The Complete Guide to Defrosting Turkey Bacon

Turkey bacon has become a popular alternative to traditional pork bacon due to its lower fat content. But before you can cook up a tasty batch of turkey bacon, you first need to properly defrost it. Defrosting turkey bacon requires a bit more care than pork bacon since it has a leaner fat content and can dry out if thawed improperly.

You’ll learn the best ways to safely thaw turkey bacon packages so they’re ready to cook and serve in this full guide. We’ll go over everything from quick microwave defrosting to overnight thawing techniques. There are also helpful tips on how to tell when the bacon is fully defrosted and how to avoid problems that can cause turkey bacon to dry out.

Why Defrosting is Important for Turkey Bacon

Turkey bacon needs defrosting for a few key reasons

• When turkey bacon is thawed, it cooks more evenly. Parts of frozen turkey bacon that are frozen will take longer to cook than parts that are defrosted. This leads to inconsistent cooking.

• It has a better texture when thawed – Cooking frozen turkey bacon can make the texture unpleasantly chewy. Defrosting helps keep it tender.

• The lean turkey meat dries out easily – Turkey bacon has very little fat compared to pork bacon Defrosting helps prevent it from becoming overly dry and crispy when cooked.

• Safety – Frozen meats should always be defrosted before cooking to prevent bacterial growth

So for the best results, it’s important to properly defrost turkey bacon rather than cooking it straight from the freezer. The defrosting method you choose depends on how much time you have.

Quick Microwave Defrosting

If you need thawed turkey bacon in a hurry, using the microwave is the quickest option. Here’s how to safely defrost turkey bacon in the microwave:

• Unwrap the turkey bacon and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Arrange the slices in a single layer, not overlapping.

• Microwave the bacon on the defrost setting based on the wattage of your microwave:

  • For a 700-watt microwave, defrost for 2 minutes per pound.

  • For an 1100-watt microwave, defrost for 1 minute per pound.

• After defrosting, check the bacon by touching it. It should be pliable but still cool to the touch.

• If there are any icy parts remaining, microwave in 30 second intervals until fully softened and defrosted.

• Once defrosted, it’s best to cook the turkey bacon immediately rather than refreezing.

Defrosting in the microwave allows you to safely thaw turkey bacon in just minutes. Just be careful not to overheat it and cook the bacon during the defrosting process. Pay close attention during microwaving to avoid any scorching or drying out.

Cold Water Defrosting

For a slightly longer but still quick defrost method, you can submerge your turkey bacon package in cold water. Here’s how:

• Get a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Make sure the bowl is big enough to fully submerge the bacon package.

• Take the turkey bacon out of the freezer but leave it sealed in the original packaging. Place the entire pack in the bowl of cold water.

• Allow it to sit in the water, changing out the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold.

• One pound of turkey bacon will thaw in about 30 minutes. Larger packs may take up to an hour.

• Check frequently and remove the turkey bacon once it feels pliable and thawed throughout when pressing on the package.

• Dry off the packaging and use immediately. Don’t refreeze bacon thawed using the cold water method.

The cold water thaws the turkey bacon gently and evenly. The packaging prevents any water from getting directly on the meat. It’s a quick thawing method that keeps the lean turkey bacon moist and tender.

Overnight Defrosting in the Fridge

For frozen turkey bacon you want to defrost in a more gradual, hands-off way, thawing it overnight in the refrigerator is ideal. Here’s how:

• Take the turkey bacon out of the freezer and place the unopened package on a plate or pan to catch any drips.

• Put the plate of frozen turkey bacon on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, where it’s coldest.

• Allow the bacon to sit overnight, or around 8-12 hours depending on pack size.

• In the morning, check that the bacon is fully defrosted by feeling for any hard, icy spots in the packaging.

• Cook the turkey bacon as desired, being careful not to refreeze any unused thawed bacon.

The slow fridge thawing gives time for the ice crystals to melt uniformly without freezing the surfaces. Just make sure your fridge is around 40°F or below for safe thawing.

You can also defrost in the fridge up to 2 days in advance before cooking for added convenience. Just keep thawed bacon tightly wrapped in the fridge and use within a day or two.

