Can You Freeze Turkey Bacon? [Tested & Detailed Guide]

Turkey bacon is a type of bacon similar to regular pork bacon but made from turkey parts instead.

It can be eaten throughout the world for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and other meals.

Turkey bacon can also be used to make sandwiches such as dutch babies, club sandwiches, and Cubans if desired by the consumer.

Turkey bacon is somewhat cheaper, though.

Turkey bacon can be eaten by itself as a meal or added to an already planned meal for more flavor.

Depending on the turkey bacon brand you start with, it will vary in price from about $6-20 per pound, which is a little cheaper than pork bacon.

There are several different ways you can freeze turkey bacon for safekeeping.

In this article, we will cover the best methods and times to freeze your turkey bacon so you can enjoy it later.

Does Freezing Affect Turkey Bacon?

Turkey bacon can be frozen in many ways, with the first and most obvious being in the freezer.

A kitchen freezer helps maintain a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

Since turkey bacon is mostly meat, it will not have any problems freezing, but there are some other things you need to take into consideration when freezing turkey bacon.

You can freeze either cooked or uncooked turkey bacon.

Both can be frozen for up to 6 months if wrapped properly.

You will need to determine which freezing method is best for you, depending on how you like your turkey bacon.

My personal preference is cooking the turkey bacon first before freezing it to serve it whenever I want without having to cook it first.

The benefit of this method is you will be able to cook it for a couple of minutes and then place it in your refrigerator overnight so the turkey bacon will not go bad as fast.

Although freezing your turkey bacon will not change the taste, texture, or original product, it can lose some of its flavor and color.

It’s best to consume your turkey bacon within 4 to 6 months of freezing.

This will require you to take out the turkey bacon from the freezer and cook it up right away when needed so you can enjoy eating it.

How to Freeze Turkey Bacon?

The turkey bacon can be frozen in several ways depending on how you like to prepare it and determine how it is stored.

The turkey bacon can be left uncooked or cooked, depending on your preference.

Let’s take a look at each method, starting with the cooked turkey bacon.

Freezing Uncooked Turkey Bacon

Uncooked turkey bacon can be frozen in the same packaging that it came in or by placing in an airtight freezer storage bag.

If you choose to freeze your uncooked turkey bacon using a freezer bag, then make sure to press all of the air out from around the turkey bacon as much as possible before sealing closed with a twist tie or similar device.

An uncooked turkey bacon package is suitable to put in the freezer if it’s already been wrapped up with plastic wrap, tin foil, or another type of wrapping that prevents the outside from being exposed to air.

The best way to do this is by putting it inside an airtight freezer storage bag and folding it over the top before completely sealing the bag closed.

Uncooked turkey bacon can be kept frozen for up to 6 months if followed correctly.

It’s best to keep the uncooked turkey bacon in the freezer so it will be ready whenever you need it instead of cooking it again, which would take time and use more energy.

Keep your uncooked turkey bacon frozen but when needed, place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.

You may need to cook it a couple of minutes longer, depending on how long it was in the freezer.

Freezing Cooked Turkey Bacon

Cooked turkey bacon can be frozen in a variety of ways.

One way to freeze cooked turkey bacon is by placing it into another container if you plan on using most of your turkey bacon at one time and saving just a portion for another meal.

This container can be anything from an airtight plastic freezer storage bag to a Tupperware container.

If you want to freeze your cooked turkey bacon in a freezer storage bag, then make sure first to wrap it with plastic wrap or tin foil to prevent the outer wrapping from being exposed to air.

Freezing cooked turkey bacon in an airtight container is also acceptable as long as you follow the same procedure of keeping it wrapped while freezing and when thawing.

It’s best to allow the bacon to cool completely before freezing it.

Freezing cooked turkey bacon should keep for about six months in the freezer if followed correctly.

When serving, remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and then you are ready to cook it up again as needed.

How to Thaw Frozen Turkey Bacon?

The easiest way to thaw frozen turkey bacon is by placing it in the refrigerator overnight.

You can also use cold water if you do not have access to a refrigerator.

This method takes about 30 minutes of submerging the turkey bacon underwater around 40 degrees Fahrenheit which is cool enough for it to be thawed.

You can thaw and reheat frozen turkey bacon in the microwave.

Just remove from the freezer and then place the turkey bacon on a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and heat up for 5 to 10 seconds at a time until thawed.

How to Use Thawed Turkey Bacon?

Once your turkey bacon is thawed, you can use it in multiple ways.

You can cook it as a main entree or snack, use the leftovers to make a sandwich or wrap for lunch, and even cut up pieces of the turkey bacon and add to taste to other dishes like casseroles.

One way to use turkey bacon in the main entree is by frying it up with pepper and onions over medium heat for 5 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.

The next step would be to add some potatoes like hash browns, baked taters, home fries, or french fries.

If you enjoy onions, then feel free to add them too. Another way to use turkey bacon is by making a wrap or sandwich.

Wraps are more appealing than sandwiches because they hold the ingredients together better and also make it easier to bite into without anything falling out of the sides unless you want that effect for some reason.

A good way to make your wraps is by purchasing tortillas, large soft taco shells, lettuce leaves, flour wraps, or any other type of tortillas or sandwich bread.

How to Tell if Frozen Turkey Bacon is Bad?

When you store frozen turkey bacon in a freezer that’s at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, then you can keep it fresh safely for six months.

However, if using a regular household freezer with temperatures more commonly seen at home, then the shelf life of your turkey bacon will be decreased.

A good way to tell if your turkey bacon is bad is by smell. If it smells sour and has mold growing on it, then you may want to throw it away.

Another sign of bad turkey bacon is a change in texture.

If your turkey bacon becomes tough, stringy, or brittle, then it may be past its prime.

A general rule of thumb is that if you can’t stand the smell and look of your turkey bacon, then don’t eat it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, turkey bacon is an alternative to the more popular pork bacon.

It’s less fatty and healthier than its counterpart but has a little less flavor.

The cooking process is almost identical to regular bacon, with only one difference being how you cook it.

Turkey bacon also saves people money by offering them the same great taste while spending less on bacon in general, depending on where they purchase their turkey bacon.

All in all, there is no reason not to try this bacon flavor out if you have never had it before.

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