I know this can be a controversial statement, but I like turkey bacon. I get the point that it’s not the same as “regular” pork bacon, and it isn’t. But I don’t think you’ll notice a big difference in the taste or crunchiness of your BLT wrap.
You shouldn’t have a hard time getting used to cooking turkey bacon, so you might not mind trying it out in your own kitchen. Turkey bacon is a great alternative for people who want to eat less fat or who don’t eat regular bacon or pork for religious or personal reasons.
When I say less fat, I certainly mean it. Turkey bacon has up to 25% less fat and calories than regular bacon. It also has almost twice as much protein. This means it is not only better for your health, but also more filling.
We’re not saying you should never have traditional bacon, and it may come down to personal preference. But it’s important to know the differences between the two, like how uncured turkey bacon has less fat. This is especially true if you want an easy way to make crunchy bacon for the first time and don’t want pork for any reason or need a healthier option.
There are different brands of turkey bacon, so if you’re interested in nutritional information, read the package carefully. Cooking time won’t be impacted by the brand of turkey bacon you pick.
As is the case with any processed food, turkey bacon does contain some undesirable ingredients. In this case, you’re looking at a lot of preservatives, sodium, and saturated fat.
There are no known health problems that come from eating turkey bacon in moderation, though. It is part of a healthy diet. Seeking a no-sugar-added or uncured bacon makes it an even more health-conscious choice.
Turkey bacon has a smoky, salty flavor that makes you think of bacon, even though it doesn’t taste or feel exactly like pork bacon.
Maybe you’ve never had turkey bacon before or want to know how to make it taste or feel even better than before. We’re here to help you figure out the best way to cook turkey bacon!.
Turkey bacon has become a popular lower-fat alternative to regular pork bacon. But cooking turkey bacon can be tricky since it doesn’t grease up the pan like pork bacon. Without that pool of fat to fry in, it’s hard to tell when turkey bacon is fully cooked and crisped.
Luckily, there are visual cues that signal when your turkey bacon is perfectly done. Knowing what to look for takes the guesswork out of cooking crispy turkey bacon every time.
What Does Properly Cooked Turkey Bacon Look Like?
Ideal turkey bacon should be:
- Golden brown in color, not pale or pink
- Crispy texture without soft or rubbery spots
- Flat, not curly or tightly curled
- Dry, not shiny with oil or liquid
When turkey bacon is properly cooked you’ll see an even golden-brown color on both sides. Undercooked turkey bacon will look too pale or still have some pinkish areas.
The turkey bacon should also snap and crunch when you bite into it, withoutchewy parts. Flat bacon strips mean the turkey fat has rendered out during cooking. If the bacon ruffles up a lot or tightens into curls, it needs more time.
Don’t Rely on Smell With Turkey Bacon
With pork bacon, an irresistible aroma fills the kitchen when it’s ready. But because turkey bacon is so lean, it doesn’t produce that classic bacon smell.
You might get a light meaty or toasted aroma but don’t wait for strong fragrance before taking turkey bacon off the heat. Use the visual tests instead to know when it’s done.
Check for Crispiness When Microwaving
It’s harder to see visual cues when microwaving turkey bacon between paper towels. In this case, crispiness is the best indicator of doneness.
Listen for crackling sounds and check for darkened and curled edges. Peek at the underside and test the texture. If any spots still look moist or feel soft, continue microwaving in 30 second increments until fully crisped.
Cook Times for Turkey Bacon
While visual cues are most reliable, estimated cooking times can provide a general guideline:
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Skillet or pan frying: Approximately 5-6 minutes per batch
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Oven baking: 10-15 minutes total
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Microwaving: Varies greatly, around 2-5 minutes on high
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Air frying: Around 5-7 minutes at 350°F
These turkey bacon cook times are based on average thick-cut slices. Thinner slices will cook faster. Always rely on the visual tests over cook times to know when turkey bacon is finished.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Undercooked Turkey Bacon
It’s easy to accidentally undercook turkey bacon if you:
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Don’t preheat the pan – Starting cold prevents crisping.
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Cook too many slices at once – Overcrowding steams instead of fries.
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Use too high heat – High heat dehydrates rather than crisping.
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Don’t blot grease – Bacon stewing in liquid won’t crisp fully.
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Don’t flip frequently – Irregular flipping gives uneven cooking.
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Remove too early – Turkey bacon keeps browning after taken off the heat.
Avoiding these mistakes helps ensure your turkey bacon cooks to an ideal crispy finish.
Tips for Extra Crispy Turkey Bacon Every Time
Getting turkey bacon crispy takes a little more effort than regular bacon. For the crispiest results:
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Choose thicker sliced turkey bacon, which crisps up better than thin.
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Cook over medium or medium low heat – higher heats dehydrate the lean turkey.
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Lay slices in a single layer without overlapping to prevent steaming.
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Flip frequently while cooking to promote even browning.
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Blot away excess moisture with a paper towel as needed while cooking.
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Add a drizzle of oil to boost browning if needed.
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Drain on paper towels after cooking to remove grease.
With the right techniques, you can enjoy turkey bacon with a satisfying crunch!
Serving Ideas for Perfectly Cooked Turkey Bacon
Once you’ve mastered cooking crispy turkey bacon, you can enjoy it in many delicious ways:
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Chop into salads for a smoky, salty crunch.
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Layer on pizza and top with veggies for a BLT pizza.
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Crumble over loaded baked potatoes.
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Make turkey BLTs with all the classic fixings.
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Wrap around scallops or shrimp before broiling or grilling.
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Toss crumbled turkey bacon into pasta dishes.
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Mix into quiche, frittata, or egg casserole batter.
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Sprinkle over the top of soups for flavor and texture.
With its savory crunch and versatile flavor, crispy turkey bacon elevates anything from breakfast plates to dinner entrees. Just look for those telltale signs of doneness so your turkey bacon turns out perfectly browned and crisp each time.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon on the Stove
You can cook turkey bacon in a pan just as you would pork bacon.
Perhaps the most popular way to cook turkey bacon is on the stove. This is because the bacon comes out more flavorful, but it needs a little more attention than the oven-baked or air fryer method above. The trick is to add oil for that crispy bacon texture you’re looking for.
- Warm up a skillet over medium-high heat and add a little of the oil of your choice.
- Heat the slices and turn them over every minute to make sure they brown evenly.
- When the bacon looks like it’s about halfway done, lower the heat to medium and keep cooking.
- Take the food off the heat slowly and place it on a plate lined with paper towels or on top of a paper plate to soak up any extra oil.
Our Bacon Cheddar Mini Quesadillas are a quick and easy way to make a snack, appetizer, or kid-friendly dinner. The bacon should be cooked in a pan first.
I also like our Asparagus Tart with Bacon with pan-cooked bacon on top because it looks extra crispy. Also, I like turkey bacon.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Some people like to bake turkey bacon in the oven because they can make other things while it’s cooking. Also, you can make more bacon at once, which is great for families, guests, or making meals ahead of time.
In fact, it might be the easiest way to cook bacon in general, and it’s easier to clean up than cooking bacon on the stove.
Turkey bacon that is prepared in the oven using these directions does not need oil added:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Put a baking rack on top of a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or tin foil.
- Place the turkey bacon in a single layer on the rack or parchment paper, and even out any edges that touch.
- Bake for 12 minutes on the middle rack.
- Move the bacon to a plate with paper towels or a paper plate on top of it to soak up any oil that comes off of it.
Quick tip: You can follow these directions for baking turkey bacon in the toaster oven as well!