Tips for Checking Doneness While Defrosting

It’s important to fully defrost turkey bacon before cooking. Here are some ways to test when it’s ready:

• Press on the package – It should have a soft, pliable texture with no stiff icy parts.

• Check the color – The turkey bacon should look moist with no dried out sections.

• Do a float test – Remove one slice from the pack and place it in cold water. If it floats, it’s fully defrosted.

• Use a meat thermometer – Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of a slice. It should read around 40° F or below when thawed.

• Listen while microwaving – Defrosted bacon shouldn’t make crinkling icy sounds when microwaved.

• The drip test – Hold the turkey bacon over a plate after thawing. Defrosted bacon shouldn’t drip much liquid.

Following these simple doneness tests will ensure your turkey bacon is ready for cooking once defrosted.

Can You Cook Turkey Bacon While Frozen?

We don’t recommended cooking frozen turkey bacon. Turkey bacon needs to be fully defrosted before cooking for a few reasons:

• Uneven cooking – Frozen areas will take longer to cook, leading to bacon that’s partly raw and partly burnt.

• Poor texture – The lean turkey bacon can toughen up and become chewy if cooked while frozen.

• Quick drying out – Cooking from frozen removes moisture too quickly from the low-fat turkey bacon.

• Food safety issues – Cooking may not heat all areas to a safe temperature if still frozen.

You can microwave frozen bacon very briefly just to take the chill off before fully defrosting it. But for food safety and the best flavor and texture, it’s best to fully defrost turkey bacon before cooking.

Storing Thawed Turkey Bacon

After defrosting your turkey bacon, it’s important to handle and store it properly:

• Use thawed turkey bacon right away for the best quality.

• Keep thawed bacon tightly wrapped in fridge and use within 1-2 days.

• Never refreeze turkey bacon after it’s been thawed.

• Cook thawed turkey bacon fully until crispy before eating.

By following these storage tips, you can safely enjoy your defrosted turkey bacon while preserving both freshness and food safety.

Common Defrosting Mistakes

Here are some common turkey bacon defrosting mistakes to avoid:

• Forgetting to defrost first – Always defrost frozen turkey bacon completely before cooking.

• Defrosting at room temperature – Don’t thaw on the counter, as this allows bacterial growth.

• Refreezing after thawing – Thawed meats should never be refrozen.

• Microwaving too long – Only microwave just until defrosted, not fully cooked.

• Thawing in standing water – Use cold running water or change out the water frequently.

• Thawing too quickly – Opt for gradual fridge thawing when possible over fast microwaving.

Avoiding these errors will lead to properly thawed turkey bacon ready to become crispy delicious breakfast strips!

Frequently Asked Questions About Defrosting Turkey Bacon

How can you tell when turkey bacon is fully defrosted?

Check for soft texture with no icy sections, pale color instead of frozen dark areas, pliability when bending the strips, and a defrosted temperature around 40°F or below. Fully defrosted turkey bacon will also float when placed in cold water.

Where is the best place to thaw turkey bacon?

Thawing overnight in the refrigerator is ideal. For faster defrosting, use a bowl of cold water or the microwave defrost setting. Don’t thaw frozen turkey bacon at room temperature.

Can you refreeze turkey bacon after defrosting it?

It’s not recommended. Refreezing thawed raw turkey bacon can allow harmful bacteria to grow. Only refreeze turkey bacon if it was cooked before freezing.

Does turkey bacon defrost differently than regular pork bacon?

Yes, a few differences are that turkey bacon defrosts faster but dries out quicker. Thaw turkey bacon more gently than pork and cook it immediately after thawing. Don’t refreeze thawed turkey bacon.

Can you microwave turkey bacon straight from frozen?

You can microwave frozen turkey bacon very briefly just to take off the chill. But always defrost fully for even cooking, proper texture, and food safety. Don’t cook frozen turkey bacon straight through.

For Delicious Defrosted Turkey Bacon

Now that you know all the secrets of defrosting turkey bacon, you can enjoy this tasty lean bacon at breakfast or anytime! Be sure to choose an appropriate quick or gradual thawing method and use thawed bacon promptly for finger-licking goodness. With proper handling during defrosting and cooking, you’ll get tender, mouthwatering turkey bacon every time.