Lets not kid ourselves, here — turkey bacon doesnt quite hit like the real deal. But it’s a great alternative for people who can’t eat pork or who just like chicken because it’s leaner. It tastes good, is smoky, and salty. It doesn’t have as much fat as pork bacon, but if you cook it right, it can crisp up just as well.
By definition, bacon is fatty meat from the belly or sides of a pig that has been salt-cured and cut into those handy strips that we all love. So it makes sense to think that turkey bacon comes from a similar cut of meat along the sides of the bird. But as logical as that conclusion is, its incorrect.
Ground or chopped turkey meat from the thighs, breast, and even the skin of the bird is used to make turkey bacon. The meat is usually both white and dark. So how exactly does turkey bacon become so . bacon-like? Heres everything you need to know.
Demystifying Turkey Bacon: Tracing the Origins of This Popular Breakfast Meat
Crispy, savory, smoky – who doesn’t love the taste of sizzling bacon in the morning? But for those looking for a leaner alternative to pork, turkey bacon has become a go-to breakfast choice. Though you can find it at any grocery store today, have you ever wondered exactly where turkey bacon comes from and how it’s made?
In this article, we’ll explore the origins and production process behind this popular breakfast meat. We’ll also compare nutrition facts and cooking tips for turkey bacon versus pork. Read on to learn all about the mysteries of this bacon substitute!
The Origins: How Was Turkey Bacon Invented?
Turkey bacon originated as a leaner alternative to pork bacon, part of the wider low-fat health trend in the 1980s and 90s. While the exact inventor is unknown, the concept of meat substitutes had been around for decades.
In the 1930s, beef fry was invented as a kosher bacon alternative. In the 60s and 70s, vegetarian movements drove development of meatless products like veggie burgers. Building on these ideas, turkey bacon emerged as another way to enjoy the bacon taste without the fat.
By the 90s, brands like Oscar Mayer had launched turkey bacon nationwide. Its popularity has grown steadily since, appealing to health-conscious consumers or those who don’t eat pork for religious reasons. Though not a true bacon replacement, turkey bacon provides a similar smoky, salty taste in a leaner form.
Made from Turkey…But Not Quite Like You Think
Turkey bacon starts as ground or chopped turkey, usually a mix of light and dark meat. But there’s some processing magic that turns it into those familiar slices:
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Meat Mix – Turkey meat and skin are combined and ground up. Some brands may incorporate pork fat for texture.
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Seasonings – Ingredients like salt, sugar, spices, and smoke flavor balance out the blandness of turkey
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Binders – Fillers like seaweed and carrageenan hold the mixture together,
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Molding – The seasoned meat mix is pressed into thin slices and molded into bacon shapes.
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Cooking – Slices may be smoked or browned to mimic bacon flavor.
The result? Straight strips that look and cook like traditional bacon, with a similar salty, smoky essence.
Comparing Nutrition: Turkey Bacon vs. Pork Bacon
So what’s the health verdict on turkey versus pork bacon? Here’s how they compare nutritionally:
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Calories – Turkey has around 70 fewer calories per serving than pork bacon.
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Fat – Turkey bacon contains about 8 fewer grams of fat per serving.
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Saturated Fat – Turkey has less, but still contains a considerable amount.
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Sodium – Turkey bacon actually has more sodium than pork – nearly 600 mg more per serving.
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Protein – Both offer about the same amount of protein per serving.
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Vitamins – Pork contains more B vitamins and selenium than turkey.
Overall, turkey bacon is leaner but still high in sodium. It provides an okay protein source, but minimal vitamins or nutrients. Moderation is key, no matter which type you enjoy.
Tips for Cooking Delicious Turkey Bacon
Want your turkey bacon to turn out tasty? Follow these pro tips:
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Pan-fry – The stove top makes turkey bacon crispiest. Use medium heat and flip frequently.
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Add flavor – Spice it up with seasoning like garlic, pepper, or chili powder. Maple syrup also complements turkey bacon.
