How Long to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Microwave for Perfectly Crispy Results

Cooking turkey bacon in the microwave is a quick and easy way to make a tasty breakfast. But nailing the right cook time can be tricky. Undercook it and your turkey bacon turns out limp and soggy. Overdo it and you end up with a burnt, inedible mess.

So how long exactly should you microwave turkey bacon to achieve perfectly crispy results every time? Through plenty of trial and error, I’ve dialed in the ideal microwave turkey bacon cook times. Follow my advice below and you’ll be able to enjoy delicious crispy turkey bacon from your microwave in just minutes.

Microwaving Turkey Bacon vs Frying

Before jumping into microwave times, you may be wondering why you should even microwave turkey bacon in the first place. Why not just pan fry it?

Microwaving turkey bacon has some advantages over frying

• It’s faster – turkey bacon cooks in just 2-3 minutes in the microwave Pan frying takes 8-10 minutes

• Less messy – no dealing with hot grease splattering out of a pan.

• Healthier – microwaving allows fat to render out rather than frying in it

• Easier clean up – just wipe out the microwave instead of scrubbing a greasy frying pan.

So microwaving is great for quick weekday breakfasts or anytime you want crispy turkey bacon without the hassle of frying.

How to Microwave Turkey Bacon

To microwave turkey bacon, you’ll need:

• Paper towels
• Microwave-safe plate
• Turkey bacon

Start by lining a microwave-safe plate with 2-3 paper towels. This will absorb excess grease drippings.

Place turkey bacon slices in a single layer on the paper towels, making sure none overlap. 3-4 slices will fit depending on your plate size.

Cover the bacon with another paper towel. This will prevent splatter.

Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. The exact time depends on how crispy you like your bacon.

Use tongs to transfer the cooked turkey bacon to a new paper towel-lined plate. Enjoy!

Microwave Turkey Bacon Cook Times

There are a few factors that impact microwave turkey bacon cook time:

Number of slices – The more turkey bacon you microwave at once, the longer the cook time.

Microwave wattage – Higher wattage microwaves cook faster than lower wattage.

Doneness preference – Cook times vary based on chewy vs crispy texture.

Here are my recommended microwave cook times for turkey bacon:

2-3 turkey bacon slices

• Chewy: 1 minute
• Crispy: 1.5-2 minutes

4-6 turkey bacon slices

• Chewy: 1.5 minutes
• Crispy: 2-2.5 minutes

I suggest starting with the lower end of the time range and checking doneness frequently. It’s easy to add more cook time but you can’t reverse overcooking.

How to Tell When Turkey Bacon is Done

It can be tricky to determine doneness since you can’t see the turkey bacon as it cooks in the microwave. Here are some ways to check if your turkey bacon is fully cooked:

• Listen for sizzling sounds

• Lift a corner and look for crisping/browning

• Peek at the underside and check for color change

• Touch a piece. Properly cooked turkey bacon will feel firm.

• Cut into a slice and check the interior is no longer pink.

The great thing about microwave cooking is that you can stop and start the microwave to peek inside and check doneness whenever needed.

Troubleshooting Crispy Microwave Turkey Bacon

Follow my microwave turkey bacon instructions and cook time recommendations and you’ll get perfect crispy bacon every time. But here are some troubleshooting tips if you encounter any issues:

Not Crispy Enough

• Cook for longer time in 30 second increments
• Use higher wattage microwave if possible
• Make sure slices aren’t overlapping
• Replace wet paper towels between batches

Burnt/Overcooked

• Use lower cook time range
• Cook at lower microwave power setting
• Don’t cover with paper towel

Curled or Wavy

• Use thinner sliced turkey bacon
• Place slices closer together without overlapping
• Put paper towels underneath and on top

Fat Splatters

• Make sure turkey bacon lays flat
• Don’t overcrowd the plate
• Double up paper towels on top

Sticks to Paper Towel

• Use fresh not previously used paper towels
• Switch to a bacon microwave cooking tray instead

Microwave Turkey Bacon Tips

Beyond getting the microwave time right, follow these tips for making the best turkey bacon:

• Choose turkey bacon without added sugars or seasonings. The flavorings can burn.

• Opt for thin or regular sliced turkey bacon, not extra thick. Thinner cooks up crispier.

• Make sure your microwave plate is truly microwave-safe. Some plates can’t withstand the heat.

• Let the turkey bacon rest 1-2 minutes before eating. This helps it firm up.

• Add flavor with spices! Sprinkle on pepper, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, etc after cooking.

• Store leftovers wrapped in paper towel inside a zip top bag. Keeps for up to 5 days.

Alternative Cooking Methods

While the microwave offers a fast and easy way to make turkey bacon, you can also use these alternative cooking methods:

Oven: Bake turkey bacon slices on a foil-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 10-18 minutes depending on thickness. Flip halfway through.

Air Fryer: Air fry preheated to 370°F for 8-14 minutes, shaking basket occasionally.

Stovetop: Fry over medium heat in a skillet for 4-6 minutes per side. Pour off rendered fat as needed.

All of these methods make delicious crispy turkey bacon, just keep in mind oven and stovetop take more time.

More Tasty Ways to Enjoy Turkey Bacon

Crispy turkey bacon right out of the microwave is delicious enough to eat on its own. But here are a few ideas for how to incorporate it into easy breakfast recipes:

• Turkey BLT Wrap – crispy turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo wrapped in a tortilla.

• Breakfast Sandwich – turkey bacon, egg and cheese on an English muffin or bagel.

• Turkey Bacon Avocado Toast – top toasted bread with mashed avocado and turkey bacon.

• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bowl – scrambled eggs with turkey bacon crumbles and shredded cheese.

• Turkey Bacon & Brussels Sprouts Hash – with potatoes, onions, seasonings.

• Turkey Bacon & Sweet Potato Hash – replace the Brussels sprouts with diced sweet potatoes.

• Breakfast Potato Skins – top baked potato halves with turkey bacon, cheese, scallions.

• Breakfast Taco – scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, cheese folded into a flour tortilla.

The possibilities are endless when you keep a stash of microwave turkey bacon on hand!

FAQs

Still have questions about cooking turkey bacon in the microwave? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How long does an unopened pack of turkey bacon last in the fridge?

Unopened turkey bacon is safe to eat for 7-10 days past the sell by date if continuously refrigerated.

Can you reheat leftover turkey bacon in the microwave?

Yes, microwave leftovers for 15-30 seconds until hot and sizzling. Just watch closely as reheating can quickly lead to overcooking.

Should turkey bacon be touching when microwaving?

No, make sure slices are spaced out in a single layer and not overlapping. Too much contact can prevent even cooking.

Does covering turkey bacon with paper towel help?

Yes, paper towels above and below the turkey bacon help absorb fat splatters and prevent the microwave from getting dirty.

How can you tell if turkey bacon went bad?

Signs of spoiled turkey bacon include slimy texture, dull or faded coloration, sour smell, and mold growth. When in doubt, throw it out!

Get Perfectly Cooked Microwave Turkey Bacon

Crispy crunchy turkey bacon straight from your microwave is totally possible with the right cook times and techniques.

Follow my advice on microwave wattage, number of slices, doneness preferences, and troubleshooting to nail the perfect turkey bacon texture every time. Soon you’ll be enjoying quick and easy microwave turkey bacon breakfasts all week long!