As you learn more about healthy eating, you may be looking for new, tasty foods that are natural, high in nutrients, or low in fat. Whole-cut turkey bacon is a healthy, leaner source of protein, and when it’s smoked over real wood, it tastes a lot like pork bacon. How does it cook, though? There’s no secret to cooking turkey bacon; just use simple, tried-and-true methods. Here are some instructions for getting your bacon just right.
If you’re trying to cut back on fat and calories, turkey bacon can seem like a healthier alternative to regular pork bacon. But one thing that often confuses people is that turkey bacon doesn’t produce nearly as much grease when cooking as pork bacon does. So does turkey bacon make its own grease at all?
The short answer is yes, turkey bacon does make some of its own grease when cooked properly. But the amount is significantly less than traditional bacon Understanding the differences between pork and turkey bacon helps explain why.
Why Turkey Bacon Makes Less Grease
There are a few key reasons why turkey bacon produces less grease than pork bacon:
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Less fat content – Pork bacon is very high in fat. Turkey bacon is much lower in fat since turkey meat itself is quite lean. Less fat equals less grease rendered out.
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Added water – Many turkey bacons contain added water which helps keep them moist. This water evaporates away rather than turning to grease.
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Leaner meat – Turkey breast meat has very little fat marbled through it. Pork belly is naturally fatty which helps grease render.
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Curing process – Pork bacon is cured in grease and salt which adds to its high fat content. Turkey bacon is often cured in a drier mixture.
So while pork fat melts away very readily, the lower natural fat content in turkey bacon means less grease overall. But some grease is still produced.
Maximizing the Grease in Turkey Bacon
While turkey bacon makes significantly less grease than pork varieties, you can still get some grease and crisping by:
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Choosing turkey bacon with no added water – Dry cured turkey bacons render out more fat than those pumped with water.
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Baking in the oven – The hot, dry oven air helps draw more grease out.
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Cooking over medium-low heat – Higher heat causes moisture loss rather than grease rendering.
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Using a bit of oil – Adding just a small amount of a high smoke point oil boosts browning.
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Blotting – Blot cooked bacon on paper towels to soak up excess grease while keeping it crispy.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon With and Without Grease
Want to get the most out of the small amount of grease in turkey bacon? Here are tips for cooking with and without the grease:
Cooking Without Added Grease
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In the oven – Bake at 400°F on a parchment lined baking sheet. Flip halfway through cooking.
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In the microwave – Place strips between paper towels and microwave in 30 second bursts, flipping occasionally.
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On a grill – Place over direct medium heat, flipping every couple minutes until crisped.
Cooking With Added Grease
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In a skillet – Cook over medium-low heat in a bit of olive or avocado oil, flipping occasionally.
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In an air fryer – Mist strips lightly with oil before air frying at 370°F for 5-7 minutes.
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In the oven – Place strips on a foil-lined sheet for easier grease drainage.
For sauteing with added grease, a small amount is all you need—just enough to coat the bottom of the skillet. Nonstick pans need even less.
Delicious Ways to Use Turkey Bacon Grease
Don’t let that tasty turkey bacon grease go to waste! Here are some options:
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Use it to saute vegetables like Brussels sprouts for extra flavor.
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Brush over potatoes before roasting in the oven.
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Mix a spoonful into egg dishes like scrambled eggs or omelets.
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Add some to cornbread, biscuit, or muffin batter for moisture and flavor.
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Saute greens like spinach or kale in it instead of olive oil.
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Add a bit to milkshake blenders for a savory kick.
With just a small amount of grease from turkey bacon, you can infuse tons of smoky, salty flavor into other dishes.
Choosing the Healthiest Turkey Bacon
When shopping for turkey bacon, read labels closely and look for:
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No added nitrates/nitrites
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Minimally processed from whole cuts of turkey
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No added water or phosphates
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Real wood smoked for flavor rather than liquid smoke
A high quality turkey bacon like Godshall’s contain no artificial chemicals and deliver plenty of protein and flavor without loads of fat and grease.
