12 Delicious Things to Make with Turkey Bacon

Its winter. Its cold. Ive had a stressful week. What am I craving? A warm plate of smooth and creamy pasta with turkey bacon, obviously!

I have been so stressed this entire week with planning a retirement party for our office manager. Initially, I offered to help and somehow I found myself in charge of a large bulk of the event. Why is there always miscommunication and misunderstandings in these types of situations? The person whom I thought was taking on the decorating job was in fact not. And when did I find out? Wednesday at 4 pm. Yup, the afternoon before the party. So, a colleague and I scrambled around the morning of to set up and decorate at literally the very last minute. The whole process kind of reminded me of wedding planning. It was the type of stress that I was glad to never have to experience again! But, in the end everything came together and it was all worth it. It was so great to be able to show our manager how much we have appreciated her and to see her enjoy her special day. I am not going to lie, though, thank goodness that its over! And thank you for listening to my rant!

Mmm, mmmm, mmmm! This delicious, warm, smooth and creamy pasta is loaded with cheese and turkey bacon to yield the ultimate comfort food. I think I deserve it! This pasta kind of tastes a little bit like a carbonara pasta but without the egg. Not too bad, my friend, not too bad. I initially had fettuccine alfredo in mind, but didnt have fettuccine pasta. I had a box of rotini pasta instead. Exploring my fridge for anything else that I could add, I noticed my turkey bacon was expiring in a couple of days. So, *light bulb moment* I decided to throw that in there. Best decision ever.

Tip: This pasta heats very well the next day and is one of those foods that the leftovers give the fresh stuff some major competition. So if you dont finish it all in one go, pack it up for lunch tomorrow.

Turkey bacon has become a popular lower-fat and lower-calorie alternative to traditional pork bacon. While you can simply substitute turkey bacon in any recipe that calls for regular bacon, there are also lots of great recipes that are specifically designed to highlight turkey bacon. Here are 12 delicious ideas for things to make with turkey bacon!

Breakfast Ideas

Turkey bacon really shines at breakfast time. Here are some morning meal ideas that take advantage of its savory, smoky flavor

1. Turkey Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

These are so easy to make and perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast. Simply fry an egg and turkey bacon, put them on an English muffin with a slice of cheese, and you’ve got a tasty and satisfying sandwich.

2. Turkey Bacon and Gruyère Egg Cups

Make a big batch of these on the weekend for easy breakfasts all week. Whisk eggs with Gruyère cheese and chopped turkey bacon, then bake in muffin tins. Reheat them during the week for a quick breakfast.

3. Turkey Bacon Hashbrown Casserole

This is a great breakfast for feeding a crowd on weekends or holidays. Layer shredded hashbrowns, chopped turkey bacon, eggs, cheese and cream of chicken soup then bake until golden and bubbly.

4. Turkey Bacon Avocado Toast

Top toasted whole grain bread with mashed avocado, crumbled turkey bacon, a poached egg, and red pepper flakes for a delicious and protein-packed start to the day.

5. Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burritos

Scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, potatoes, cheese and salsa wrapped up in a whole wheat tortilla for the perfect on-the-go morning meal. Make a big batch and freeze them.

Lunch and Dinner Recipes

Turkey bacon also makes an appetizing addition to main dishes. Here are some tasty ideas for incorporating it into lunches and dinners:

6. Turkey Bacon Brussels Sprouts Pasta

Toss hot cooked pasta with crispy turkey bacon, shredded Brussels sprouts, Parmesan and lemon for a delicious one-pan dinner. The turkey bacon adds a nice smokiness.

7. Turkey Bacon and Sweet Potato Salad

This healthier salad swaps out deli ham for turkey bacon. Chopped bacon, sweet potatoes, kale and cranberries are tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette.

8. Turkey Bacon Cheeseburgers

Adding crumbled turkey bacon to your burger patties amps up the flavor. Top them with cheddar cheese for extra indulgence.

9.Turkey Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts browned in a skillet then finished baking in the oven with turkey bacon wrapped around them. The bacon keeps the chicken moist and infuses it with flavor.

10. Turkey Bacon Mac and Cheese

Take mac and cheese to the next level by adding crispy chopped turkey bacon. The smoky salty flavor complements the creamy cheese sauce perfectly.

11. BLT Salad with Turkey Bacon

Make this classic sandwich into a salad by chopping up turkey bacon, lettuce and tomatoes and tossing them with crunchy croutons and a homemade ranch dressing.

12. Turkey Bacon Potato Soup

Simmer potatoes and onions in broth along with garlic, celery and turkey bacon for a cozy and satisfying soup. Garnish bowls with extra crispy crumbled turkey bacon.

Tips for Cooking with Turkey Bacon

To get the best results when cooking with turkey bacon, follow these tips:

Choose a good quality turkey bacon for the best texture and flavor. Look for brands without a lot of preservatives.
Cook over medium heat to prevent burning. Turkey bacon browns faster than pork bacon.
Bake turkey bacon in the oven on a wire rack over a foil-lined pan for even cooking.
Crumble and chop turkey bacon before adding it to recipes for the best distribution of flavor.
Add turkey bacon at the end of cooking when you want crispy, crunchy bits. Add it earlier for softer texture.
Fry turkey bacon in batches to prevent steaming for extra crispness.
Let turkey bacon cool before crumbling or chopping as it continues cooking off heat.
Store cooked turkey bacon in the fridge for 5-7 days or freeze for longer storage.

With its savory, salty flavor but fewer calories and fat than pork bacon, turkey bacon is a versatile ingredient to keep on hand. Let these recipe ideas inspire you to incorporate it into all kinds of dishes from breakfast through dinner!

what to make with turkey bacon

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what to make with turkey bacon

Best Way To Cook Turkey Bacon

FAQ

What is turkey bacon good for?

Less Fat, More Protein We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. All natural turkey bacon has 75% less fat than conventional pork bacon and nearly double the protein. This makes it the perfect option for people looking to reduce their fat consumption, or who are eating high-protein diets.

Is turkey bacon healthier than pork bacon?

Turkey bacon has slightly fewer calories and fat than pork bacon and can be a good substitute for people on special diets or who can’t eat pork. Yet, it’s a processed meat with less protein and more added sugar than regular bacon and may contain preservatives that have been linked to increased cancer risk.

Is turkey bacon OK for weight loss?

Some calorie- and fat-conscious eaters choose turkey bacon as a healthy alternative to the pork variety that traditionally graces breakfast tables. But, according to dietitian Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD, this substitute is still high in saturated fat and sodium and doesn’t carry as many health benefits as many believe.

How long does turkey bacon last in the fridge?

With proper refrigeration, unopened raw turkey bacon should maintain its best quality for about 7 to 14 days past the sell-by date on the package. The colder your fridge, the slower bacteria growth will be, helping to preserve the bacon for a bit longer.