Traditionally bacon is always cooked. From cooking bacon on the grill to cooking it in the oven or cooking in a cast-iron skillet, bacon isn’t done until it develops a brown color and crispy texture.
However, when you add alternative bacon, like turkey bacon becomes a different ball game. Turkey bacon is different from regular pork bacon.
So, how do you handle turkey bacon? Do you need to cook turkey bacon? Is it already cooked?
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What Is Turkey Bacon?
Turkey bacon is an alternative to pork bacon that contains less fat. Turkey bacon consists of small pieces of smoked turkey meats.
Light and dark turkey meat and skin are chopped or ground into fine pieces and seasoned before being pressed into thin strips that resemble bacon.
In terms of appearances, turkey bacon kind of resembles deli meat. Turkey deli meat has been smoked and cut into thin slices.
Is Turkey Bacon Better for You?
Some health-conscious folks are turkey bacon enthusiasts because it’s a healthier option than traditional bacon.
Traditional bacon renders a lot of fat. However, turkey bacon barely renders any fat.
Therefore, if a higher fat profile is important to you, turkey bacon may not be the best bacon alternative.
Nevertheless, even though turkey bacon is considered a healthier alternative to pork bacon, you are not out of the woods yet.
Turkey bacon has high levels of sodium and saturated fat.
Therefore, turkey bacon is not the end-all-be-all alternative to traditional bacon. Eating too much turkey bacon may lead to health complications down the road.
Is Turkey Bacon Already Cooked?
As I mentioned above, traditional bacon must be cooked. However, turkey bacon is very different from its pork counterparts.
Turkey bacon mimics pork bacon, but it is fully cured and may even be smoked.
Typically, 95% percent of the turkey bacon available at your local grocery store is already cooked.
However, every package of turkey bacon is not cooked. To confirm the turkey is cooked, inspect the packaging.
Is It Good To Eat Raw Turkey Bacon?
One of the convenient things about turkey bacon is that you do not have to cook it granted it is fully cooked bacon.
So, if you are feeling lazy and do not want to pull out a skillet to cook your turkey bacon, you do not have to. You can eat it as is.
However, make sure you check the turkey bacon is fully cooked before you eat it.
Nevertheless, the thought of eating turkey bacon straight out of the package is disgusting.
The texture will be soggy, not crispy. Furthermore, the turkey bacon will be super cold.
Therefore, it may be best to cook the turkey bacon until it is browned and has a crispy texture.
How Long Should Turkey Bacon Be Cooked?
If you are cooking it in the oven, turkey bacon will take about 15 minutes when cooked at 400°F.
Remember to flip the turkey bacon over at the 7-minute mark so both sides get super crispy.
If you are cooking turkey bacon in a skillet, it will take 8-10 minutes.
However, the turkey bacon’s cooking time will vary depending on how chewy or crispy you like your bacon.
How To Cook Turkey Bacon
All of this talk about if turkey bacon is cooked will make you crave crispy turkey bacon.
Luckily, there are 4 different methods you can cook use to cook turkey bacon.
You can cook turkey bacon on the stovetop, in the air fryer or microwave, and in the oven.
How To Cook Turkey Bacon on the Stove
Place the strips of turkey bacon into a skillet. Since turkey bacon contains very little fat, you will need to add additional oil to the skillet.
Place the bacon over medium-high heat and cook the turkey bacon for 3-4 minutes.
Turn the turkey bacon over and cook it until it is golden and crispy.
Remove the turkey bacon from the skillet. Place it onto a paper-towel-lined plate.
How To Cook Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer
To cook your turkey bacon in the air fryer, you can air fry it as it is or bread the bacon like you would bread chicken.
To air fry, the turkey bacon, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the turkey bacon into the air fryer basket.
Do not overcrowd the basket, or the turkey bacon will steam instead of crisp up in the air fryer.
Cook 3-4 pieces of turkey bacon at a time. Coat the turkey bacon for 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can bread the bacon by dredging the turkey bacon into egg whites and then dredging them into breadcrumbs.
Before you add the bacon, spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray, then add the turkey bacon to the basket.
Spray the turkey bacon with non-stick cooking spray and cook for 10-12 minutes at 400°F.
How To Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
To cook your turkey bacon in the oven, place the bacon onto a sheet pan.
Add a few tablespoons of oil to coat the bottom of a rimmed baking sheet and place it into a 400°F degree oven for 5-8 minutes until it’s hot.
The hot oil will help the turkey bacon crisp up as it cooks in the oven.
Remove the Carefully arrange the turkey bacon on the baking sheet and bake it for 7 minutes.
Turn the turkey bacon over and cook it for an additional 7-8 minutes until it is golden brown.
Place the turkey bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate.
How To Cook Turkey Bacon in the Microwave
Lastly, you can also cook bacon in the microwave. It’s extremely easy. Simply arrange your turkey bacon on strips of the paper towel-lined plate.
Place the turkey bacon into the microwave and cook it for 3-5 minutes. Remove the turkey bacon from the microwave and let it cool completely before serving it.
Final Thoughts
Turkey bacon is an awesome alternative to traditional bacon.
Plus, it’s already pre-cooked, so you don’t have to cook it on the stove or heat up your entire house by cooking the bacon in the oven.
You might also be interested in the following:
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- Is Smoked Sausage Already Cooked
- Is Canned Chicken Already Cooked
- Is Chorizo Already Cooked
- Is Spam Already Cooked
- Is Bacon Already Cooked
- Is Canned Salmon Already Cooked
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.