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Bake carefully – In the oven, turkey bacon cooks quickly. Watch it closely to avoid burning.
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Drain excess fat – Turkey bacon releases more fat than pork while cooking. Drain on paper towels before eating.
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Use in recipes – Crumble it on salads, make BLTs, or wrap in spirals for easy appetizers.
With some seasoning tricks and proper cooking technique, you can get turkey bacon to that ideal crisp, crunchy state that mimics the real thing.
Is Turkey Bacon Ultimately Healthier Than Pork?
This depends who you ask. With less fat and calories, turkey bacon may fit better into some diets or dietary restrictions. The taste provides a salty, savory meat alternative without the pork.
However, the high sodium levels could be concerning for certain health conditions. If eaten frequently, turkey bacon may also contain additives like nitrites or excess preservatives. And since it’s still a processed meat, overconsumption could carry similar cancer risks to traditional bacon.
Moderating bacon intake overall, whether pork or turkey, is likely the healthiest approach. When eaten in sensible portions as an occasional treat, both can be incorporated into a balanced diet. Going for turkey bacon once in a while provides a leaner nibble but shouldn’t be treated as a free pass to overindulge.
The Takeaway on This Popular Pork Substitute
Turkey bacon emerged as a leaner alternative to satisfy bacon cravings in a healthier way. While nutritionally still high in sodium, its lower fat and calorie content may be appealing for certain diets or bacon lovers trying to cut back. With some seasoning and the right cooking method, turkey bacon can provide a similar salty, smoky experience to traditional pork in moderation. Just don’t treat it as an excuse to eat unlimited amounts! When craving that crispy bacon taste, turkey bacon remains an easy substitute.
How ground turkey becomes turkey bacon
Some turkey bacon brands say that their bacon is made with 100% thigh or breast meat, but most of the packages you buy at the grocery store are made by mincing meat from different parts of the turkey, and many brands use a mix of light and dark meat to make their bacon look like classic bacon, which is marbled and streaky.
Once the meat is ground up, its seasoned and, similar to pork bacon, cured in a salt solution. Bacon is actually made by curing it, which is usually done with a mix of salt, sugar, and preservatives like sodium nitrate. In addition to making the meat taste better, curing it also makes it last longer and gives it more color.
First, the turkey meat is smoked or flavored to make it taste like bacon. Then, the mixture is pressed into those familiar bacon-shaped strips.
Turkey bacon: How healthy is it really?
FAQ
What part of the turkey is turkey bacon made from?
Does turkey bacon come from a pig?
Which bacon is the healthiest?
Where does turkey meat come from?
Is turkey bacon halal?
Turkey bacon is a meat prepared from chopped, formed, cured, and smoked turkey, commonly marketed as a low-fat alternative to pork bacon; it may also be used as a substitute for bacon where religious dietary laws (for example halal in Islam and kashrut in Judaism) forbid the consumption of pork products. Turkey bacon cooking in skillet.
Where does turkey bacon come from?
Bacon, by definition, is fatty meat that typically comes from the belly or sides of the pig which is salt-cured and cut into those fryable strips we know so well. So naturally, you might assume that turkey bacon derives from a similar cut of meat along the sides of the bird. But as logical as that conclusion is, it’s incorrect.
What is the difference between Turkey bacon and pork bacon?
Turkey bacon and pork bacon are both flavorful, rich and smoky. Both make a tasty side for eggs in the morning, both are great in a BLT, and both work well in recipes. But there are a few key differences between turkey and pork bacon. Nutrition. Here’s a basic nutritional breakdown for both (per 2 pan-fried slices): Flavor.
How is turkey bacon made?
Healthline explains that turkey bacon is generally made using a mix of chopped up light and dark turkey meat, as well as the skin. Verywell Fit adds that turkey bacon can also be made using only dark meat. The different parts are combined with seasonings, oil, and preservatives, and then shaped into a mass that is later sliced (via Healthline).