The sound of bacon cooking on the stove and the wonderful smell of it are just as good of alarm clocks, if not better. Many people feel the same way about turkey bacon. Even the biggest bacon fans will lick their lips with hunger when they see a crispy slice of turkey bacon. Mel Magazine says this hybrid product is a new creation in the world of meat. It was made in the early 1970s to get more meat eaters interested in bacon. However, many people have been drawn to the turkey because it has less fat and calories because it has white meat added to it.
But this doesn’t mean turkey bacon is better for you than regular bacon, since Healthline says it usually has more sodium. Putting health aside, though, turkey bacon has gained a lot of fans since it was first made. As a result, many deli and meat brands have started selling their own versions of turkey bacon. You can put turkey bacon on a sandwich or eat it with a hearty breakfast. Here are ten popular brands of turkey bacon, ranked from worst to best with our rating system.
For those searching for a tasty and better-for-you alternative to pork bacon, turkey bacon is an excellent option. With less fat and calories compared to regular bacon, turkey bacon can deliver satisfying flavor and texture while being more nutritious. But not all turkey bacon brands are created equal. The quality, taste and nutrition can vary widely between products.
So how do you discern which turkey bacon brands truly deliver high-quality meat with authentic smoked bacon flavor? I compared and tasted 9 popular turkey bacon varieties to determine which one deserves the title of best overall brand. Read on to discover my thorough turkey bacon brand rankings along with insights into cooking methods, nutrition, ingredients and more to help you find your new favorite.
Overview of Turkey Bacon Brands Reviewed
I selected widely available national brands of turkey bacon that could be easily purchased at most major grocery chains or retailers like Walmart and Target. Here is a quick list of the 9 brands evaluated:
- Butterball Original Turkey Bacon
- Butterball Lower Sodium Turkey Bacon
- Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon
- Good & Gather Applewood Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon
- Godshall’s Maple Turkey Bacon
- John F. Martin & Sons Turkey Bacon
- Sam’s Choice Uncured Turkey Bacon
- Wellshire Farms Organic Classic Turkey Bacon
- Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Bacon
Key Factors Considered in Rankings
To fairly assess each turkey bacon brand. I carefully evaluated the following characteristics
- Nutrition profile – sodium, fat, calories, additives
- Ingredients – quality, allergens, preservatives
- Preparation – cooking instructions, handling
- Appearance – raw and cooked product
- Texture – chewiness, crispness, consistency
- Aroma – smoky, meaty, or unappealing
- Flavor – taste dimensions, smokiness, saltiness
- Versatility – suitability for different dishes
- Price – value for quality and taste
After cooking and tasting each variety, I ranked the brands from worst to best based on their combined performance across these important factors.
Detailed Brand Reviews and Rankings
Here is an in-depth look at each turkey bacon brand evaluated along with their ranking from worst to best
9. Butterball Original – Excess liquid in packaging, thin delicate slices, bland flavor.
8. Butterball Lower Sodium – Less sodium but very mild flavor and dry, chewy texture.
7. Oscar Mayer – Processed appearance, acceptable crunch when cooled but bland taste.
6. Good & Gather Applewood Smoked – Nice thick slice and pleasant texture but very mild smoky flavor.
5. Godshall’s Maple – Unique sweet maple flavor but appearance resembles deli meat more than bacon.
4. John F. Martin & Sons – Closely resembles pork bacon in taste and texture but contains additives.
3. Sam’s Choice Uncured – Minimal ingredients, resembles bacon, tasty smoked flavor for excellent value.
2. Wellshire Farms Organic – Rich bacon taste with nice chew, but high price.
1. Applegate Naturals Uncured – Intense turkey flavor, meaty texture, and clean ingredients make it the winning brand.
Brand Spotlights – My Top 3 Picks
Here is more detail on my top 3 favorite turkey bacon brands:
#1 Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Bacon – This high-quality brand took the top spot. Wide, meaty slices with rich turkey flavor that resembled deli meat made it highly versatile for any recipe. With no antibiotics, nitrates or preservatives and Whole30 approved, it’s an excellent clean-ingredient choice.
#2 Wellshire Farms Organic Turkey Bacon – For those willing to pay a premium for organic certification, this bacon delivered excellent taste and texture closely resembling pork. Humanely raised turkeys plus sustainable practices make this a feel-good choice.
#3 Sam’s Choice Uncured Turkey Bacon – This affordable private label option surprised with delicious smoked turkey flavor and minimal processing. Made from turkey thigh meat, it looks and tastes like real bacon for an incredible value.
