If you’re exploring the world of healthy eating, you might be on the hunt for new and delicious foods to try that are all-natural, nutrient dense, or lower in fat. Whole-cut turkey bacon is a nutritious leaner protein option, and when it’s real-wood smoked, it tastes incredibly similar to pork bacon. But does it cook the same? You can use a variety of simple and familiar cooking methods to cook turkey bacon, and there’s no trick to it. Here are some instructions for getting your bacon just right.
Cooking turkey bacon on the stove top can seem deceivingly simple, but getting the timing just right is key for crispy, mouthwatering results. Unlike pork bacon, turkey bacon has less fat, so the cooking method requires some adjustments. Undercook it and you’ll end up with floppy, flabby strips. Overdo it and your bacon will be dry and burnt.
So how long should you cook turkey bacon on the stovetop to achieve perfection? Through trial, error and many plates of test bacon I’ve dialed in the ideal timing and technique to help you make crispy turkey bacon every time. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from start to finish, including
- Turkey Bacon Basics
- Stovetop Cooking Process Step-by-Step
- How Long to Cook Turkey Bacon on the Stovetop
- Tips to Get the Crispiest Results
- Common Turkey Bacon Mistakes to Avoid
- Serving Suggestions and Recipe Ideas
As a hearty bacon lover, I was skeptical when I first tried turkey bacon But when cooked right, it delivers on both taste and texture. While my pork bacon days aren’t totally behind me, turkey bacon has absolutely earned its place in my kitchen Once you master the stovetop timing, I’m confident it will earn its place in your kitchen too!
Turkey Bacon Basics
Before we get cooking, let’s cover some quick turkey bacon basics:
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Lower Fat Content: Turkey bacon contains less fat than pork bacon – usually about 25-50% less. This means it renders out less grease during cooking.
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Leaner Nutrition Profile: With less fat and around half the calories of pork bacon, turkey bacon is generally considered a healthier alternative.
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More Protein: Turkey bacon packs more protein than pork – nearly twice as much per serving.
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Distinct Flavor: While similar to pork, turkey bacon has a leaner, slightly gamier taste. Some brands use spices to enhance flavor.
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Quick Cooking: The lower fat content means turkey bacon cooks faster than pork, usually in just 4-6 minutes per batch.
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Prone to Dryness: The lean makeup also makes turkey bacon more prone to drying out if overcooked.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you adjust your cooking approach for the best results Now let’s get to the stovetop method!
Stovetop Cooking Process Step-By-Step
Cooking turkey bacon on the stovetop takes just a few easy steps:
1. Heat Skillet
Place a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Cast iron or nonstick work best. Allow 2-3 minutes for the pan to fully preheat.
2. Arrange Bacon
Add the turkey bacon strips to the hot skillet in a single, even layer. Make sure the strips aren’t overlapping.
3. Cook First Side
Let the bacon cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes. The edges will start to visibly brown when it’s ready to flip.
4. Flip and Cook Second Side
Use tongs to carefully flip each strip and cook 2-3 minutes more on the second side.
5. Transfer to Paper Towels
When done, transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
And that’s it – crispy turkey bacon in about 10 minutes or less! Now let’s get into the ideal cooking times.
How Long to Cook Turkey Bacon on the Stovetop
The total stovetop cooking time for turkey bacon is usually 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway. However, a few factors affect the precise timing:
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Bacon Thickness – Thinner slices may need only 2-3 minutes per side, while thick-cut bacon may need 5-6 minutes per side.
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Desired Crispness – Cook an extra 1-2 minutes per side if you like your bacon super crispy.
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Heat Level – Cooking over medium to medium-high heat is ideal. High heat risks burning.
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Pan Preheating – Allow 2-3 minutes for the pan to fully preheat before adding the bacon.
