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 come a long way, but for many it still can’t match the smoky richness of traditional pork bacon However, with the right prep and cooking techniques, you can coax more flavor from turkey bacon to make it taste closer to the real deal
As an avid home cook and turkey bacon connoisseur, I’ve picked up several tips for maximizing the taste. Read on for my complete guide to making turkey bacon taste like regular bacon. With a few simple tricks, you’ll have crisp, meaty, smoky turkey bacon that satisfies like the pork version.
Choosing the Right Turkey Bacon
Not all turkey bacon is created equal. To get the best flavor, look for:
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Thick-cut slices – thinner bacon risks drying out
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Minimal ingredients – avoid fillers like corn syrup
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Peppered or smoked varieties – adds flavor lacking in plain turkey bacon
Thicker sliced, peppered turkey bacon provides more meaty texture and flavor. Applewood smoked turkey bacon offers that quintessential bacon smokiness. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands and styles.
Proper Seasoning is Key
The biggest flavor shortfall of turkey bacon is that it’s often not salty enough. Be generous with seasoning before cooking:
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Salt – Sprinkle both sides with kosher or sea salt. This enhances the savory, meaty taste.
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Pepper – Fresh cracked black pepper adds a peppery zing.
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Smoked paprika – Provides a touch of smokiness.
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Garlic powder – Accentuates the savory umami flavor.
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Brown sugar – A light sprinkle balances with a hint of sweetness.
Don’t be shy – turkey bacon can handle strong seasonings. Customize the blend to your taste.
Cook Low and Slow
High heat can make turkey bacon tough and dry. For tender, flavorful meat, use low to medium-low heat:
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Cook in a skillet over medium-low for 6-8 minutes per side.
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Bake in the oven at 325°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
This slower cooking allows the fat to render out, keeping the bacon juicy.
Helpful Cooking Tips
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Add a drizzle of oil to the pan to prevent sticking. Avocado oil has a mild flavor.
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Cook the bacon on a rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. This allows air flow.
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Weigh the bacon slices down with another pan to press out fat for crispy texture.
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Blot cooked bacon with paper towels to soak up excess grease.
The Finishing Touches
Once cooked, there are a few final touches that give turkey bacon those crave-worthy pork bacon flavors:
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Sprinkle with flaky sea salt – For pops of salty crunch in each bite.
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Brush with maple syrup – For subtle sweetness to balance the saltiness.
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Drizzle with liquid smoke – Only takes a few drops to impart smoky depth.
Incorporate Turkey Bacon Into Other Foods
On its own, turkey bacon can seem one-note. For the best flavor impact, incorporate it into tasty dishes:
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Breakfast tacos or sandwiches
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Hearty salads with dark greens
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Eggs benedict topped with turkey bacon
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Baked beans kicked up with crumbled turkey bacon
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Mac and cheese with turkey bacon sprinkled on top
The interplay of flavors helps make that turkey bacon pop.
Turkey Bacon Has Come a Long Way
While it may never fully replicate pork bacon, today’s turkey bacon can still satisfy cravings when prepared properly. With strategic seasoning, low-and-slow cooking, and incorporating it into flavorful recipes, you can make turkey bacon taste darn close to the real thing.
What tricks do you use to make turkey bacon taste its best? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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 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.
Make Turkey Bacon Taste Like Real Bacon
FAQ
How do they make turkey bacon taste like bacon?
Can you sub turkey bacon for bacon?
Why doesn’t turkey bacon get crispy?
Is turkey bacon fake bacon?
What does turkey bacon taste like?
While turkey bacon doesn’t have the same taste or texture as regular bacon, it has its own smoky, salty, meaty and even a little sweet flavor that many people simply can’t resist! Additionally, when you make turkey bacon in the oven it becomes as crispy as regular bacon. It tastes amazing in a BLT or a club sandwich! Does Turkey Bacon Get Crispy?
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.
Can you cook turkey bacon the same way as pork bacon?
Because turkey bacon doesn’t contain as much fat as pork bacon, you can’t cook it the same way. We tried cooking the strips of turkey bacon on an aluminum foil–lined baking sheet in a 400-degree oven, a method we often use when cooking pork bacon, but the results were not good.
How do you know if Turkey bacon is cooked?
Bubbles and dripping liquid are a good sign because they indicate that the turkey bacon is getting rid of excess liquid and crisping up. Broil your turkey bacon: If you choose to broil turkey bacon at the end of the baking process, cook it for no longer than 1 minute and be sure to keep an eye on it.