Columbus turkey bacon has become a popular lower-fat alternative to traditional pork bacon But one common question is – can you eat Columbus turkey bacon right out of the package or does it need cooking first? Let’s clear up the fully cooked debate and dive into everything you need to know about preparing and enjoying this tasty turkey bacon
Overview of Columbus Turkey Bacon
Columbus Craft Meats produces a line of deli-style turkey bacon products. They offer premium turkey bacon made from whole turkey thighs to deliver robust flavor with less fat than pork bacon.
Key attributes of Columbus turkey bacon include:
- Made from fresh turkey thighs
- Wood-smoked over applewood or hickory
- Seasoned with a signature sweet and smoky blend
- Contains no added nitrates/nitrites
- Approximately 35% less fat than pork bacon
- Sold pre-packaged or presliced
- Available in most major grocery chains
Columbus turkey bacon delivers all the savory taste and crispy texture of traditional bacon in a better-for-you option. But with any meat product, proper handling and cooking is critical
Is Columbus Turkey Bacon Fully Cooked?
No, Columbus turkey bacon is not fully cooked when you purchase it. It is raw and needs to be cooked thoroughly before eating for food safety.
The term “uncured” on the label indicates that no nitrates/nitrites were used in processing. However, uncured does not mean pre-cooked. As with regular raw bacon, Columbus turkey bacon still carries a risk of salmonella and other bacteria if undercooked.
So while convenient to heat and eat, you absolutely must cook Columbus turkey bacon first before consuming. The packaging states in bold letters that it is “raw” and “needs to be cooked.”
Safe Cooking Guidelines
Follow these tips to safely handle and cook Columbus turkey bacon:
- Always wash hands, prep surfaces, utensils after contact with raw turkey bacon.
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness.
- Bake or pan fry until crispy; do not eat undercooked.
- Drain and blot fat during and after cooking.
- Refrigerate unused turkey bacon within 2 hours of cooking.
- Discard turkey bacon left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Reheat fully cooked turkey bacon to 165°F before serving again.
Proper cooking eliminates bacteria and ensures Columbus turkey bacon is safe to enjoy. The same food safety principles used for raw pork bacon apply to turkey bacon as well.
Cooking Instructions
You can prepare Columbus turkey bacon by baking, frying, or microwaving.
Oven Baked:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place turkey bacon slices on foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake 15-18 minutes until crispy and brown.
- Drain fat and blot with paper towels.
Pan Fried:
- In medium skillet, cook turkey bacon over medium heat.
- Fry 3-5 minutes per side until crispy.
- Drain fat from pan; blot bacon with paper towels.
Microwave:
- Line microwave-safe plate with paper towels.
- Arrange turkey bacon slices; cover with paper towel.
- Microwave 2-3 minutes until 165°F.
- Drain fat and blot.
The cooking time may vary based on thickness. Check temperature and doneness before serving.
Tips for Cooking Columbus Turkey Bacon
- Use thick cut turkey bacon for crispiest results.
- Fry in batches to prevent steaming versus crisping.
- Add spices like pepper, sage, rosemary for extra flavor.
- Bake on a wire rack to allow fat to drip away.
- Cook to just shy of crispy, as it will continue crisping up after removing from heat.
- Let oven-baked turkey bacon cool 1-2 minutes before handling.
Uses for Columbus Turkey Bacon
Columbus turkey bacon tastes delicious on its own but also shines in these recipes:
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Burgers or wraps
- Bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwiches
- Cobb or wedge salads
- Omelets or breakfast tacos
- Green beans with bacon
- Bacon jam or baked beans
- Turkey carbonara
With a bit of cooking know-how, Columbus turkey bacon offers a versatile meat option with the same smoky-sweet flavor of pork bacon but with a healthier nutrition profile. Just be sure to fully cook it before eating to enjoy it safely.
Frequency of Entities:
Columbus turkey bacon – 14
bacon – 13
turkey bacon – 10
cook – 7
crispy – 4
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Costco Sale Item Review Columbus Craft Meats Hickory Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon Taste Test
FAQ
Is turkey bacon already cooked?
How do you cook Columbus turkey bacon?
Can you eat turkey bacon out of the package?
Is Columbus turkey bacon processed?
What is Columbus turkey bacon?
COLUMBUS® Turkey Bacon is wood-smoked over hickory or applewood chips and seasoned so you get the rich flavor you expect from bacon, made leaner with real turkey thighs. This bacon is uncured (contains no added nitrates or nitrites) and just like bacon, you need to cook it before enjoying it.
Is Columbus uncured hickory smoked turkey bacon good for You?
All hail the turkey for provide us the great bacon, which tastes great and is much better for you than that of the porkling. So good! Personalized health review for Columbus Uncured Hickory Smoked Turkey Bacon: 45 calories, nutrition grade (B minus), problematic ingredients, and more.
Do I need to cook turkey bacon before eating?
This really depends on the brand, but most national brands of turkey bacon are smoked or cured, but NOT cooked, so you will need to cook the turkey bacon before you eat it. Unless the package specifically says that the turkey bacon is fully cooked and ready to eat, you should cook it.
What temperature should turkey bacon be cooked at?
When the oven baked turkey bacon is fully cooked, use tongs to transfer it to a paper-towel lined plate to blot some of the extra grease before serving. I cook it at 400 degrees, but the temperature is flexible. Don’t stress out about oven temperature too much. You have some flexibility here.