Looking for a tasty and leaner alternative? Therefore, this guide shows how to cook turkey bacon perfectly. Additionally, we cover all the best methods. Specifically, learn to make crispy turkey bacon every time, using your stove, oven, or air fryer.
Different Ways to Cook Turkey Bacon
Understanding how to cook turkey bacon can seem tricky. Indeed, turkey bacon is a leaner option. However, with the right approach, you can achieve great results. Therefore, this article will show several different methods. Accordingly, you can choose the one that works best for you.
Oven Method for Cooking Turkey Bacon
The oven is a useful tool to cook turkey bacon. It works especially well when cooking bigger amounts. This method provides even heat. It will help your turkey bacon get nice and crispy.
Detailed Steps for Baking Turkey Bacon
- Preheat: First, set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step helps turkey bacon cook evenly.
- Prepare your pan: Take a baking sheet. Cover it with foil or parchment paper. This stops the bacon from sticking.
- Place bacon: Put the turkey bacon on the prepared sheet. Make sure the strips don’t overlap. This will help them cook properly.
- Bake: Put the sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Flip the bacon halfway. This ensures both sides get crispy.
- Check: Watch the bacon carefully. Remove it when it gets to your desired level of crispiness.
- Serve: Take the cooked turkey bacon off the sheet. Place it on a plate with paper towels. This helps remove excess oil. Serve right away.
Stovetop Method for Cooking Turkey Bacon
The stovetop is a common way to cook turkey bacon. Indeed, it’s good for those who like to keep an eye on the cooking. Furthermore, it’s a fast method that can produce crispy turkey bacon.
Detailed Steps for Cooking Turkey Bacon on the Stove
- Heat the pan: Put a skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Let it get hot.
- Add oil: Put a small amount of oil into the pan. Use avocado, canola, or coconut oil. This prevents sticking. It also helps the bacon crisp.
- Place bacon: Put the turkey bacon slices into the hot pan. Don’t put too many in at once. Cook them in small batches.
- Cook and flip: Cook the turkey bacon for 2-3 minutes on each side. Flip it when it starts to brown. Keep flipping it until crispy.
- Serve: Take the cooked turkey bacon out. Put it on a plate with paper towels. This will soak up any extra oil. Serve while hot.
Air Fryer Method for Cooking Turkey Bacon
The air fryer is a very fast option to cook turkey bacon. It is known to cook food quickly. Also, it makes food very crispy. This method is great for smaller batches of bacon.
Detailed Steps for Air Frying Turkey Bacon
- Preheat air fryer: Set your air fryer to 370°F (188°C). Let it preheat for about 4 minutes.
- Arrange bacon: Put the turkey bacon in the air fryer basket. Be sure to lay it in a single layer. Do not let any pieces overlap.
- Air fry: Cook it for 4-5 minutes. Then, flip the turkey bacon. Cook for another 2-4 minutes.
- Check: Keep checking the turkey bacon. Cook it to your preferred level of crisp.
- Serve: Take the turkey bacon from the air fryer. Put it on a plate covered with paper towels. Serve immediately.
Microwave Method for Cooking Turkey Bacon
Microwaving isn’t the best method for crispy bacon. It’s a very fast way to cook turkey bacon. This method is mostly useful when you’re in a hurry or are reheating pre-cooked turkey bacon.
Detailed Steps for Microwaving Turkey Bacon
- Prepare a plate: Place a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with paper towels.
- Arrange the bacon: Put the turkey bacon slices on the paper towels in a single layer.
- Microwave: Cook the bacon on high for 2-4 minutes. Start with 2 minutes. Keep microwaving in one-minute increments.
- Check and serve: Check the turkey bacon to make sure it’s cooked completely. If needed, put it back for a bit. Serve quickly.
Tips for Making Crispy Turkey Bacon
Here are some additional tips for making turkey bacon extra crispy. These tricks will help you get the best taste and texture when cooking turkey bacon.
- Don’t overcrowd: No matter which method you use, don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches instead. This gives each slice enough space to cook well. It also helps the bacon get crispy.
- Use a wire rack: If you bake in the oven, use a wire rack on top of your baking sheet. This will allow air to flow around the bacon. It results in crispier turkey bacon.
- Flip the bacon: Always flip the turkey bacon when it’s cooking. This helps both sides cook evenly. It results in a crispier final product.
- Watch it closely: Start checking for doneness early. This will help you avoid overcooking or burning the turkey bacon.
