How Long Does It Take To Cook Turkey Bacon?

If you are looking for a leaner turkey meal, then turkey bacon is the best bet you can enjoy on a thanksgiving day. It is also healthier than its fat contemporary and strikes well as a low-calorie food that is light on your tummy. 

Turkey bacon has many culinary applications that entice people in different ways. Cooking turkey bacon comes as an option that has wide varieties. It can be baked, cooked in an oven, roasted, or even air fried for convenience.

The time taken to cook turkey bacon depends on how crispy or floppy you want it.

People generally prefer crispier bacon as they also make an extremely good snack that can be devoured. Making crispier bacon takes about 20 minutes max, and floppy bacon takes only about 15 minutes max. 

It is a quickfire meal that substitutes whole turkey meat splendidly. If there are fewer people to be served, then turkey bacon is the right choice to all our satisfaction.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Turkey Bacon?

Cooking turkey bacon is faster when compared to cooking whole turkey meat. That is why this is more prominent and conducive for younger lots who prefer to spend less time in the kitchen.

It takes about 18 to 20 minutes maximum to cook crispy turkey bacon. If you want it to be slightly floppy, 12 minutes will do. 

The temperature that has to be maintained is constant at 400 degrees F when it comes to the oven. Turkey bacon is also air fried for 10 minutes before it can be munched. The timing is very subjective since it varies according to how crunchy you want. 

Easy Way To Cook Turkey Bacon

As mentioned in the introduction, cooking turkey bacon in the oven is easier by choice. Cooking turkey bacon can also differ depending on how crispy or floppy you want. 

1. The Temperature In The Oven

This is extremely subjective, depending on your preference. The nominal temperature in the oven should be around 400 degrees F. The oven is preheated to 325 degrees F, and then the turkey bacon is placed on the roasting pan to be shoved inside the oven. 

2. Duration

This is also very negotiable as no accurate duration can be fixed. It also varies according to how crispy you need it. The bacon is also flipped in the middle to roast well on both sides. 

For crispy bacon, it takes about 18 to 20 minutes by flipping in the middle. Floppy bacon takes about 10 to 12 minutes to flip in the middle.

The above choice of cooking also comes across as changeable according to your volition. 

What Are The Other Ways Of Cooking Turkey Bacon?

There are other ways to cook turkey bacon, including the air fryer option. Cooking the turkey bacon in the air fryer takes about 10 minutes. Though this option is exclusively simpler, cooking it in the oven is more delicious and crispier for consumption.

Methods To Follow In The Air Fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F
2. Place all the slices as a single layer in the air fryer basket.
3. Cook for 5 minutes before flipping it for the other side
4. Repeat the same process with all the bacon slices you have.

Why Is Turkey Bacon Loved So Much?

Turkey bacon is the millennial choice of turkey dish people love these days. It has become prominent and is loved by all, irrespective of age. Turkey bacon is also simpler and lighter, which passes off as an easy meal.

The below reasons strike us as to why turkey bacon is a favorite.

1. Turkey bacon is less calorie food than regular turkey bacon.
2. A sheet pan of slices of bacon can be served for a large crowd.
3. The cooking process is easier and simpler.
4. The storage aspects also come across as easier and uncomplicated.

Things Needed To Prepare Turkey Bacon

Cooking turkey bacon is not as complicated as cooking whole turkey meat. It is easier, and the things needed for preparation are also very simple. 

1. The usual butterball turkey bacon is cured and processed in many shops. You will need well-branded turkey bacon that has perfect quality and is definitely within the shelf life duration. 
2. A rimmed cookie sheet that can accommodate all the pieces of turkey bacon without any possible overlapping.
3. Parchment paper to cover the baking sheet. It is cooked in a sealed manner to avoid over-browning on the surface.
4. Paper towel to hold the cooked bacon right after it is taken out of the oven.

What Are The Steps Needed To Cook Turkey Bacon?

1. Preheat the oven to at least 400 degrees F maximum.
2. Cover the sheet pan with parchment paper, so the bottom part is insulated.
3. Line up the bacon strips on the pan neatly by exposing some space to each piece, so they don’t get overlapped.
4. A baking rack to cook bacon in the oven is necessary to protect from any leakage of juices from the meat.
5. Place the bacon in the oven and start cooking it for 10 minutes.
6. A timer would be necessary to mark the end of 10 minutes.
7. After the initial 10 minutes is over, flip the pieces to turn backside and cook for another 5 minutes. This process is followed only if you need crispier bacon. 
8. If the crispiness you intended is reached, it can be removed from the pan.
9. Place it on the plate with paper towels to be served at your mercy.

What Should Be Done To Get Crispier Turkey Bacon?

Crispier turkey bacon is invariably liked by all for the texture it owns. Making the turkey bacon crispier depends on how long you can drag the cooking process. Turkey bacon cooked at 400 degrees F for 18 minutes makes the best meal.

After a gap of 10 minutes, the bacon is flipped to be cooked for another 8 minutes straight. 

A timer to indicate the end of 18 minutes is best served when you need crispier ones to binge upon.

How Do You Know When The Turkey Bacon Is Cooked?

Unlike normal whole turkey meat, turkey bacon is small slices of meat that can be cooked faster. Looking at the texture would suffice to know that it has been completely cooked.

Ensuring that they are crispy enough to be munched indicates that it has been cooked. If you want it browner, tossing it in the oven for some more time will serve the purpose.

What Are Things To Remember When Cooking Turkey Bacon?

1. They are thin slices of turkey meat and hence require less cooking time.
2. Turkey bacon can be cooked in a microwave, frying pan, or air fryer. Just make sure you make it thick and crispy.
3. They are healthy alternatives to whole meat because of the lesser calorie.
4. Seasoning of any choice can go on the surface of turkey bacon without any problem. You can pepper it or even dab it with sauces and garnishing agents.

How Do You Store Leftover Turkey Bacon?

Leftover turkey bacon can be stored in the fridge for about 4 or 5 days. It would be equally fresh if frozen for up to 3 months.

However, a constant check on its quality is recommended when preserving leftover turkeys, as they may go bad if stored for a long time.

Conclusion

If you can’t deal with the cooking techniques of whole turkey meat, you can always switch to turkey bacon. They are like small cookies that are binged on without feeling so heavy.

It is easier to cook turkey bacon and enjoy Thanksgiving with less cooking and more party time. An easy dish that entices people and is quirky enough to satiate the snacky cravings of many is nothing but bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)