Can You Eat Raw Turkey Bacon?

I will be sharing all the information about how to cook turkey bacon and if you can eat raw turkey bacon? So if you are a turkey bacon lover, this article is for you.

Turkey Bacon Facts & Info

In this article I will review facts and important information about turkey bacon. It will be concise & focus on raw bacon and these following topics:

I hope you find the quick & simple answers you are looking for plus some additional helpful resources.

How Turkey Bacon is Made?

There are various ways turkey bacon is made. Different brands or meat companies process & package it differently. Here is a short review of the steps that are common when producing turkey bacon:

1. Chop or Grind the Meat
2. Brine and/or Cure the Turkey
3. Smoke for Added Flavor
4. Package & Ship

For more details, I love this overview on how turkey bacon is made by a company that actually makes it.

Is it Cured, Uncured, or Already Cooked?

Please read your packaging carefully to see which kind you have. Turkey bacon can be cured or uncured.

Brands such as Jennie-O turkey bacon is full cooked. The site states you can enjoy it hot or cold.

Some organic or whole food purveyors sell packages that are not cured or fully cooked (like Applegate Farms). They will be brined or salted for flavoring & minimal preservation, but not cooked or cured for safety.

As a rule of thumb, always cook your turkey bacon before eating it - especially for pregnant women, kids, and seniors.

Safe or Not Safe to Eat Raw Turkey Bacon?

Well yes and no, it depends on the brand of turkey bacon you are using. Some turkey bacon is already cooked and smoked when processed.

This formed meat product can be similar to deli meats. So treat it like you would sandwich proteins. Triple check the packaging and look at the brands website for full safety information before eating without cooking it further.

However, some brands are not processed and are actually raw turkey meat. They may not be cured or uncooked. They are NOT safe to eat raw.

Best Ways to Cook Turkey Bacon

My two favorite ways to cook it is in the oven or the microwave. Either of these ways are easy & come out crispy. Here is what you need to know:

• TURKEY BACON IN THE OVEN - pro: cook an entire package all at once plus comes out the crispiest in my experience & con: takes longer to bake.
• TURKEY BACON IN THE MICROWAVE - pro: ready in just minutes which is great for busy weekdays & con: can only make a few slices at once & may be less crispy with a slightly chewy texture.