My recommendation is to start checking the bacon at 3 minutes per side, then cook longer if needed. Here are some visual signs your bacon is done:
- Deep golden brown color
- Curled, crispy edges
- Firm, crispy texture
Use tongs to test a piece – it should feel rigid, not limp. If undercooked, keep cooking in 1 minute increments until desired crispness is reached.
Tips to Get the Crispiest Results
Achieving crispy turkey bacon on the stove top is easy when you follow a few simple tips:
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Pat turkey bacon dry before cooking – excess moisture leads to limpness.
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Use a cast iron or nonstick pan for ease of flipping and crispness.
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Preheat the pan thoroughly – don’t rush this step.
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Cook over medium to medium-high heat – high heat increases burning risk.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan – leave space between slices.
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Flip only once during cooking for even crispness.
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Blot grease during and after cooking for optimal crispness.
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Watch closely near the end to prevent overcooking.
Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy perfectly crispy turkey bacon every time!
Common Turkey Bacon Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to go wrong when cooking turkey bacon on the stove top. Here are some common mistakes to be mindful of:
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Overcrowding the pan – too many overlapping strips steam instead of crisp.
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Undercooking – never eat limp, soggy, raw-tasting turkey bacon.
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Overcooking – dried out, burnt turkey bacon is unappealing.
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Cooking on high heat – leads to burning and drying out.
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Not preheating the pan – cool pans increase cook time.
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Flipping repeatedly – only flip once for even cooking.
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Not patting bacon dry – excess moisture prevents crispiness.
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Not draining grease – pooled bacon grease steams the bacon.
By avoiding these missteps, you’ll be on your way to stove top turkey bacon success!
Serving Suggestions and Recipe Ideas
Once you have a batch of hot, crispy turkey bacon from the stove top, it’s time to enjoy it! Here are some tasty serving suggestions:
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Breakfast sandwiches with eggs and cheese
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Salad topping with crumbled bacon and ranch dressing
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Baked potatoes with bacon bits and sour cream
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Brussels sprouts sautéed with diced bacon
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Bacon cheeseburger with turkey bacon
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Roasted broccoli with crispy turkey bacon crumbles
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Spaghetti carbonara with turkey bacon instead of pancetta
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Turkey club sandwich with bacon, lettuce, and tomato
And those are just a few ideas to get you started! There are endless possibilities for creatively incorporating turkey bacon into meals and recipes. It brings a welcome crunch, smokiness, and flavor burst to both breakfast and dinner.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Sautéing is quick, but if you’re hands-off in the kitchen, you might prefer baking turkey bacon in the oven. There are benefits to baking turkey bacon in the oven. One is that you can prep other parts of your meal while the bacon cooks. Another is batch size: a lot of bacon can fit on a baking sheet, which is useful when you’re cooking for a crowd.
Follow these steps for crispy, oven-baked turkey bacon without added oil:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set a baking rack on top (if you have one). Arrange your turkey bacon in a single layer on the rack or parchment, making sure the strips don’t overlap.
- Bake for 12 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any oil drawn out by heat, keeping the turkey bacon more crisp until you serve.
Quick tip:
Not cooking for a crowd? If you only want a few slices, you can make turkey bacon in the toaster oven. Follow the same steps as above.
Turkey bacon tastes great from the oven, but you don’t always have to bake it on its own. For something simple that feels luxurious, wrap a slice of bacon around your favorite fresh vegetable before baking. Or try sprinkling some pepper on top before baking in the oven to elevate your turkey bacon.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon on the Stove
Can you cook turkey bacon in a pan on the stove like pork bacon? Yes, sautéing turkey bacon with oil gives you crispy, flavorful results in a few short steps:
- Pre-heat skillet to medium high.
- Heat slices while turning them every minute to ensure uniform browning.
- When the bacon is halfway done, turn to medium heat.
- Remove from heat to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess cooking oil.
Sautéed turkey bacon shines in classic sandwich recipes like the BLT, and you can prepare it quickly. The delicious taste and crisp texture of our real wood-smoked bacon gives the Ultimate TBLT a nutritious punch.