With this simple recipe for Turkey Bacon in the Oven you can enjoy the crispiest, most flavorful, mouth-watering turkey bacon you’ve ever had.
If you ask me, turkey bacon gets a bad rap. It’s always treated like the substitute teacher version of bacon, the second-place option — in other words, not as good. Traditional wisdom says that turkey bacon is what you choose if you’ve got no regular bacon around. It’s what you find in your friend’s refrigerator when looking for something to cook for breakfast. “Oh, turkey bacon…” you might say, a tone of disappointment in your voice. “Well, I guess this will work fine enough.” It can seem like no one is ever happy to cook turkey bacon.
Yes, turkey bacon is often considered the healthier version of bacon, owing to its much lower fat content, but is this really a compliment? When you think of it that way, turkey bacon becomes a sacrifice you make for the sake of health — a disappointing stand-in, rather than a pleasant and delectable treat on its own.
Now, I would like to shatter all those notions, because turkey bacon is not only delicious — it’s often better than regular bacon. First of all, it’s much easier to prepare, because you don’t get the greasy, smoky mess that results from normal bacon. And as much as I love the smell of sizzling bacon, I’m not as much of a fan when that smell lingers in my kitchen for hours and hours afterward. Not to mention, turkey bacon is a great addition to any salad, wrap, or sandwich, because it imparts the savory saltiness of bacon, while not overwhelming the palate, allowing you to enjoy the full breadth of flavors your meal has to offer. And then there’s the way turkey bacon makes you feel after you’ve eaten it. Instead of that heavy-gut, sluggishness that comes from eating too much traditional bacon, I’ve always found turkey bacon to be lean and invigorating, giving me a boost of high-protein energy without that greasy stomach churn feeling.
But there’s that old question: Doesn’t turkey bacon taste worse? To which I say: Absolutely not! You just have to cook it properly. And this technique for oven-baked turkey bacon is the best way to convert turkey bacon haters into full-fledged turkey bacon fans.
Why do I have to use an oven?
Simply put, it’s all about the fat. Traditional bacon is typically cooked in a pan, which allows the fat to render and creates that crispy juiciness that bacon lovers enjoy so much. But turkey bacon, despite its name, is not really bacon in the classic sense. Instead, it’s turkey meat that has been chopped up and formed together, usually with seasonings added, after which it’s cured and smoked.
This results in bacon that has much less fat and fewer calories than traditional bacon, but it also means it doesn’t render on the pan as well. Cooking in an oven ensures consistency, resulting in a nice crispiness, every single time.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
Turkey bacon is great to make ahead and store in the refrigerator, perfect for sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Use a ziplock bag or an airtight container to ensure freshness.
Serving Suggestions
Turkey bacon on its own is great to serve when you have guests over for breakfast or brunch. Simply whip up some eggs, make some toast or pancakes, and roast some turkey bacon in the oven — and there you have it: a delicious breakfast without breaking the bank.
Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Ingredients
- 1 package turkey bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the turkey bacon slices on the lined baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap for even cooking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, then carefully flip each slice using tongs.
- Continue to bake for another 8 minutes or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness.
- Remove from the oven and place the turkey bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
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