispy, without burning it. However, its not absolutely necessary to use a rack. The bacon will still get crispy if you cook it directly on the sheet-pan. Keep a closer eye on the baking time though, as the strips will cook faster and are more likely to burn when theyre setting directly on a hot sheet-pan.
Oven baked turkey bacon can be eaten and served exactly the same way as regular pork bacon.
- For breakfast, with eggs and toast or pancakes
- In a breakfast sandwich, like a turkey bacon sandwich
- In a club sandwich, BLT or any other type of sandwich
- Crumbled over salads or pasta
- Crumbled over Instant Pot mac n cheese
- Crumbled over soup or chowder – try it with easy stove-top tomato soup!
- Crumbled over baked potatoes
You can still cook turkey bacon in the oven, whether youre cooking an entire package or just a few slices. However, if you dont want to heat up the oven for a few slices you can use a skillet or the microwave.
If youre only cooking a few slices (about 5 or less) the microwave is a quick option. Be careful though, as its really easy to overcook turkey bacon in a microwave. Place the bacon in a single layer on a microwave safe plate and set a paper towel on top (the bacon will sizzle and splatter). The cooking time depends on how many slices youre cooking and how thick the slices are. If youre cooking only 1 slice of thin bacon, it will be very crispy in just one minute. No matter how many slices youre cooking, start with 1 minute, then check the bacon and add on more time as necessary. It shouldnt take more than 2 or 3 minutes total.
A cast iron skillet usually works best. Start the bacon in a single layer in a cold skillet. A cold skillet insures that the bacon heats up slowly and evenly and slowly renders out fat, which will make the bacon crispier. Turn the heat to medium and cook the bacon for a total of about 6 minutes, turning the slices several times, until they are as crispy as you want.
Most types of turkey bacon should be heated and cooked thoroughly before consuming, even if the meat is cured. Even if the packaging says “fully cooked” its always safest to heat turkey bacon before eating it.
Once a package has been opened, the uncooked bacon should be used within 5 to 7 days. You can refrigerate cooked turkey bacon for up to 1 week. You can also freeze cooked bacon, for up to 3 months.
The easiest way to reheat cooked bacon is in the microwave. Start at 10 seconds, then microwave longer if necessary. One caveat: the texture will be chewy after reheating in the microwave. Pantryandlarder.com has a good guide for reheating bacon using several different methods.
If you try this Turkey Bacon recipe please leave a star rating and let me know how the recipe turned out in the comments section below. I love hearing from readers!
Homemade Turkey bacon
FAQ
What is turkey bacon good for?
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Lower in fat:Due to the leaner nature of turkey meat compared to pork belly, turkey bacon contains substantially less fat.
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Higher in protein:Turkey bacon provides a good amount of protein per serving, making it suitable for high-protein diets.
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Similar taste and texture:While not identical to pork bacon, turkey bacon can closely replicate the taste and texture, allowing for a substitute in many recipes.
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Dietary considerations:Great option for people who cannot eat pork for religious or health reasons.
Is turkey bacon junk food?
Just like pork bacon, turkey bacon contains a hefty amount of saturated fat and sodium—two nutrients that, when consumed in excess, can potentially result in some unsavory health outcomes.
Why do bodybuilders eat turkey bacon?
Turkey bacon has fewer calories and less saturated fat than pork bacon—just don’t go hog wild with your portions. Chew on this! Turkey meat is a good source of all the B vitamins, including a high level of B3—aka niacin—which is important for synthesizing the starch stored in muscles and liver for energy.
What part of the pig is turkey bacon?
Turkey bacon isn’t actual a cut of belly of the turkey like pork bacon is. Turkey bacon is simulated bacon strips made from scraps of dark and white turkey meat that is chopped or ground into a mixture that has seasonings added to it. The final mixture is then compressed into bacon-like strips of meat.