Lets not kid ourselves, here — turkey bacon doesnt quite hit like the real deal. But it does make an excellent alternative for those who cant eat pork or simply prefer poultry as a leaner option. Its salty, smoky, and flavorful, and while it typically doesnt have as much fat as pork bacon, if cooked right it can crisp up just as nicely.
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, its incorrect.
Turkey bacon is actually made of ground-up or chopped turkey, often both white and dark meat, thats taken from the thighs, breast, and even the skin of the bird. So how exactly does turkey bacon become so … bacon-like? Heres everything you need to know.
Turkey bacon has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional pork bacon Some people opt for turkey bacon due to dietary restrictions or preferences, while others view it as a healthier choice But if you’ve ever wondered how this popular breakfast meat is made, the process is quite different from how pork bacon is prepared.
In this article, we’ll uncover the step-by-step production of turkey bacon to give you an inside look into how it goes from turkey to crispy breakfast strips.
An Overview of How Turkey Bacon is Made
While regular bacon comes from pork belly, turkey bacon is made from ground and chopped turkey meat. The main steps in manufacturing turkey bacon include
- Grinding or mincing turkey meat
- Mixing the ground turkey with seasonings and curing ingredients
- Packing the seasoned meat into a log shape
- Slicing and cutting into bacon strips
- Packaging and distributing the finished turkey bacon
Now let’s look at each of these steps in more detail.
Step 1: Ground Turkey Meat
Turkey bacon starts with ground or finely chopped turkey meat. Most turkey bacon contains a mix of both white and dark turkey meat. Using both light and dark meat helps replicate the look and taste of real pork bacon.
The turkey meat used often comes from the breast, thighs, and legs. Skin and fat trimmings may also be mixed in. The meat goes through a grinder or chopper to produce a ground or finely minced turkey mixture.
Step 2: Adding Seasonings and Curing Ingredients
Next, seasonings and curing ingredients get combined into the ground turkey meat This helps add flavor and preserve the turkey bacon.
Some common ingredients added include:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Spices like garlic and onion powder
- Curing agents like sodium erythorbate or sodium nitrite
- Smoke flavoring
The curing agents not only preserve the meat but also give turkey bacon its classic pink coloring.
Step 3: Packing into a Log
After the ground turkey is thoroughly mixed with the seasoning and curing blend, the meat mixture gets tightly packed into a log-like shape.
To mimic the marbled look of pork bacon, some manufacturers alternate layers of white and dark turkey meat while packing the log. This creates streaks of light and dark color through the log.
Step 4: Slicing into Strips
The packed turkey meat log then goes through a mechanical slicer to cut thin, uniform slices that resemble bacon strips. Each slice is roughly 40-70% meat and 30-60% fat, although ratios vary between brands.
The slices are cut to approximately the same thickness as pork bacon slices. This helps achieve a similar cooking time and crispness when prepared.
Step 5: Packaging and Distribution
After slicing, the turkey bacon strips are packaged into retail boxes and distributed to grocery stores and other retailers.
To maintain freshness and shelf life, turkey bacon is sealed in oxygen-free packaging. Some brands are smoked before packaging to add extra flavor. The turkey bacon can last 1-2 weeks refrigerated before opening.
Variations in Ingredients and Process
There are some variations between turkey bacon brands in ingredients, manufacturing process and quality:
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All white meat – Some brands use 100% white turkey breast meat rather than a mix of dark and white meat.
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No nitrates – Certain brands cure the meat with natural sources like celery powder instead of sodium nitrite.
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Artificial preservatives – Low quality brands may contain artificial preservatives, flavorings and extra sodium.
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Smoking method – Good quality turkey bacon is smoked over natural hardwood. Lower quality versions use liquid smoke flavoring.
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Ingredients – Higher quality options contain fewer chemicals and more natural ingredients.
Checking the nutrition labels and ingredients list can help identify better quality turkey bacon options.
Is Turkey Bacon Healthier than Pork Bacon?
Since it contains less fat than pork bacon, turkey bacon is often perceived as a healthier choice. However, both are processed meats high in sodium. Turkey bacon is lower in protein with more added sugars and carbs.
Moderation is key when enjoying any bacon.Turkey bacon can be an acceptablesubstitute for pork but is not necessarily a healthier option overall.
The Final Crispy Result
That covers the main steps from meat processing to package production to make turkey bacon. While the manufacturing process differs from pork bacon, the outcome is a similarly salty, smoky and tasty breakfast meat.
Next time you fry up some turkey bacon, you’ll know the whole process that went into creating those savory crispy strips!
How ground turkey becomes turkey bacon
While some turkey bacon brands will claim 100% thigh meat or breast meat in their bacon, most of the packages that you buy at the grocery store are made by mincing meat from various parts of the turkey, and many brands will use a mix of light and dark meat to mimic the marbled, streaky look of classic bacon.
Once the meat is ground up, its seasoned and, similar to pork bacon, cured in a salt solution. The curing process is what technically makes it bacon; this typically involves a mixture of salt, sugar, and preservatives like sodium nitrate. Curing doesnt only help flavor the meat, but it also extends the products shelf life and contributes to its coloring.
From there, the turkey meat is smoked or flavored to give it that quintessential bacon-like taste, and the mixture is pressed into those familiar bacon-shaped strips.
How Turkey Bacon Is Made
FAQ
Is turkey bacon actually healthy?
What part of the animal is turkey bacon?
How do they make turkey bacon taste like bacon?
How is uncured turkey bacon made?