Your Guide to Finding: Which Turkey Bacon Is the Healthiest?

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

While often perceived as a healthier alternative to pork bacon, turkey bacon can vary significantly in its nutritional profile, particularly in terms of sodium and additives. Discovering which turkey bacon is the healthiest requires a closer look beyond just the label.

Quick Summary

This guide compares different turkey bacon options, focusing on uncured, low-sodium varieties with clean ingredient lists. Learn how to interpret nutritional information to select a minimally processed choice for a healthier diet.

Key Points

Check the Label: For the healthiest choice, look for uncured, low-sodium, and minimally processed varieties with simple ingredient lists.
Prioritize Uncured: "Uncured" turkey bacon uses natural preservatives like celery powder, avoiding synthetic nitrates and nitrites.
Compare Sodium Levels: Sodium content can vary widely between brands, so always compare labels carefully to find the lowest option.
Top-Rated Brands: Applegate Naturals and Aldi's Never Any! are consistently rated among the healthiest due to their clean ingredient lists and lack of added nitrates.
Use Healthy Cooking Methods: Bake or air fry turkey bacon on a rack to allow excess fat to drip off, and always drain it on paper towels before serving.
Mindful Moderation: Remember that even the healthiest turkey bacon is a processed meat. Enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Understanding the Nutritional Differences in Turkey Bacon

Turkey bacon is a popular alternative to traditional pork bacon, especially for those who don't eat pork or are looking for a leaner option. It is made from ground, seasoned, and pressed turkey meat, typically from the thighs, and then smoked and formed into strips. This manufacturing process means that, unlike pork bacon, the fat content can be more controlled, but the amount of added sodium, sugar, and preservatives can vary dramatically between brands. Therefore, making the healthiest choice requires careful label reading and a clear understanding of what you're consuming.

Key Nutrients to Compare

When evaluating different turkey bacon products, focus on these critical nutritional factors:

Sodium: Turkey bacon can be surprisingly high in sodium. Some varieties contain more sodium per serving than pork bacon because salt is used as a primary flavor enhancer in leaner meat. Look for explicitly labeled low-sodium versions, which exist for many brands.
Added Preservatives: The terms 'cured' and 'uncured' are important. Cured bacon uses synthetic nitrates and nitrites, while uncured bacon uses naturally occurring nitrates, often from celery powder. While research on the health risks of both is ongoing, some health-conscious consumers prefer avoiding the synthetic versions. The cleanest brands will have no added nitrates or nitrites from any source.
Fat and Saturated Fat: Turkey bacon is generally lower in total fat and saturated fat than pork bacon. However, comparing specific products is still necessary, as some manufacturers may add more fat to improve flavor and texture. Focusing on lower saturated fat options is a wise choice for heart health.
Minimal Processing: Opting for brands that advertise 'minimally processed' or 'all-natural' can be a good indicator, though it's not a guarantee of a cleaner product. Always cross-reference with the ingredient list.

The Healthiest Turkey Bacon Brands on the Market

Several brands stand out for their commitment to cleaner ingredients and healthier profiles:

Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Bacon: A top contender, Applegate is known for humane farming practices and no added nitrates or nitrites. It is also Whole30 approved, meaning it contains no sugar, dairy, grains, or legumes.
Aldi's Never Any! Uncured Turkey Bacon: This is a strong, budget-friendly option that boasts no preservatives, nitrates, nitrites, antibiotics, or hormones. Its clean label and minimal processing make it a highly-rated choice.
Trader Joe's Uncured Turkey Bacon: Made from turkey thighs, this bacon is 94% fat-free and contains no added nitrates or nitrites. It is praised for its balanced flavor and texture.
Wellshire Organic Classic Uncured Turkey Bacon: As an organic, humanely raised product, Wellshire is a great option for those prioritizing ethical and clean eating. It's also free of major allergens like gluten, dairy, and soy.

Comparing Brands: A Nutritional Snapshot


Feature	Applegate Naturals	Aldi's Never Any!	Trader Joe's Uncured	Wellshire Organic
Uncured Status	Yes, no added nitrates	Yes, no added nitrates/nitrites	Yes, no added nitrates/nitrites	Yes, no added nitrates/nitrites
Sourcing	Humanely raised	No antibiotics/hormones	Turkey thighs	Organic, humanely raised
Additives	No added sugar or other fillers	No preservatives or fillers	No artificial ingredients	Organic sugar, no fillers
Notable Features	Whole30 Approved	Minimally processed	94% fat-free	Gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free

Cooking Methods for a Healthier Result

The way you cook turkey bacon can also influence its health profile. Leaner meat, like turkey, benefits from cooking methods that prevent it from drying out while also removing excess fat.

Bake on a Rack: Place bacon strips on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet. This allows fat to drip away, resulting in crispier bacon with less grease.
Air Fryer: Air frying is another excellent method for achieving a crispy texture with minimal added oil. The hot air circulates to cook the bacon evenly and quickly.
Drain Excess Fat: Regardless of your cooking method, drain the cooked bacon on a paper towel to absorb any remaining grease before serving.

Conclusion: Making a Mindful Choice

While turkey bacon is often seen as the healthy alternative, it is still a processed meat and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. For the healthiest choice, look for brands that are uncured, low in sodium, and have a minimal, recognizable ingredient list. Brands like Applegate Naturals, Aldi's Never Any!, and Trader Joe's offer superior nutritional profiles and cleaner ingredients. By reading labels and choosing healthier cooking methods, you can enjoy turkey bacon in a more mindful way that supports your overall nutrition goals.

For more information on balancing processed meats in a healthy diet, you can refer to the World Health Organization guidelines on healthy eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Uncured turkey bacon is generally considered a healthier option as it uses naturally occurring nitrates from sources like celery powder, rather than synthetic nitrates and nitrites used in cured versions. However, both are still processed meats and should be consumed in moderation.

Manufacturers often add more sodium to turkey bacon to compensate for its lower fat content and to enhance the flavor. Because turkey is leaner, salt is used more heavily to create a savory taste.

Yes, many brands offer lower-sodium versions. For example, Butterball has a specifically labeled 'Lower Sodium' turkey bacon option. Always check the nutrition label to find the product with the lowest sodium content.

Minimally processed generally refers to products that have been altered as little as possible from their original state. For turkey bacon, this means using a more straightforward forming process with fewer added fillers or artificial ingredients. It's a good indicator of a cleaner product, but always read the full ingredient list.

Organic certification means the turkeys were raised on 100% organic feed and according to humane animal welfare standards. This can be a better choice from an ethical and environmental standpoint, but you should still check the nutrition label for sodium and other additives.

For extra-crispy turkey bacon, consider cooking it in an air fryer or baking it on a wire rack in the oven. These methods allow fat to drip away while promoting even crisping without the need for added oil.

Yes, products labeled 'uncured' often contain nitrates derived from celery powder. While this is a natural source, the nitrates can still convert to nitrites in the body. If you wish to avoid nitrates entirely, you should seek brands with 'no added nitrates or nitrites' that do not use celery powder.

Yes, turkey bacon is a good source of protein. However, some brands may contain slightly less protein per serving than traditional pork bacon. Opting for brands made from dark meat, like Trader Joe's or Sam's Choice, can offer a higher protein count.