What to Look for When Buying Turkey Bacon
Based on this extensive taste testing experience, here are some recommended criteria to evaluate when purchasing turkey bacon:
- Seek out uncured options without nitrates/nitrites and look for recognizable ingredients
- Check sodium level – 140mg or less per slice is ideal
- Confirm no MSG, hidden in ingredients like autolyzed yeast
- Look for extra lean options with 2.5g of fat or less per slice
- Seek out turkey thigh or turkey breast as the first ingredient for premium quality
- Opt for turkey bacon without added sugar if possible
- Consider certified organic or antibiotic-free for more responsibly raised poultry
- Select brands that use natural smoke flavoring rather than liquid smoke
Checking for these qualities can help identify healthier, higher quality turkey bacon with authentic flavor.
Cooking and Serving Tips for Turkey Bacon
While pork bacon just needs a quick sizzle in the pan, turkey bacon requires a bit more finesse when cooking. Here are some tips:
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Follow package instructions carefully, as cook times vary between brands. Most range 8-14 minutes.
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Use medium heat to prevent burning and allow fat to render slowly. Avoid crispy black bits.
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Flip occasionally for even cooking. Pieces can stick together if not watched.
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Bake turkey bacon in the oven on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
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Add turkey bacon crumbles to salads, soups or pastas for a smoky, salty flavor punch.
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Chop finely and mix into dips, stuffings, casseroles or compound butters.
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Cool completely before eating for best texture. Turkey bacon tastes best slightly pliable rather than crispy.
With proper cooking methods, turkey bacon can deliver tasty satisfaction to even devout pork bacon fans. Experiment with different brands and recipes to find your new favorites!
FAQs About Turkey Bacon
For those new to cooking with turkey bacon, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Is turkey bacon healthy? – It contains less fat and calories than pork bacon. But it is still a processed meat high in sodium. Enjoy in moderation.
How does it compare to pork bacon? – Most turkey bacon is leaner and needs more care when cooking. The flavor is milder and saltier than pork.
What’s the best way to cook it? – Slow cooking in a skillet or baking in the oven are best to prevent burning. Follow package instructions.
Why does it stick together? – Turkey bacon contains less fat than pork. Avoid overcrowding pieces in the pan and use medium heat.
Which is better – smoked or unsmoked? – For the true bacon experience, seek out naturally hardwood smoked turkey bacon for the most authentic flavor.
Can you freeze turkey bacon? – Yes, freeze fully cooked turkey bacon up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Is turkey bacon gluten-free? – Most contain no gluten ingredients. Always check labels if gluten is a concern.
The Bottom Line
While no turkey bacon perfectly mimics the taste and texture of pork bacon, many brands can satisfy that craving for a savory, smoky breakfast meat. For sensational flavor and nutrition, Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Bacon is my top choice. However, the Sam’s Choice Uncured variety is an amazing budget-friendly option. Take time to experiment with different brands and cooking methods to find your new favorite morning protein!
Godshall’s Sliced Turkey Bacon
The next turkey bacon entry on this list is Godshalls Uncured Sliced Turkey Bacon. Godshalls is a meat producer that prides itself on offering the public real smoked meats. Since 1945, when the company was established by Marvin K. Godshall, this family-run butcher shop has sold its turkey bacon in stores such as Safeway and Harris Teeter. As of today, the company has almost six hundred employee-owners that produce bacon and other delicious meats. Their turkey bacon is made from chopped and shaped turkey thighs and has no added fat. Each package has about 12 slices.
This turkey bacon was pretty average in comparison to the other options. It is easy to find in some places, but if you don’t live near a grocery store that sells this kind of turkey bacon, you can only get it on Amazon, where you can buy six packs in bulk for almost $60. One of the most expensive prices on this list is $10 for a pack of turkey bacon. This is true even for brands like Oscar Mayer and Applegate, which are much more common in stores. For the price and the hassle of this turkey bacon, its not worth it.
Wellshire Farms, Classic Sliced Turkey Bacon
The next brand on this list is Wellshire Farms, which makes turkey bacon. This is not to be confused with the Hillshire brand, which does make sandwich and deli meats. Wellshire Farms has a long list of bacon products, and even sells chicken-based bacon. On the brands website, you can find their classic organic turkey bacon, as well as a sugar-free option. They say that the turkeys used in their “Classic Sliced Turkey Bacon” are raised in a clean environment using animal-friendly methods and not given antibiotics. The bacon only has eight simple ingredients.
We thought this was Hillshire at first, but Hillshires sliced turkey is much better than Wellshires turkey bacon any day of the week. The meat was incredibly thick, so it didnt cook as easily as other turkey bacon products. Its texture was reminiscent of a jerky, and more chewy than crispy. Also, this turkey bacon doesn’t keep well. Some Amazon reviewers said they opened the package “and cooked three slices out. The next day, all of the bacon was this greenish brown color,” and they had to throw out the rest of it. The meat turned a nice brown color when it was done, but we’re not going to use this turkey bacon again.