Is Turkey Bacon Supposed to be Slimy? Everything You Need to Know

Turkey bacon has become a popular lower-fat and lower-calorie alternative to traditional pork bacon. But when you go to cook it, you may notice something strange – it feels kind of slimy and gelatinous. Is this normal or a sign your turkey bacon has gone bad?

As an avid turkey bacon fan myself, I was curious about this too. So I did some digging to get to the bottom of this mystery. Keep reading to find out if your slimy turkey bacon is still good to eat!

What Causes the Sliminess in Turkey Bacon?

There are a few potential causes behind the slimy texture of turkey bacon:

Vacuum Packaging

Many turkey bacon brands are vacuum-packed to extend shelf life. This process can force moisture and juices out of the meat, which congeal into a slippery gelatin when cooled. It’s harmless, just an effect of vacuum sealing.

Exuded Protein

Turkey meat has less fat than pork, but more moisture and protein. Some of this protein can be forced out during processing and appear as a clear, slimy film on sliced turkey bacon. It’s not harmful.

Spoilage Bacteria

Finally, bacteria like lactobacillus can produce slime as they start breaking down sugars in spoiled meat. This slime will be accompanied by off odors. If your turkey bacon smells bad, it’s best to toss it.

So in many cases, a little slime on turkey bacon is totally normal and not a safety issue Only if it seems excessive or has a rancid smell should you be concerned about spoilage and potential foodborne illness.

Signs Your Turkey Bacon Has Gone Bad

While a slimy texture doesn’t necessarily mean your turkey bacon is spoiled there are other signs that indicate it’s gone bad and should be thrown out

Change in color – Fresh turkey bacon should be pink. If it has turned brown, gray, green, or blue, toss it.
Foul, rancid odor – Spoiled turkey bacon will smell rotten and sulfurous. Trust your nose here.
Slimy film covering the entire slice – A small amount of slime is normal, but if it’s excessive, that’s bad news.
Sticky, tacky texture – Turkey bacon shouldn’t feel overly sticky. This indicates bacteria growth.
Mold growth – Any mold at all means the turkey bacon must be discarded. Don’t take risks with mold.

When inspecting turkey bacon, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you’re in doubt about its freshness at all, it’s not worth getting sick over. Just throw it away and buy a new pack.

Proper Storage to Avoid Spoilage

To get the most life out of your turkey bacon and avoid premature spoilage:

Store unopened turkey bacon in the original packaging in the fridge. It will last 1-2 weeks beyond any “sell by” date.
Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container. Use within 4-7 days.
Cooked turkey bacon keeps 3-4 days in the fridge stored in an airtight container.
For longer storage, you can freeze turkey bacon for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.

Proper refrigeration and wrapping is key to preventing your turkey bacon from drying out or exposure to bacteria. Don’t let it sit in the fridge unwrapped!

Is Eating Slimy Turkey Bacon Risky?

If your turkey bacon just has a small amount of slime and otherwise looks and smells normal, it should be safe to eat. The slime itself won’t make you sick.

However, if the slime is excessive or accompanied by other signs of spoilage, bacteria that cause food poisoning could be present. Consuming spoiled meat can result in unpleasant symptoms like:

Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
Fever and chills
Headaches
Fatigue and body aches

The risks outweigh the benefits of trying to salvage turkey bacon that seems questionable. When in doubt, I recommend playing it safe and discarding it.

Tips for Cooking Turkey Bacon Properly

Avoiding illness means not just checking for slime, but also cooking your turkey bacon thoroughly before eating. Here are some tips:

Cook in the oven on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow fat to drip away. Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes.
Pan-fry over medium heat for 3-5 minutes per side until browned and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Microwave 2-3 slices between paper towels for 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
Turkey bacon needs higher heat and longer cooking times than pork to reach food-safe temperatures. Make sure to use a food thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F minimum.
Resist eating raw or undercooked turkey bacon, even in eggs, salads, etc. Always cook it fully.

Following proper storage, handling, and cooking procedures will keep you safe and let you enjoy your turkey bacon without worry! A little slime doesn’t have to come between you and your favorite lean breakfast meat.

The Bottom Line

Finding your turkey bacon is a bit slimy can be alarming. But in many cases, it’s just a harmless effect of the vacuum sealing process on the meat’s natural moisture. Only if the slime seems excessive or is paired with other signs of spoilage should you be concerned and discard the turkey bacon.

With proper refrigeration and thorough cooking, slimy turkey bacon can still be perfectly safe to eat and enjoy! So relax, and don’t let a little slime scare you away from a tasty lower-fat breakfast. Just take care in inspecting it before cooking and you can cook up some great turkey bacon regardless of the texture straight from the pack.

Is turkey bacon healthier than the regular stuff?

FAQ

Why is my turkey bacon slimy in the package?

Signs of Spoiled Turkey Bacon Slimy texture: If the bacon feels slimy or sticky, it is a sign of spoilage. Greenish hue: If the bacon has a greenish tint, it has gone bad. Rotten smell: If the bacon emits a rotten or sour smell, it is no longer safe to consume.

How do you know when turkey bacon goes bad?

IT DOESN’T SMELL QUITE RIGHT Bacon shouldn’t have a strong, rancid scent. If anything, it should smell a bit smoky. If you’re met with a sour or sulfuric odor, your bacon has likely gone bad.

Is slimy bacon okay to eat?

Slime: If your bacon is slimy, it’s a sure sign that bacteria are present and spreading on the meat. Toss it out! Discoloration: Green, grey, or brown discoloration means that the bacon is no longer safe to eat. Time to buy a new pack.

What happens if I eat undercooked turkey bacon?

Turkey bacon is made from thin strips of turkey that have been seasoned and cured. Like pork bacon, consuming raw turkey bacon puts you at risk of foodborne illness. These are the other types of bacon you should know, and—spoiler! —they all need to be cooked.

What does it mean when turkey bacon is slimy?

When turkey bacon is slimy, it means it’s no longer fresh. The meat should feel soft and moist to the touch, not slimy or sticky. Sliminess indicates the presence of lactic acid bacteria, which turns up when the meat has gone bad. Other signs of spoilage are a strong, sour odor; a brown or gray color; and patches of green or blue mold.

Is turkey bacon fully cooked?

If it doesn’t contain pork and is strictly poultry meat, the turkey bacon is usually fully cooked. It’s difficult to determine the temperature of a thin piece of meat such as bacon, but if cooked crisp, it should have reached a safe temperature. Even though turkey bacon is often touted as a healthier bacon alternative, it isn’t much better for you.

Is turkey bacon bad for You?

Keep in mind that turkey bacon does contain 4 grams of saturated fat, which is considered the bad fat for your diet. Still, that is almost half as much with a 2-ounce serving of cooked pork bacon having about 7 grams saturated fat. Eating too much saturated fat increases your risk for heart disease.

Is turkey bacon healthy?

Assuming that turkey bacon is healthier may lead to you eat more of it. This can have a negative impact on your health. You may be surprised to find out that experts recommend one serving or less of bacon per week in your diet. This is true of pork bacon, turkey bacon, or any other cured bacon product.