Make Your Own Turkey Bacon from Scratch

Crispy, savory bacon is a breakfast staple, but the high fat and sodium content of traditional pork bacon has led many people to seek out healthier alternatives. Turkey bacon fits the bill with fewer calories, fat and sodium than regular bacon. But even turkey bacon has preservatives and can get pricey. For the ultimate homemade solution, learn how to make turkey bacon completely from scratch.

Why Make Your Own?

Homemade turkey bacon lets you control exactly what goes into it You can avoid the preservatives and fake smoke flavors contained in store-bought Other benefits include

• Use healthier turkey and ingredients

• Customize flavors to your taste

• Save money by buying turkey in bulk

• Enjoy amazingly fresh. tasty turkey bacon

With the right techniques, you can make tender and flavorful turkey bacon easily at home.

Choosing the Right Turkey

For homemade turkey bacon similar to what you get packaged, choose ground turkey thigh meat. Turkey thighs have more fat compared to breast meat, which helps mimic the texture of pork bacon. Make sure to get ground turkey, not turkey cutlets, to allow forming the bacon slices.

You can also use turkey breast for a leaner bacon. Mix in a little bit of skinless thigh meat or turkey fat when forming to boost the fat content. This helps the bacon slices hold together better during cooking.

Curing the Turkey

To get the distinctive bacon flavor, the ground turkey needs to be cured before cooking. You can buy a pre-made turkey bacon cure online or at some specialty stores. Be sure to carefully follow the package instructions.

To make your own basic cure at home, combine:

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pink curing salt

This covers about 2 lbs of ground turkey. Place turkey in a ziplock bag and pour the cure over it. Seal and refrigerate 3-7 days, flipping occasionally. The salt penetrates the meat, tenderizing it and infusing that sweet, salty bacon essence.

Optional Flavorings

After curing, you can mix in spices and flavors to customize your bacon. Try adding any of the following before forming the slices:

• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Get creative with spices like cumin, sage or cloves. The possibilities are endless for putting your own spin on turkey bacon.

Forming the Bacon Slices

Once the turkey is cured and seasoned, it’s time to shape it into bacon slices. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Take about 2-3 ounces of turkey and shape it into a rectangle roughly 1/4 inch thick. Place it on the sheet and flatten it out further using another sheet of wax paper on top.

Repeat with the remaining turkey, spacing slices evenly apart on the sheet. Refrigerate the tray of raw turkey bacon overnight which helps firm it up for easier handling.

Cooking Your Turkey Bacon

To cook your homemade turkey bacon, you can bake it, fry it or even grill it:

• *Bake at 400°F on a wire rack over a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway.

• *Fry in a skillet over medium-low heat, flipping occasionally, until browned and crispy.

• *Grill over indirect heat, with a drip pan below, at 300-325°F until cooked through.

Monitor it closely while cooking to avoid overcooking. When done, your turkey bacon is ready to crumble over salads, complement egg dishes or dress up your favorite sandwiches. Enjoy your fresh homemade turkey bacon!