Turkey bacon is a meat product made from chopped, formed, cured, and smoked turkey that is marketed as a low-fat alternative to pork bacon. It is often used as a substitute for bacon where religious or dietary laws forbid the consumption of pork products. Turkey bacon can be cooked by pan-frying or deep-frying, and it can be used in the same manner as bacon, such as in a BLT sandwich.

Turkey bacon is lower in calories and fat than pork bacon, but the difference per 2-ounce serving is small – 218 vs. 268 calories. The overall fat content in turkey bacon is significantly lower than pork bacon – 14 grams vs. 22 grams. However, turkey bacon is still high in saturated fat and sodium, two substances that put you at greater risk for developing heart disease. Each 2-ounce serving of pork or turkey bacon has roughly the same amount of protein, with pork bacon offering 20 grams per serving and turkey bacon providing 17 grams.

Most varieties of turkey bacon are preserved with synthetic nitrates or nitrites, which help make this food achieve the desired taste and slow the spoilage process. When nitrates or nitrites are cooked at high heat, nitrosamides, a known cancer-causing compound, can form. Turkey bacon is less caloric than pork bacon, but it also tends to have more carbohydrates and sodium. Turkey bacon is often marketed as a healthier option to pork bacon, but that isn’t always the case.

In summary, turkey bacon is a meat product made from turkey that is marketed as a low-fat alternative to pork bacon. It is lower in calories and fat than pork bacon, but it is still high in saturated fat and sodium. Turkey bacon can be enjoyed in small amounts when combined with an overall healthy diet, but generally, it should not be consumed in large amounts every day.