Who Invented Turkey Bacon? A Look at the History of This Popular Meat Substitute

Turkey bacon has become a staple in many households as a lower fat, lower calorie alternative to traditional pork bacon. But who first came up with the idea to make bacon out of turkey? The origins of this now ubiquitous breakfast meat substitute are fascinating and not as straightforward as you might think.

The Rise of Turkey as an Alternative Meat Source

Long before turkey bacon itself was invented, turkey had already been established as a popular alternative to beef and pork In the 1970s, rising concerns about the health risks of red meat led to an increase in vegetarianism and consumers seeking out lower fat options Turkey met this demand perfectly – its white meat was seen as a healthier choice compared to beef or pork. Food manufacturers jumped on this trend and began marketing turkey versions of classic foods like burgers, sausages and cold cuts.

So while turkey bacon itself hadn’t been invented yet, the stage was already set for its arrival. Once consumers got a taste for turkey as a substitute for red meat, it was only a matter of time before someone applied the same thinking to everyone’s favorite pork product – bacon.

The Dawn of Fake Bacon

Before getting into the specifics of turkey bacon, it’s important to understand the fake bacon landscape of the time. While turkey bacon popularized meat substitutes in the bacon category, it was not actually the original fake bacon product. That distinction belongs to a kosher food called “beef fry” or “beef bacon” invented in the 1930s as a way for Jews to enjoy the taste of bacon without violating kosher dietary laws.

Other meatless bacon substitutes like tempeh and soy bacon also emerged in the coming decades, catering to the vegetarian and health food crowd Throughout the 60s and 70s, a number of companies experimented with products like “facon” (fake bacon), looking for ways to capture the smoky, salty flavor of bacon using vegetable proteins instead of meat.

So while these early attempts laid the groundwork, a tasty meat-based bacon substitute had yet to go mainstream. That breakthrough came in the 1980s when the food industry finally turned to everyone’s favorite white meat – turkey.

Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Takes Center Stage

Most food historians credit Oscar Mayer as the driving force behind the invention of turkey bacon as we know it today. As Americans became increasingly concerned about fat and cholesterol in the 1980s and 90s, Oscar Mayer’s line of lower fat cold cuts including turkey bologna and turkey ham were already becoming popular alternatives to beef and pork.

In 1989, Oscar Mayer announced the release of their groundbreaking new product – turkey bacon. It was marketed as having the same smoky, savory flavor as pork bacon but with a fraction of the fat and calories Oscar Mayer turkey bacon quickly became a top selling product and a staple of the reduced fat and cholesterol diet craze of the time

Other food companies soon followed Oscar Mayer’s lead by releasing their own versions of turkey bacon. Before long, this once obscure product was a staple on grocery store shelves and refrigerator doors all across America. Thirty years later, turkey bacon remains popular as consumers continue seeking out alternatives to fatty, salty pork bacon.

The Science and Process Behind Turkey Bacon

So what exactly is turkey bacon and how is it made? Let’s take a closer look at the science and process involved.

Pork bacon is made by curing fresh pork belly in a brine of water, salt, sugars and nitrates. This curing process gives bacon its signature salty flavor and pink color. The pork belly then goes through a smoking process to add that iconic smoky bacon taste and aroma. Finally, the cured, smoked pork belly is sliced into the thin strips we know as bacon.

Turkey bacon aims to replicate these flavors and textures using turkey meat rather than pork. To make turkey bacon, seasoned turkey breast meat is combined with water and salt to extract proteins. The extracted proteins bind the turkey into a firm, bacon-like texture when cooked. Turkey bacon is also smoked to get a smoky flavoring and the finished turkey meat is sliced to resemble pork bacon strips.

Pre-formed turkey “bacon strips” help give turkey bacon a similar look and feel to real pork bacon. However, the lower fat content of turkey means the cooking process differs somewhat. Turkey bacon doesn’t shrink and get crispy like pork bacon when pan-fried. Many people find cooking turkey bacon in the oven or microwave better maintains its texture.

Nutritional Profile of Turkey Bacon

Oscar Mayer and others initially marketed turkey bacon as a lower fat alternative to pork bacon. But is this actually true? Let’s compare the nutrition facts.

Two slices of pork bacon contain about 7 grams of fat and 40 calories on average. Two slices of turkey bacon contain around 3-5 grams of fat and 25-50 calories depending on brand.

So turkey bacon does win out when it comes to lower overall fat and calories. However, some experts point out that turkey bacon loses some of the potential heart health benefits of pork bacon due to differences in fat composition. The monounsaturated fats found in pork may actually lower LDL “bad” cholesterol.

Turkey bacon is also significantly higher in sodium content compared to an equal portion of pork bacon. Overall though, turkey bacon does deliver a lower calorie, lower fat bacon experience for those looking to reduce fat intake compared to regular bacon.

Who Makes the Best Turkey Bacon?

Once turkey bacon gained mainstream popularity after Oscar Mayer’s launch, the market rapidly expanded to include dozens of brands offering their own version. Here are some of the top options:

Jennie-O Turkey Store – As one of the largest turkey processors, it’s no surprise Jennie-O makes a high quality turkey bacon. Their applewood smoked turkey bacon gets rave reviews.

Butterball – Another turkey giant, Butterball’s turkey bacon is praised for its savory smoked flavor and balance of fat to meat. Their thick-cut turkey bacon packs even more flavor.

Oscar Mayer – Can’t forget the OG. Oscar Mayer turkey bacon comes in several varieties including lower sodium and turkey bacon bits. Their classic applewood smoked turkey bacon still satisfies.

Applegate – For a natural and organic option, Applegate Farms turkey bacon fits the bill with no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Their applewood smoked turkey bacon is a bit pricey but gets high marks for taste.

Hormel Black Label – This more affordable option earns points for its intense smoky flavor that many say comes closest to real pork bacon. The Black Label turkey bacon’s low price makes it a budget favorite.

No matter which brand you choose, turkey bacon makes a serviceable substitute for traditional bacon whether you’re looking to cut fat, reduce sodium or just mix up your morning routine. While pork bacon still reigns supreme for many bacon purists, turkey bacon has carved out an undeniable place in the American diet.

The Future of Turkey Bacon

What’s next for turkey bacon? As consumer tastes continue to evolve, companies are getting creative with new turkey bacon varieties and flavors. Here are some fun new options to watch for:

• Flavored turkey bacons – Look for exciting flavors like maple, brown sugar and honey smoked.

• Turkey bacon bits – Perfect for salads, soups or anywhere you want bacon flavor without the mess.

• Turkey bacon jerky – For high protein snacking on the go.

• Turkey bacon strips – Extra thick-cut strips that mimic pork bacon texture.

• Ground turkey bacon – Adds bacon flavor to burgers, meatballs and more.

• Turketta – A turkey bacon stuffed turkey breast for next-level holiday feasting.

Thirty years after its inception, turkey bacon is still going strong and continues satisfying America’s craving for a tasty, lower fat bacon fix. What new turkey bacon creations will manufacturers think up next? We can’t wait to find out!

So there you have it – the full story behind the invention of turkey bacon and its rise to become a refrigerator staple. Who knew that this humble lunch meat substitute had such a fascinating backstory and impact on the food world? Next time you enjoy a delicious turkey BLT, take a moment to appreciate the ingenuity behind this versatile meat.