There’s no replacing the savory, salty crunch of bacon. Equally at home in breakfast, lunch, and dinner foods, there are ways to add this meat to just about every dish.
With that in mind, you may keep your freezer stocked with at least one package of bacon. While having frozen bacon on hand is a good plan, it also eventually begs the question of how to cook frozen bacon.
We’re going to cover whether or not you need to thaw frozen bacon before cooking it, as well as a few popular methods you can use to cook frozen bacon. Table of Contents
As a busy mom, I rely on turkey bacon as a quick and easy protein source to feed my family. But I don’t always remember to thaw it ahead of time! I used to end up with sad, chewy bacon until I figured out how to cook frozen turkey bacon to crispy perfection.
The good news is you absolutely can cook turkey bacon directly from the frozen state. While it takes a bit longer than thawed bacon, the right techniques yield delicious results every time.
Below I’ll explain the best cooking methods, share proper cook times, and give tips to ensure your frozen turkey bacon turns out crunchy and flavorful Grab a pack from the freezer and let’s get sizzling!
Why Cook Turkey Bacon From Frozen?
I know frozen meat doesn’t sound very appealing but going straight from frozen to cooked offers some nice advantages
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No thawing time required – I can go from freezer to pan in just minutes.
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Longer shelf life when frozen – Keeps significantly longer than refrigerated
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More time to multitask – I can prep other parts of a meal while it cooks.
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Fewer dishes – No messy thawed bacon juices to clean up.
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Crispier results – The frozen state helps the bacon get super crunchy.
With the right techniques, frozen turkey bacon actually performs really well. It’s my secret weapon for quick protein breakfasts!
Tips for Cooking Frozen Turkey Bacon
Cooking any frozen food presents some unique challenges. Here are my tricks for crispy, evenly cooked turkey bacon every time:
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Use a single layer – Overcrowding causes uneven cooking.
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Medium heat is ideal – High heat increases burning risk.
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Cook a bit longer – Add 2-3 minutes to thawed cook times.
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Flip halfway through – Ensures both sides get crispy.
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Blot with paper towels – Removes excess grease for crispier texture.
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Let rest before eating – Allows carryover cooking to finish.
Follow these tips and even freezer-cold turkey bacon will turn out delicious!
Oven Baking Frozen Turkey Bacon
My favorite hands-off method is baking frozen turkey bacon in the oven. Here’s how:
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Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
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Arrange frozen bacon strips in a single layer, not overlapping.
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Bake for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
The nice thing about oven-baking is you can walk away while it cooks. Just be sure to flip it halfway for even crisping on both sides.
Pan Frying Frozen Turkey Bacon
For a quicker breakfast side, pan-frying on the stovetop is great for cooking frozen turkey bacon:
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Heat a skillet over medium heat. No oil needed.
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Add frozen bacon strips in a single layer.
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Cook about 5 minutes per side, flipping occasionally.
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Remove crispy bacon to paper towels when done.
I prefer tongs for easy flipping, but a spatula works too. Cook times vary based on your stove, so watch closely.
How Long to Cook Frozen Turkey Bacon
Frozen turkey bacon needs a little extra time compared to thawed. Here are general guidelines:
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Oven at 400°F: 18-20 minutes
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Skillet at medium heat: 6-8 minutes per side
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Air fryer at 400°F: 12-14 minutes
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Microwave: 2-4 minutes total
No matter which cooking method you use, keep a close eye on it as it cooks since every appliance varies. Cook just until crispy.
Serving Up Success
As you can see, cooking turkey bacon straight from the frozen state is totally doable with the right techniques. Now you can stop stressing over forgotten packs in the freezer.
Instead, embrace the convenience of cooking frozen turkey bacon for fast protein-packed breakfasts, brunches, snacks, and more. I love crumbling it over salads or slipping it into club sandwiches.
Next time you need a crispy, salty flavor boost, go for the frozen turkey bacon. You’ve got this! Just follow my tips for crunchy, delicious results every time. Now who’s ready for a tasty turkey bacon breakfast?
How to Thaw Frozen Bacon
While you don’t need to thaw frozen bacon before cooking, it can make the strips easier to handle and speed up the cooking process. It’s also essential if you want to wrap bacon strips around other ingredients to make Oven Roasted Bacon Wrapped Asparagus or Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potatoes.
