As you learn more about healthy eating, you may be looking for new, tasty foods that are natural, high in nutrients, or low in fat. Whole-cut turkey bacon is a healthy, leaner source of protein, and when it’s smoked over real wood, it tastes a lot like pork bacon. How does it cook, though? There’s no secret to cooking turkey bacon; just use simple, tried-and-true methods. Here are some instructions for getting your bacon just right.
Turkey bacon has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional pork bacon. With its leaner nutritional profile and versatility in recipes many health-conscious consumers have made the switch. However, one question remains – does turkey bacon produce its own grease when cooked like pork bacon does? In this article we’ll explore the differences between cooking turkey bacon and pork bacon and provide tips for achieving delicious, crispy turkey bacon without the grease.
The Grease Difference Between Pork and Turkey Bacon
The biggest distinction between pork bacon and turkey bacon is the amount of fat rendered during the cooking process. Pork bacon is high in fat, with about 50% of its calories coming from fat. As the pork bacon cooks, this fat melts and crisps the bacon, while also creating those delicious bacon grease drippings. In fact, four average-sized slices of pork bacon will yield about one tablespoon of bacon grease drippings.
Turkey bacon, on the other hand, is much leaner than pork bacon. Turkey bacon is generally 90% lean meat and lacks the high fat content of pork. As a result, turkey bacon produces very little grease when cooked. In many cases, turkey bacon will produce no grease drippings at all, even when cooked the same way as pork bacon.
Pork bacon does make its own grease, but after cooking turkey bacon, you won’t have to worry about pouring off cups of grease. It simply doesn’t contain enough fat to create significant grease.
Why Some Grease is Good for Cooking Turkey Bacon
While turkey bacon doesn’t create grease on its own, having a small amount of added fat in the pan can help it cook up crispy and delicious. Picking a turkey bacon that has a touch of fat marbled throughout the meat can provide just enough grease to crisp up the turkey bacon nicely.
Adding just a teaspoon or two of oil to the pan before cooking can also help. As the turkey bacon cooks this small amount of oil will help evenly distribute heat to the turkey bacon slices and ensure even browning and crisping.
Even though you won’t have to pour off the grease after cooking turkey bacon, it cooks better with a little extra fat in the pan. For 4 to 6 slices of turkey bacon, you only need 2 teaspoons of oil.
Healthiest Ways to Cook Turkey Bacon
Turkey bacon can be cooked with or without extra fat. Adding oil can help it get crispy. Here are some of the best low-fat cooking methods for turkey bacon:
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Bake in the oven: Place turkey bacon slices on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until browned and crispy. Flipping halfway through prevents curling.
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Grill: Place turkey bacon directly on a hot grill for 2-3 minutes per side. The slanted grates allow grease to drip away.
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Microwave: Layer turkey bacon between paper towels and microwave in 30 second intervals until cooked through.
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Air Fry: Air frying requires no oil. Cook at 360°F for 5 minutes per side until crisped.
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Pan Fry with Water: Add 1-2 Tbsp water to a hot pan. Fry turkey bacon 2-3 minutes per side until browned. The water creates steam for crisping.
While a small amount of oil can improve texture, these no-grease methods allow you to enjoy all the flavor of turkey bacon without the extra calories and fat.
Cooking Tips for Perfectly Crispy Turkey Bacon Every Time
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Choose quality turkey bacon for the best texture. Look for turkey bacon made from whole turkey cuts rather than chopped and formed meat.
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Cook over medium to medium-high heat. Turkey bacon can dry out on high heat.
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Don’t overlap slices in the pan. This steams rather than crisps.
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Cook thoroughly until deep golden brown. Undercooked turkey bacon stays limp.
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Blot cooked turkey bacon on paper towels. This removes excess oil or water.
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Add seasonings just before removing from heat. Pepper, garlic powder, or chili powder all add flavor.
Following these simple tips will help you achieve irresistibly crispy turkey bacon every time. Experiment with different seasonings and cooking methods to find your favorites.
Incorporating Turkey Bacon into Meals
Crispy turkey bacon is delicious on its own, but it also shines in all sorts of recipes:
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Breakfast: Swap turkey bacon into any breakfast dish like omelets, sandwiches, baked goods, or even pancake batter.
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Salads: Chopped turkey bacon makes a smoky, salty salad topping.
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Soups: Add turkey bacon bits for a crunchy garnish.
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Pizzas & Pastas: Crispy turkey bacon gives great texture and flavor contrast.
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Snacks: Sprinkle crumbled turkey bacon on baked potatoes or use in dips.
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Meat Loaf: Finely chop and mix into ground meat for added moisture.
With its versatility, turkey bacon can fit right into your favorite meals for a lower fat option with all the smoky, salty flavor you love.
So while turkey bacon may not make grease on its own, the right cooking techniques and recipe pairings let you enjoy all that crispy, bacony goodness without the mess. Give turkey bacon a try and find your new go-to recipes for a healthier breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime snack.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Sautéing is quick, but if you don’t want to be in the kitchen, you might like baking turkey bacon instead. 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 thing is batch size. A baking sheet can hold a lot of bacon, which is helpful when you’re cooking for a lot of people.
Follow these steps for crispy, oven-baked turkey bacon without added oil:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place aluminum foil or parchment paper on the bottom of a baking sheet and place a baking rack on top (if you have one). Line the rack or parchment paper with turkey bacon strips in a single layer. Make sure the strips don’t touch each other.
- Put it in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 12 minutes.
- Place the turkey bacon on a plate with paper towels on it to soak up any oil that the heat is drawing out. This will keep the bacon crispier until you serve it.
Quick tip:
You can make turkey bacon in the toaster oven if you only need a few slices. 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.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon on the Stove
Can turkey bacon be cooked on the stove in a pan like pork bacon? Yes, you can. Here are the easy steps to make crispy, tasty turkey bacon:
- Pre-heat skillet to medium high.
- Heat the slices and turn them over every minute to make sure they brown evenly.
- When the bacon is halfway done, turn to medium heat.
- Take off the heat and put on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any extra 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 Make CRISPY Turkey Bacon | Cosmopolitan Cornbread
FAQ
Does turkey bacon make its own oil?
Is the white part of turkey bacon fat?
How is turkey bacon made of?
How to cook turkey bacon in oven?
Fold a sheet of aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Put the turkey bacon strips on the foil and place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Bake the turkey bacon till it’s brown and crispy. This will take about 8 to 10 minutes. The sides of the strips will dry and become crunchy, indicating that they are ready to be flipped.
Does turkey bacon absorb a lot of oil?
The meat doesn’t absorb much of the oil, and if you pat off any excess, you can ensure you aren’t adding too many unnecessary calories to your turkey bacon (method via Cooks Illustrated ). Enjoy! The perfect bacon is crispy on the outside, but still tender and chewy in the center.
What is bacon grease?
Bacon grease is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can elevate your culinary game. Its rich flavor and unique fat composition adds some depth to your meals. Best of all, it is a free by-product that can be had after cooking bacon! Curious to know more?
How do you get more grease from Bacon?
Thicker bacon generally yields more fat but can be chewier, while thinner slices often render less fat but result in crispier end-product. If you can, opt for bacon with a higher fat-to-meat ratio. This will naturally give you more grease. 2. Use an oven to get purer bacon grease