Looking for love? Sometimes the greatest connections are made in unexpected places—like the grocery store. Give yourself permission to explore, and to try something new. Give yourself permission to see how you feel… about turkey bacon.

Turkey bacon isn’t flashy. It was never the cool kid in school; it was different from the other proteins. But it was there all along: hardworking, healthy, versatile, and inclusive. Those are the kind of traits that age well. Maybe it’s time you give it a try. You might be surprised at all the wonderful things turkey bacon has to offer.

1. Less Fat, More Protein

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. All natural turkey bacon has 75% less fat than conventional pork bacon and nearly double the protein. This makes it the perfect option for people looking to reduce their fat consumption, or who are eating high-protein diets.

For the best nutritional value, make sure you’re getting the real deal. Look for varieties of turkey bacon made from high-quality cuts of turkey thigh and drum meat rather than the mechanically separated turkey most manufacturers use. And remember, a good turkey bacon is beautiful in its simplicity. It doesn’t need chemical additives to taste great—just a little natural wood smoke flavor.

2. It’s Suitable for Specialized Diets

Worried about how your friends will react to your new crush? There’s no need, as turkey bacon gets along with just about everyone.

It’s gluten free, ketogenic friendly, and dairy free. And of course, it doesn’t contain common allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, soy, eggs, and wheat. Go ahead, seat it next to almost anyone at the dinner table—it’ll be fine.

3. Turkey Bacon is More Sustainable

It’s always nice to have a companion that cares about the environment. If you’re trying to make your grocery shopping trips greener, then you’re aware that eating pork isn’t the best option when it comes to protein. But how does turkey compare? 

As it turns out, turkey is one of the meat options with the smallest environmental impacts, bested only by chicken. That makes it a greener option than beef, lamb, pork, and even fish.

To go one step further toward sustainability, buy your turkey bacon from a company that is committed to good environmental practices, like Godshall’s. Among other good practices, Godshall’s generates solar power, uses robotic washers (saving 5.5 million gallons of water a year), and uses reclaimed waste heat from refrigeration systems to heat water at their factory.

4. It’s Fun to Be Different

Variety is the spice of life, and turkey bacon knows it. After all, it has never been a conventional option. Surprise your family and friends by bringing it home from your next grocery trip. Maybe it wasn’t what they were expecting, but after all, it has a lot going for it! Once they get to know it, they’ll love it, too.

5. A Versatile Ingredient That’s Easy to Prep

Turkey bacon is low maintenance and won’t keep you waiting, as it’s ready to go in minutes. It can be added to many different dishes for a quick blast of crispy, delicious flavor. Crumble it onto salads, slip a few slices into sandwiches, and of course, try it out for breakfast any day of the week. 

As an added bonus, it can easily be prepared on whatever cooking appliance you have handy. You can cook turkey bacon on the stove, in the oven, in the air fryer, or even in the microwave. As all Godshall’s turkey bacon is already fully cooked, it can be microwaved in just a few seconds—a great option for kids who are just learning to make their own meals or snacks.

Turkey bacon is an under appreciated ingredient that has a whole lot to offer. It’s been waiting patiently for your attention, and is thrilled that you’re now ready to give it a chance.

So, is it love? There’s only one way to find out. Make it a date, and try some naturally wood- smoked turkey bacon today with these tasty recipes.

Weekday meals starting to feel a bit repetitive? Mix things up by throwing a new ingredient into your grocery cart, or swap a new ingredient into your favorite recipes.