If you’re exploring the world of healthy eating, you might be on the hunt for new and delicious foods to try that are all-natural, nutrient dense, or lower in fat. Whole-cut turkey bacon is a nutritious leaner protein option, and when it’s real-wood smoked, it tastes incredibly similar to pork bacon. But does it cook the same? You can use a variety of simple and familiar cooking methods to cook turkey bacon, and there’s no trick to it. Here are some instructions for getting your bacon just right.
Turkey bacon has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional pork bacon. With its lower fat content and fewer calories, many find it to be a healthier choice. But one question that often comes up is – do you have to cook turkey bacon before eating it?
Overview of Turkey Bacon
Turkey bacon is made from ground or chopped turkey that has been cured. The curing process involves injecting a brine solution containing water, salt, sugars, and sodium nitrite. This helps preserve the meat and gives it flavor. After curing, turkey bacon is smoked to add smoky notes and further cook the meat.
The end result is a product that looks and tastes similar to traditional pork bacon, but is made from turkey. Popular brands like Oscar Mayer, Hormel, and Jennie-O all offer turkey bacon options.
Is Turkey Bacon Safe to Eat Raw?
While turkey bacon goes through a curing and smoking process, it is still not fully cooked when you purchase it The USDA recommends cooking turkey bacon to 165°F, the safe minimum internal temperature for poultry products.
Eating undercooked or raw turkey bacon can potentially expose you to harmful bacteria like salmonella. For this reason, it is not recommended to eat turkey bacon without cooking it first.
Proper Cooking Methods for Turkey Bacon
Cooking turkey bacon thoroughly before eating eliminates any risks from raw poultry. Here are some easy methods for preparing tasty turkey bacon at home:
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In a Skillet: The most traditional way is to cook turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Place the slices in a single layer and flip occasionally with tongs or a spatula until browned and crispy. This takes about 5-10 minutes.
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In the Oven Baking turkey bacon in the oven results in crispy evenly cooked strips. Place bacon slices on a foil-lined baking sheet and cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Flipping halfway through ensures the bacon crisps on both sides.
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In the Microwave: For a quick option, turkey bacon can be cooked in the microwave. Place slices between paper towels and microwave on high in 30 second intervals until desired crispness is reached, flipping occasionally. This takes 2-4 minutes.
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In an Air Fryer Air frying allows you to cook turkey bacon with no oil At 370°F it takes about 8-10 minutes to achieve crispy turkey bacon with an air fryer
No matter which method you use, always make sure turkey bacon reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness if needed. The bacon should be sizzling, browned, and crispy when fully cooked.
Proper Storage and Handling
To maintain safety and quality, proper storage of turkey bacon is important. Here are some tips:
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Store unopened turkey bacon in the fridge and use within 1 week of the sell-by date.
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Once opened, reseal the package and use within 3-5 days.
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Keep cooked turkey bacon in an airtight container and use within 4-5 days.
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For longer storage, freeze turkey bacon for up to 1-2 months.
Always keep turkey bacon refrigerated as you would with regular bacon. The cold environment helps prevent spoilage and bacterial growth.
Creative Uses for Cooked Turkey Bacon
When cooked properly, turkey bacon makes a tasty addition to all kinds of dishes. Here are some fun ways to enjoy it:
- Chopped in omelets, frittatas or breakfast scrambles
- Crumbled on top of salads or soups
- Added to sandwiches, burgers or wraps
- Paired with roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes
- Rolled up with cream cheese or goat cheese
- Baked into casseroles or egg bakes
- Used in BLT sandwiches
- Served alongside pancakes or waffles
Turkey bacon offers the signature smoky, salty flavor of bacon with fewer calories and fat. So yes, you do need to cook it before eating to eliminate any food safety risks. But once cooked, it can be used to creatively enhance a variety of savory dishes and meals. Follow the proper cooking and storage methods to safely enjoy all the tasty benefits of turkey bacon.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon on the Stove
Can you cook turkey bacon in a pan on the stove like pork bacon? Yes, sautéing turkey bacon with oil gives you crispy, flavorful results in a few short steps:
- Pre-heat skillet to medium high.
- Heat slices while turning them every minute to ensure uniform browning.
- When the bacon is halfway done, turn to medium heat.
- Remove from heat to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess cooking 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’re hands-off in the kitchen, you might prefer baking turkey bacon in the oven. 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 is batch size: a lot of bacon can fit on a baking sheet, which is useful when you’re cooking for a crowd.
Follow these steps for crispy, oven-baked turkey bacon without added oil:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set a baking rack on top (if you have one). Arrange your turkey bacon in a single layer on the rack or parchment, making sure the strips don’t overlap.
- Bake for 12 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any oil drawn out by heat, keeping the turkey bacon more crisp until you serve.
Quick tip:
Not cooking for a crowd? If you only want a few slices, you can make turkey bacon in the toaster oven. 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.
Best Way To Cook Turkey Bacon
FAQ
Can you eat turkey bacon without cooking it?
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” it’s always safest to heat turkey bacon before eating it.
Is turkey bacon already fully cooked?
- Jennie-O Fully Cooked Crispy Turkey Bacon: This bacon is pre-crisped and can be eaten hot or cold. It’s good for sandwiches, burgers, and more.
- JENNIE-O Hardwood Hickory Smoked Turkey Bacon Fully Cooked: This bacon is hickory smoked and fully cooked.
- Godshall’s Fully Cooked Uncured Turkey Bacon: This bacon is smoked and gluten free.
- Butterball Fully Cooked Original Turkey Bacon: This bacon is fully cooked.
- H-E-B Fully Cooked Hardwood Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon Slices: This bacon is fully cooked and hardwood smoked.
Does turkey bacon have to be well done?
Cook turkey bacon as specified on the package. Always cook to well-done, 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer. Learn how to safely handle turkey.
Do you cook turkey bacon the same as regular bacon?
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Less fat:Turkey bacon contains much less fat than pork bacon, meaning it won’t render as much fat while cooking, potentially leading to a dry or tough texture if not handled properly.
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Add fat:To achieve crispiness, many recommend adding a small amount of cooking oil to the pan when cooking turkey bacon.
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Stovetop preferred:While you can cook turkey bacon in the oven, most chefs suggest cooking it on the stovetop in a skillet with a little added fat for optimal results.
How long does turkey bacon take to cook?
This should take around 8 to 10 minutes. Remember, turkey bacon is fully cooked, so the mission is to find that ideal flavor and texture. If you’re crisping it up in the oven or air frying, give it a light coating with your favorite oil spray to ensure it turns out juicy and flavorful every time.
How to cook turkey bacon in oven?
Turkey bacon is a healthy option that turns out perfectly crispy every time when cooked in the oven and the clean-up is so easy. It is by far the best way to cook turkey bacon. Next, you will spray your baking sheets with cooking spray. Finally, evenly space out the turkey bacon on the sheet pans.
Can you cook turkey bacon the same way as pork bacon?
Because turkey bacon doesn’t contain as much fat as pork bacon, you can’t cook it the same way. We tried cooking the strips of turkey bacon on an aluminum foil–lined baking sheet in a 400-degree oven, a method we often use when cooking pork bacon, but the results were not good.