If you’re not in a rush, you can thaw bacon in the refrigerator. Simply place a sealed package of frozen bacon into the fridge and allow it to thaw over the course of the day. This method works great if you’re planning to cook a bacon-filled dish the next day.
However, if you decide you want to use your frozen bacon a few hours before eating, you’ll need to utilize quicker defrosting methods.
One method is to place the sealed package of bacon in a bowl filled with cold water. The water will speed the thawing process so that a pound of bacon will be ready to cook in about half an hour.
Another quick thawing method is using the defrost setting on your microwave. Before you begin thawing, remove the frozen bacon from the plastic packaging and set it on a plate. It should take around five minutes to thaw one pound of bacon, but since microwaves vary in power it’s best to check your bacon every minute.
After your bacon is thawed, you can cook it however you like, whether that’s on the stove, in the air fryer, or in the oven.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon
While larger cuts of meat like pork butts and chicken breasts need to be thawed before cooking, bacon can go right from the freezer to the heat. However, you will need to separate the individual strips of bacon before cooking.
If your strips are stuck together, try prying them apart with your hands or a fork. If this proves difficult, you can run the bacon under cold water for a few minutes to thaw it slightly.
Once you have individual strips of frozen bacon, you can cook them any way you would cook thawed bacon. The only difference is that the strips will take a few minutes longer to cook.
The BEST way to freeze turkey bacon! & watch me cook it from a frozen state!
FAQ
Do I need to thaw turkey bacon before cooking?
You can cook bacon directly from frozen. There’s no need to thaw it, which saves time.
Is it okay to cook frozen turkey bacon?
To cook from frozen: Cook sliced turkey bacon directly from frozen. Simply follow the instructions in the recipe, but add 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
Is bacon safe to cook from frozen?
Bacon can be cooked from frozen. Fry the bacon on a low heat. until the rashers begin to separate. Gradually increase the heat. and fry the separated pieces of bacon. until cooked through. It’s also safe to cook other types of frozen pork. in the oven, on the stove. or under the grill. without defrosting at first.
Can I bake bacon from frozen?
- Separate the strips: Before cooking, make sure to pry apart any frozen bacon strips that are stuck together.
- Cooking time: Frozen bacon might take a few minutes longer to cook than thawed bacon.
- Baking method: Arrange the bacon on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake at a high temperature until desired crispiness.
Can you freeze turkey bacon?
Although freezing your turkey bacon will not change the taste, texture, or original product, it can lose some of its flavor and color. It’s best to consume your turkey bacon within 4 to 6 months of freezing. This will require you to take out the turkey bacon from the freezer and cook it up right away when needed so you can enjoy eating it.
Can you cook bacon straight from the freezer?
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can cook bacon straight from the freezer. While most meats require thawing before cooking bacon is small and thin enough that it can be cooked frozen. The high fat content in bacon also helps it cook up from frozen more easily. Cooking frozen bacon does require some modifications from cooking thawed bacon.
Can You reheat frozen turkey bacon?
You can thaw and reheat frozen turkey bacon in the microwave. Just remove from the freezer and then place the turkey bacon on a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and heat up for 5 to 10 seconds at a time until thawed. How to Use Thawed Turkey Bacon? Once your turkey bacon is thawed, you can use it in multiple ways.
How long does frozen turkey bacon take to thaw?
It takes about 24 hours for frozen raw turkey bacon to completely thaw when left at room temperature. If you need to hurry up the process, you can place the uncooked bacon in a bowl of cold water and change out the water every half hour or so until it has completely thawed.
How long does turkey bacon last in the freezer?
Turkey bacon lasts in the freezer for approximately two to three months. To keep it fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, cling wrap, or aluminum foil, and then store it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. This helps prevent moisture and freezer burn. (You Won’t Believe It)
Can You air Fry frozen Bacon?
Instructions: Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Place a few frozen bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 4-5 minutes until thawed. Flip bacon and air fry 2-3 more minutes until crisp. Repeat with remaining bacon, cooking it in batches. Drain on paper towels before serving.