- Use oil: For stovetop and oven methods, use a small amount of oil to improve the crispiness. Oils like canola or avocado are good options.
- Drain oil: Always put the cooked turkey bacon on a plate with paper towels. This removes extra oil. It makes your turkey bacon less greasy and more crispy.
Why Turkey Bacon Isn’t Always Crispy
Turkey bacon does not always get crispy. This is mostly because it has less fat compared to regular bacon. Less fat means it doesn’t have much rendered fat for crispy results. However, with the correct techniques, you can make it crispy.
- Low fat content: The main reason turkey bacon is not as crispy is its low-fat content.
- No oil: Cooking without oil can make the turkey bacon dry. Using oil will help it get crispy.
- Overcrowding: If you put too much turkey bacon in the pan it will steam instead of fry. This will stop it from becoming crispy.
- Low heat: Cooking at a low heat will not allow the turkey bacon to get to the right temperature. It is important to cook it on medium-high heat.
Ways to Add Flavor to Turkey Bacon
Turkey bacon is a leaner option. However, it can still be full of flavor. Try these ways to add even more flavor.
- Seasoning: Sprinkle your turkey bacon with garlic powder or black pepper before you cook it. This helps it to taste better.
- Maple syrup: Drizzle a little maple syrup on the bacon before baking. This makes it slightly sweet and smoky.
- Brown sugar: Try sprinkling a little brown sugar. It will create a caramelized texture. It also adds a rich sweet flavor.
- Smoked paprika: Use sprinkling of smoked paprika for extra smoky flavor. This will make it very tasty.
Serving Suggestions for Turkey Bacon
Turkey bacon is very versatile. You can serve it with many meals. Here are some serving suggestions.
- Breakfast: Serve it with waffles, pancakes, or eggs. This is a protein-rich breakfast option.
- Sandwiches: Put it in sandwiches, wraps, or BLTs. The crispy texture compliments these meals very well.
- Salads: Crumble crispy turkey bacon on top of salads. It will add flavor and a nice crunch.
- Pasta dishes: Chop it up and put it into pasta. This adds a salty and smoky flavor.
- Toppings: Use it as a topping for potatoes, soups, or casseroles. The crispy texture enhances the overall taste.
Recipe: Oven-Baked Turkey Bacon
This is a simple recipe to bake turkey bacon in the oven. This method gives you great and crispy results every time.
List of what you need:
- 1 pack of turkey bacon
- Optional: 1 tablespoon of oil (avocado, canola, or coconut oil)
- Optional: Seasoning (garlic powder, black pepper, or smoked paprika)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prep the sheet: Put parchment paper or foil on a baking sheet.
- Add oil and seasoning: If desired, drizzle a bit of oil and sprinkle the turkey bacon with seasoning.
- Place bacon: Put the turkey bacon slices on the baking sheet. Don’t let them overlap.
- Bake: Put the sheet into the oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Flip them after half of the time.
- Check: Watch the bacon. Cook it to your desired level of crispiness.
- Serve: Take the turkey bacon from the oven. Place it on a plate with paper towels. Serve hot.
Nutritional Information
This section provides information on the nutritional value of turkey bacon per 100 grams.
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 130 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g |
| Cholesterol | 40mg |
| Sodium | 1150mg |
| Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Protein | 12g |
These values are estimated and can change slightly, depending on the brand of turkey bacon and how it is prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Turkey bacon can be cooked in several different ways. Specifically, these ways include the oven, stove, air fryer, and microwave. Comparatively, the best ways for even cooking and crispiness are the oven and air fryer. Additionally, the stove is another good method, especially with a bit of oil. Conversely, microwaving is the fastest method, but it doesn’t usually make it crispy.
Turkey bacon can be cooked without oil; however, a little bit of oil can help. Indeed, oil can prevent sticking. Moreover, it can also help the bacon brown and crisp up. Specifically, if you don’t want to use oil, make sure the surface you are cooking on is non-stick.
Turkey bacon often doesn’t get very crispy because it has less fat than regular bacon. Indeed, the fat on the bacon helps create the crispy texture. Therefore, you can get crispy turkey bacon by using some oil, having the correct temperature, and not overcrowding your pan.
To cook turkey bacon in an air fryer, preheat it to 370°F (188°C). Then, place the slices in the air fryer basket. Specifically, make sure they don’t overlap. Afterward, cook it for 4-5 minutes, flip it, and cook for another 2-4 minutes, until it is at your preferred crispiness.