While turkey bacon makes significantly less grease than traditional pork bacon, it still produces some when cooked properly. You can maximize the small amount of grease it renders for flavor and texture. Or cook it in ways that avoid added grease altogether. Either way, you get all the rich taste without all the fat.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon on the Stove
Can turkey bacon be cooked on the stove in a pan like pork bacon? Yes, you can. Here are the easy steps to make crispy, tasty turkey bacon:
- Pre-heat skillet to medium high.
- Heat the slices and turn them over every minute to make sure they brown evenly.
- When the bacon is halfway done, turn to medium heat.
- Take off the heat and put on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any extra oil.
Sautéed turkey bacon shines in classic sandwich recipes like the BLT, and you can prepare it quickly. The delicious taste and crisp texture of our real wood-smoked bacon gives the Ultimate TBLT a nutritious punch.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Sautéing is quick, but if you don’t want to be in the kitchen, you might like baking turkey bacon instead. There are benefits to baking turkey bacon in the oven. One is that you can prep other parts of your meal while the bacon cooks. Another thing is batch size. A baking sheet can hold a lot of bacon, which is helpful when you’re cooking for a lot of people.
Follow these steps for crispy, oven-baked turkey bacon without added oil:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place aluminum foil or parchment paper on the bottom of a baking sheet and place a baking rack on top (if you have one). Line the rack or parchment paper with turkey bacon strips in a single layer. Make sure the strips don’t touch each other.
- Put it in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 12 minutes.
- Place the turkey bacon on a plate with paper towels on it to soak up any oil that the heat is drawing out. This will keep the bacon crispier until you serve it.
Quick tip:
You can make turkey bacon in the toaster oven if you only need a few slices. Follow the same steps as above.
Turkey bacon tastes great from the oven, but you don’t always have to bake it on its own. For something simple that feels luxurious, wrap a slice of bacon around your favorite fresh vegetable before baking. Or try sprinkling some pepper on top before baking in the oven to elevate your turkey bacon.
How to Make CRISPY Turkey Bacon | Cosmopolitan Cornbread
How to cook turkey bacon in oven?
Fold a sheet of aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Put the turkey bacon strips on the foil and place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Bake the turkey bacon till it’s brown and crispy. This will take about 8 to 10 minutes. The sides of the strips will dry and become crunchy, indicating that they are ready to be flipped.
Does turkey bacon absorb a lot of oil?
The meat doesn’t absorb much of the oil, and if you pat off any excess, you can ensure you aren’t adding too many unnecessary calories to your turkey bacon (method via Cooks Illustrated ). Enjoy! The perfect bacon is crispy on the outside, but still tender and chewy in the center.
Can you cook turkey bacon without oil?
Always drain your turkey bacon on a paper towel. Even if you didn’t add a lot of oil to cook it, the bacon itself also produces oil (melted fat). So, to help cut back on unhealthy fats, remove any excess amounts. You can also flavor your turkey bacon with ground spices and basting sauces (or syrups) when baking or air-frying them.
Does added oil make turkey bacon less healthy?
If you’re concerned about the added oil making a slightly-healthier version of bacon less healthy, you don’t have to worry. The meat doesn’t absorb much of the oil, and if you pat off any excess, you can ensure you aren’t adding too many unnecessary calories to your turkey bacon (method via Cooks Illustrated ).
How do you make turkey bacon crispy?
Instead, set a skillet over a medium heat, but make sure it isn’t a dry pan. The secret to crispy turkey bacon is frying it in about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. This might seem like a lot, but the oil will ensure that the bacon makes constant, even contact with the heat, which allows for optimal crispiness.
What does turkey bacon taste like?
While turkey bacon doesn’t have the same taste or texture as regular bacon, it has its own smoky, salty, meaty and even a little sweet flavor that many people simply can’t resist! Additionally, when you make turkey bacon in the oven it becomes as crispy as regular bacon. It tastes amazing in a BLT or a club sandwich! Does Turkey Bacon Get Crispy?