Are you cooking turkey bacon for the first time, but you are unsure if you are cooking it properly? You may be worried about giving your whole family food poisoning since you are not sure what to look out for while it cooks.
If you are worried about this, look no further. In this guide, we will teach you all you need to know about turkey bacon, and how you can tell if it has been fully cooked.
What Is Turkey Bacon?
If you are not familiar, turkey bacon is a type of processed meat product that is similar to your typical bacon made from pork, except it is made out of – yep, you guessed it – turkey meat.
This type of bacon is supposedly healthier than pork bacon, since it contains fewer calories and saturated fat.
Turkey bacon was developed in recent years in an attempt to satisfy consumer demand while minimizing the negative health risks associated with pork bacon.
While it may not taste exactly like pork bacon, it can be prepared in the same manner and is a fantastic alternative for individuals trying to reduce their calorie and cholesterol intake.
The Overall Cooking Time of Turkey Bacon
So, how much time does it take to prepare bacon made of turkey? This answer will rely on a few elements, such as the technique used to cook and the level of thickness of each slice.
Of course, checking the packet that it was packaged in would be the most appropriate course of action. By reading the packet, you will be able to learn how long you should cook that exact brand of turkey bacon. In the absence of that, here are other ways you can find out.
Turkey bacon slices should generally be fried for approximately ten minutes on both sides. The cooking time for the bacon may need to be increased depending on whether you are using thicker or thinner slices. Some people prefer to bake their bacon, and this will take even longer.
Everyone likes their bacon cooked to different degrees, so your personal preference on bacon will also affect the overall cooking time. Based on how you like it, you can cook your turkey bacon until it is golden and crispy, or until it becomes slightly soft and chewy.
If you’re uncertain about whether your bacon has been cooked to the point where it is safe to consume, it’s advisable to cook the bacon for a while longer.
It is largely better to overcook food than undercook it, although beware that overcooked turkey bacon can become tough and rubbery, and not as nice to eat.
It can be difficult to determine whether your turkey bacon has fully cooked, especially if you are not used to cooking this type of food.
However, with practice, you should be able to get the hang of it, and eventually notice the signs that let you know that the bacon is ready to serve without timing the cooking process (need to adjust your cooking times? See our guide here).
How To Know If The Turkey Bacon Has Been Fully Cooked
It can be difficult to prepare turkey bacon due to the fact it is simple to either overcook or undercook it. Many folks are therefore left inquiring as to how to determine whether turkey bacon is finished.
Fortunately, there are a couple of telltale signs that will enable you to figure out whether your turkey bacon is fully cooked.
First things first, when thoroughly cooked, the turkey bacon ought to be golden in color. Raw turkey bacon is a pale pink color, and this hue should have completely changed by the time you have finished cooking it.
As the bacon cooks, the pink should darken to a golden brown. This is the easiest way to tell if your turkey bacon has completely cooked.
Additionally, the bacon should have a somewhat crunchy texture. Even if you prefer your bacon on the softer side, it should never be completely floppy and wet as it was when it was raw.
There needs to be a firmness to cooked turkey bacon, or else it is not safe to consume. It will need to cook longer if it’s still soft or flexible to touch.
All in all, you will know it is time to turn off the stove when your turkey bacon rashers are both golden and crispy. They should not have any pink coloring left, and it should maintain a sturdy, solid structure.
What Happens If You Consume Undercooked Turkey Bacon?
Due to the possibility of hazardous bacteria present, ingesting uncooked or undercooked turkey bacon may enhance the likelihood of you becoming sick. You should be aware of food poisoning while cooking any meat, as it is a danger that can affect anyone.
Food poisoning signs and symptoms include feeling sick, throwing up, and having diarrhea. Typically, food poisoning will go away on its own, but in specific cases, it can cause the individual to become very sick, and it can even prove to be fatal if left untreated.
It is absolutely crucial to seek medical assistance right away if you develop any of these signs from consuming turkey bacon. You have a higher risk of getting Salmonella or E.Coli by eating raw or undercooked turkey bacon.
Turkey bacon should always be cooked until it has become crunchy and is no longer colored pink, as these are some of the telltale signals that your meat still needs more time to cook.
It is recommended that you be overly cautious when cooking turkey bacon, and to not be afraid to discard it completely if you are not certain of how well it was cooked.
Is Turkey Bacon Better Than ‘Normal’ Bacon?
You may have been asking yourself this question from the very start; is turkey bacon really better than normal, pork bacon?
Most people prefer to eat pork bacon, rendering turkey bacon a lot less popular. There are many reasons why a person may decide to eat turkey bacon over pork bacon, including those who cannot eat pork due to religious reasons.
Several people, however, will opt to replace ‘normal’ bacon with the turkey variety for health reasons.It is said that turkey bacon is a lot healthier than pork bacon, but is this really a true statement? Well, the answer is both yes and no.
Turkey bacon is certainly lower in calories than pork bacon, and it contains a lot less salt. It also contains less saturated fat and cholesterol.
However, just because something contains fewer calories and ‘bad’ stuff like cholesterol does not make it a healthy option; it just makes it a healthier option.
The issue with turkey bacon is that it is highly processed, which can be particularly bad for you if consumed in large quantities. Processed meats have been linked to certain cancers, as well as other health issues.
So, yes, turkey bacon is healthier than pork bacon. This does not, however, mean that turkey bacon is good for you.
Final Thoughts
When cooking turkey bacon, you will want to make sure that it is completely crispy and golden-colored before serving. To achieve this, you will want to cook the bacon on both sides for a total time of ten minutes.
If there are any traces of pink left, do not eat it! Salmonella and E.Coli are no laughing matters, and are best to be avoided altogether.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
