Learn how to cook turkey bacon in the oven with these helpful tips that show you how to make crispy, delicious bacon every time. This is the best and easiest method!
The recipe card below also includes instructions for cooking turkey bacon in a skillet and in the microwave
There are several methods that can be used to cook turkey bacon. However, baking it in the oven is the best and easiest method for several reasons.
Turkey bacon is really delicious in a breakfast sandwich, like this turkey bacon sandwich made with egg whites and Cheddar on an English muffin. You can also use turkey bacon in a favorite sandwich, BLTs, or a BLT chicken salad.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Turkey bacon has become an increasingly popular alternative to regular pork bacon. With 75% less fat and nearly double the protein, turkey bacon offers a healthier twist on a breakfast staple. But it can be so much more than just a substitute in your morning eggs and toast! From savory breakfast casseroles to gourmet pasta dishes, read on for 12 delicious recipe ideas to inspire creative new ways to enjoy turkey bacon.
Breakfast Recipes Spotlighting Turkey Bacon
Turkey bacon really shines when incorporated into morning favorites Its smoky, salty flavor pairs perfectly with egg dishes, breakfast potatoes and more
Turkey Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches
These satisfying hand-held sandwiches are a cinch to whip up. Simply fry an egg and turkey bacon, stack them on an English muffin with melty cheese and you’ve got a fast, protein-packed breakfast ready to grab and go. For extra nutrition, opt for a whole grain muffin and add spinach or roasted red peppers.
Baked Turkey Bacon and Cheddar Egg Cups
Make a batch of these easy egg cups on the weekend for hassle-free breakfasts all week long. Whisk eggs together with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped turkey bacon, then divide between a muffin tin and bake. Reheat for a quick protein-rich bite in the mornings.
Turkey Bacon Breakfast Casserole
This is the perfect breakfast to feed a crowd for holidays or weekends. Layer shredded potatoes, turkey bacon, eggs and cheese in a baking dish, then let it bake until heated through and slightly crispy on top. Kids and adults alike will love digging into this comforting casserole.
Turkey Bacon Avocado Toast
For a trendy yet satisfying twist on avocado toast, top your whole grain or sprouted grain toast with mashed avocado, sliced hard boiled eggs, crumbled turkey bacon and red pepper flakes. It takes just minutes to assemble but provides a major nutrition boost to start your day.
Savory Lunch and Dinner Dishes Featuring Turkey Bacon
Beyond breakfast, turkey bacon can add tasty smokiness and crunch to lunches, dinners and even appetizers. Here are some delicious ways to incorporate it into meals throughout the day.
Pasta with Turkey Bacon, Tomato and Spinach
Simmer diced turkey bacon and tomatoes together to make a chunky, savory sauce, then toss with hot pasta and fresh baby spinach. Shower with parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes for a fast weeknight dinner.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Turkey Bacon
Roast sweet potato wedges and brussels sprouts tossed in olive oil, then shower with crumbled turkey bacon, sage and minced garlic halfway through cooking. The turkey bacon adds a delicious hint of smokiness.
Turkey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts
For an easy yet elegant dinner, lightly brown boneless, skinless chicken breasts then wrap bacon around them and finish cooking in the oven. The bacon keeps the lean chicken moist while infusing it with smoky flavor.
Turkey Bacon and Kale Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine and kale gets tossed with crunchy turkey bacon bits, shaved parmesan and homemade caesar dressing for a fresh, healthier twist on a classic salad Turkey bacon packs more protein than deli ham
Turkey Bacon Mac and Cheese
For serious comfort food, add crispy chopped turkey bacon to mac and cheese. The smoky, salty flavor perfectly complements the creamy, cheesy pasta. For extra indulgence, top with panko breadcrumbs before baking.
BLT Salad with Turkey Bacon
Make the classic sandwich into a hearty main dish salad by chopping turkey bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and crunchy croutons and tossing them with a homemade buttermilk ranch dressing.
Tips for Cooking with Turkey Bacon
Follow these handy tips for bringing out the best flavor and texture when cooking with turkey bacon:
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Look for uncured turkey bacon without lots of preservatives or added sugars.
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Cook over medium heat to avoid burning since turkey bacon browns faster than pork.
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Bake turkey bacon on a wire rack placed over a foil-lined pan for even cooking.
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Chop or crumble turkey bacon before adding to recipes for the best distribution of flavor.
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Add turkey bacon at the end for a crispy texture or earlier in recipes for softer texture.
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Cook turkey bacon in batches for maximum crispness instead of steaming.
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Let turkey bacon cool slightly after cooking before crumbling or chopping since it keeps cooking off heat.
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Store cooked turkey bacon in the fridge up to a week or in the freezer for longer storage.
With its rich, smoky taste but fewer calories and fat compared to pork bacon, turkey bacon is an awesome ingredient to keep stocked in your kitchen. Let the creative recipe ideas here inspire you to start incorporating it into breakfasts, lunches, dinners and more for a tasty and healthier twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Once you learn how to cook turkey bacon in the oven, youll never cook it any other way!
