How Is Turkey Bacon Made?

Turkey bacon has been growing in popularity over the last few years and has become a strong seller for us, particularly with customers looking for leaner meats.

It provides a useful alternative to traditional pork bacon for those who do not eat pork, for whatever reason, and for those looking to reduce their red meat intake while still enjoying something bacon-like at breakfast.

But not all turkey bacon is made in the same way. Some turkey bacon is made from minced or chopped turkey which is then formed into bacon-style strips. That is not how we do it at True Bites.

How is turkey bacon usually made?

Turkey bacon is often made using minced, chopped or mechanically prepared turkey meat. This can be mixed with seasonings, curing ingredients and other additives, then shaped or formed into strips designed to look a little like streaky bacon.

There is nothing wrong with customers knowing this. It is simply how some turkey bacon products are made.

But our turkey bacon is different. We make ours using whole turkey breast, not minced or reformed turkey.

How do we make turkey bacon at True Bites?

At True Bites, we make our turkey bacon by hand using 100% turkey breast. There is no mincing, chopping, added water, added sugar, forming or reforming.

Instead, we use the same traditional dry-curing approach as our premium bacon, but with turkey breast instead of pork.

Here is how we make it:

1. We start with a whole turkey breast.
2. We remove any bones and excess fat.
3. We rub the turkey breast with curing salt.
4. The breast is packed and placed in the fridge to cure.
5. The curing process can take up to one week.
6. During curing, the turkey breast is turned regularly to help achieve an even cure.
7. Once cured, the turkey breast is sliced into rashers.
8. The rashers are then packed ready for customers to cook and enjoy.

That is it. Whole turkey breast, dry cured, sliced into rashers.

Is our turkey bacon minced or reformed?

No. Our turkey bacon is not minced, chopped, formed or reformed.

This is one of the main differences between our turkey bacon and some mass-produced turkey bacon products. We start with whole turkey breast and cure it as a whole piece of meat before slicing it.

That gives you a proper slice of turkey breast, prepared in a bacon-style way, rather than a shaped product made from minced turkey.

Does turkey bacon contain nitrates or nitrites?

Yes, our turkey bacon is made using curing salts which include preservatives listed in the ingredients as E250 and E252.

So, to be clear, our turkey bacon is not nitrate or nitrite free. The curing ingredients are part of the curing process and are declared on the product ingredients list.

Our current turkey bacon ingredients are:

• Turkey 97%
• Salt
• Preservatives: E250, E252
• Antioxidant: E301

We think it is better to be clear about this. Our turkey bacon is made from whole turkey breast, but it is still a cured product, and the curing ingredients are part of that process.

Is turkey bacon the same as normal bacon?

No. Traditional bacon is made from pork, usually from the loin or belly depending on whether it is back bacon or streaky bacon.

Turkey bacon is made from turkey, so it does not have the same pork flavour or fat content as traditional bacon. It is leaner, milder and has a different texture.

That said, turkey bacon can still be used in many of the same ways as bacon. It works well for breakfasts, wraps, salads, sandwiches and adding a smoky, savoury flavour to meals.

If you want to understand more about bacon cuts, our guide to where bacon comes from is a useful place to start.

Is turkey bacon lean?

Turkey bacon is generally leaner than traditional pork bacon, especially when it is made from turkey breast.

Because ours is made from turkey breast, it is naturally lean and high in protein. That makes it a popular option for customers who want a bacon-style product with less fat than traditional bacon.

It is still a cured meat, though, so it should be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, just like regular bacon.

How do you cook turkey bacon?

Turkey bacon can be grilled, pan-fried or oven cooked. Because it is leaner than traditional pork bacon, it can dry out if overcooked, so keep an eye on it.

Cook until piping hot throughout and lightly coloured. You can serve it with eggs, in a breakfast sandwich, chopped through salads, added to wraps, or used as a leaner bacon-style topping.

It will not crisp in quite the same way as streaky bacon because it does not have the same fat content, but it is quick, lean and very useful.

FAQs

How is turkey bacon made?

Turkey bacon can be made in different ways. Some products are made from minced or chopped turkey, but our turkey bacon is made from whole turkey breast which is dry cured and sliced into rashers.

Is True Bites turkey bacon made from whole turkey breast?

Yes. We make our turkey bacon using whole turkey breast. It is not minced, chopped, formed or reformed.

Is turkey bacon nitrate free?

No. Our turkey bacon is not nitrate or nitrite free. It is made using curing salts and the ingredients include preservatives E250 and E252.

Does turkey bacon contain preservatives?

Yes. Our turkey bacon ingredients include preservatives E250 and E252, along with antioxidant E301. These are declared on the product ingredients list.

Is turkey bacon pork?

No. Turkey bacon is made from turkey, not pork. Traditional bacon is made from pork, while turkey bacon is a turkey-based alternative.

Can you cook turkey bacon like normal bacon?

You can cook turkey bacon in similar ways, such as grilling, pan-frying or oven cooking. Because it is leaner, it may cook more quickly and can dry out if overcooked.