Turkey bacon is made of ground-up or chopped turkey meat taken from the thighs, breasts, and even the bird's skin. How it becomes so bacon-like is an unexpected process.

Most brands of turkey bacon are made by mincing meat from various parts of the turkey. Many use a mix of light and dark meat to mimic the marbled, streaky look of classic bacon.

Once the meat is ground, it's seasoned and cured in a salt solution, which involves a mixture of salt, sugar, and preservatives like sodium nitrate.

Curing flavors the meat, extends its shelf life and contributes to its coloring. Turkey meat is then smoked to give it a bacon-like taste and pressed into those familiar strips.