Step 1: Pat the bacon dry
Step 2: Lay the bacon out on a sheet-pan. Setting it on a rack is optional, but it allows air to circulate around the strips so they cook evenly and are perfectly crispy without burning.
Step 3: Heat the oven to 400F. A typical cooking time for turkey bacon is between 15 to 18 minutes, but start checking the bacon after 12 minutes.
Step 4: Take the bacon out and serve!
Baking turkey bacon is an easy and fool-proof cooking method, if you follow these helpful tips.
- Cooking Time: 15 to 18 minutes is a good range. The exact timing will vary, and different brands will need slightly different cooking times, especially if the bacon is thicker. Also, if turkey bacon is cooked on a rack it will cook slower than if its cooked directly on a sheet-pan. I usually start checking turkey bacon after 12 minutes in the oven.
- Convection oven: Using the convection bake setting on your oven doesnt make much of a difference when baking turkey bacon. The turkey bacon might cook slightly faster but thats the only reason to use it.
- Turning turkey bacon: In all of the batches Ive baked, ive never noticed that turning the turkey bacon makes any difference. Its not worth the hassle.
- Using foil or parchment: Unlike regular pork bacon, hardly any fat renders from turkey bacon while it cooks. The sheet-pan stays pretty darn clean. The only reason to line the sheet-pan with foil or parchment is to make clean-up faster, but its hardly worth it.
- Using a rack: I like putting a cooking rack on the sheet-pan because the turkey bacon cooks more evenly. Hot air circulates around the strips, and the resulting texture will be crispy with just a little bit of chewiness. This is the best way to make turkey bacon crispy, without burning it. However, its not absolutely necessary to use a rack. The bacon will still get crispy if you cook it directly on the sheet-pan. Keep a closer eye on the baking time though, as the strips will cook faster and are more likely to burn when theyre setting directly on a hot sheet-pan.
Oven baked turkey bacon can be eaten and served exactly the same way as regular pork bacon.
- For breakfast, with eggs and toast or pancakes
- In a breakfast sandwich, like a turkey bacon sandwich
- In a club sandwich, BLT or any other type of sandwich
- Crumbled over salads or pasta
- Crumbled over Instant Pot mac n cheese
- Crumbled over soup or chowder – try it with easy stove-top tomato soup!
- Crumbled over baked potatoes
You can still cook turkey bacon in the oven, whether youre cooking an entire package or just a few slices. However, if you dont want to heat up the oven for a few slices you can use a skillet or the microwave.
If youre only cooking a few slices (about 5 or less) the microwave is a quick option. Be careful though, as its really easy to overcook turkey bacon in a microwave. Place the bacon in a single layer on a microwave safe plate and set a paper towel on top (the bacon will sizzle and splatter). The cooking time depends on how many slices youre cooking and how thick the slices are. If youre cooking only 1 slice of thin bacon, it will be very crispy in just one minute. No matter how many slices youre cooking, start with 1 minute, then check the bacon and add on more time as necessary. It shouldnt take more than 2 or 3 minutes total.
A cast iron skillet usually works best. Start the bacon in a single layer in a cold skillet. A cold skillet insures that the bacon heats up slowly and evenly and slowly renders out fat, which will make the bacon crispier. Turn the heat to medium and cook the bacon for a total of about 6 minutes, turning the slices several times, until they are as crispy as you want.
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” its always safest to heat turkey bacon before eating it.
Once a package has been opened, the uncooked bacon should be used within 5 to 7 days. You can refrigerate cooked turkey bacon for up to 1 week. You can also freeze cooked bacon, for up to 3 months.
The easiest way to reheat cooked bacon is in the microwave. Start at 10 seconds, then microwave longer if necessary. One caveat: the texture will be chewy after reheating in the microwave. Pantryandlarder.com has a good guide for reheating bacon using several different methods.
If you try this Turkey Bacon recipe please leave a star rating and let me know how the recipe turned out in the comments section below. I love hearing from readers!
Best Way To Cook Turkey Bacon
FAQ
Is turkey bacon actually healthy?
Given it’s low in fat and high in protein, turkey bacon is also a great choice for many diets, including gluten-free, keto-friendly, and dairy-free.
How to make turkey bacon good?
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.
What part of the pig is turkey bacon?
Turkey bacon isn’t actual a cut of belly of the turkey like pork bacon is. Turkey bacon is simulated bacon strips made from scraps of dark and white turkey meat that is chopped or ground into a mixture that has seasonings added to it. The final mixture is then compressed into bacon-like strips of meat.
How long does turkey bacon last in the fridge?
Unopened turkey bacon in a sealed package can safely be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or seven days past the expiration date, whichever comes first. Once the package is opened, it can be stored in the fridge, tightly wrapped, for up to one week.