Learn how to cook turkey bacon like a pro with easy-to-follow steps for the best oven-baked turkey bacon every time.
How is Turkey Bacon Supposed to be Cooked?
You can cook turkey bacon using a variety of methods. Pan-fry the strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. For mess-free cooking, bake the strips at 400℉ (240℃) for 16-20 minutes. Microwaving turkey bacon involves placing strips between paper towels and cooking them for 1-2 minutes. And the air fryer is another way to cook turkey bacon. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and cook for 8-10 minutes.
What You Need to Make this Recipe
- Turkey Bacon: All you need to make this recipe is one package of turkey bacon, no oil or seasoning required.
Additions and Substitutions
Rub coarsely ground pepper over the strips before baking for seasoned turkey bacon; you can do the same with brown sugar or coconut sugar if you want sweet or candied bacon.
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400℉ (240℃). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack into the baking sheet.
Step 2: Set the turkey bacon onto the wire rack in a single layer, careful not to overlap. Bake for 8 minutes.
Step 3: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip the bacon slices. Continue baking for an additional 8 minutes. Remove the bacon and set it onto a plate with paper towels to remove excess grease before serving.
Expert Tips
- Place parchment paper or foil on the rimmed baking sheet for easy clean-up.
- Set the turkey bacon in a single layer onto a wire rack, allowing the heat to circulate as the slices cook.
- Use tongs to flip the turkey bacon slices halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispiness on both sides.
- Cooking times vary depending on the thickness of the turkey bacon slices and the strength of your oven. Generally, turkey bacon takes 10-15 minutes to cook, but watch the bacon slices toward the end to prevent them from becoming too dark or burning.
- If you don’t have a wire rack, bake the bacon on the parchment paper.
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What to Serve With Turkey Bacon?
Turkey bacon pairs well with scrambled eggs, toast, and crispy home fries. Crumble it over salads, or use it in wraps and sandwiches. Incorporate turkey bacon into pasta dishes like carbonara, or use it as a topping for loaded baked potatoes. And the smokiness of turkey bacon is an excellent addition to soups, quiches, and frittatas.
What to Do With the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store the leftover turkey bacon in an airtight container; it will keep for 3-4 days.
- Freeze – Let the bacon cool completely. Then, wrap individual slices in plastic or parchment paper. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Cooked turkey bacon freezes for 3 months.
- Thaw – When you’re ready to eat the turkey bacon, remove it from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat – Reheated turkey bacon may not be as crispy once frozen. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave, oven (350℉ for 5-8 minutes), or stovetop (2-3 minutes) – careful not to overcook it to prevent it from drying it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of turkey bacon is the best?
I don’t know if it’s the best per-se, but I use Jennie-O, usually because it’s a more budget-friendly option. Other brands include Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon and Butterball Thin and Crispy Turkey Bacon.
If you’re looking for a healthier option, reach for Wellshire Farms Organic Turkey Bacon or Applegate Farms Uncured Turkey Bacon; they are free of antibiotics, hormones, and added nitrates or nitrites.
Is turkey bacon already cooked?
Turkey bacon is typically precooked or cured, but it is always best to check the individual packaging to confirm. And some brands of turkey bacon may require further cooking, especially if they are uncured or thickly sliced.
What to do with turkey bacon?
Pair turkey bacon with scrambled eggs and toast, or crumble it for breakfast burritos or tacos.
And while most consider turkey bacon a breakfast side dish, you can add it to BLT’s, wraps, sandwiches, or salad recipes. Turkey bacon is also a tasty garnish for my BBQ chicken crust pizza!
Does turkey bacon get crispy?
Yes, turkey bacon can become crispy, but it won’t have the same crunch as pork bacon due to its lower fat content. However, turkey bacon can cook until it’s nice and crispy in its own way.
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How to Cook Turkey Bacon
- 1 package turkey bacon
- Preheat the oven to 400℉ (240℃). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack into the baking sheet.
- Set the turkey bacon onto the wire rack in a single layer, careful not to overlap. Bake for 8 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip the bacon slices. Continue baking for an additional 8-12 minutes. Remove the bacon and set it onto a plate with paper towels to remove excess grease before serving.
- Place parchment paper or foil on the rimmed baking sheet for easy clean-up.
- Set the turkey bacon in a single layer onto a wire rack, allowing the heat to circulate as the slices cook.
- Use tongs to flip the turkey bacon slices halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispiness on both sides.
- Cooking times vary depending on the thickness of the turkey bacon slices and the strength of your oven. Generally, turkey bacon takes 10-15 minutes to cook, but watch the bacon slices toward the end to prevent them from becoming too dark or burning.
- If you don’t have a wire rack, bake the bacon on the parchment paper.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.