Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (2024)

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Making vegan tofu bacon from scratch has never been easier! Tofu bacon is a smoky and utterly delicious vegan bacon alternative you can easily make at home!

Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (1)

Are you following a vegan diet yet still craving the mouthwatering taste of bacon? That’s very understandable. The good news is, you can prepare a very delicious vegan alternative to bacon at home.

I am going to show you how to turn a block of tofu into irresistible tofu bacon strips. This vegan bacon recipe is easy to follow and can be prepared in precisely one hour.

But let’s stop for a second. Vegan and bacon? Huh? Isn’t that a contradiction? No. Most vegans don’t give up animal products because they don’t like them. It’s almost always because of animal welfare, environmental impact, and health aspects.

Therefore, it’s only understandable that one misses the taste of bacon. And to be honest, bacon IS very tasty with its intense smoky flavor. So if you can easily prepare a vegan alternative, why shouldn’t we cheer on that? High-five my beloved tofu bacon!

I am not quite there yet. This vegan bacon substitute is not only for strict vegans, I approach everybody to include it now and then to make a good old tofu B(T)LT sandwich!

You can already buy vegan bacon alternatives at the grocery store, yet I still find it more sympathetic to prepare it at home. Homemade tofu bacon is just super easy to make and utterly delicious.

Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (2)

Liquid smoke

All of the recipe ingredients are everyday produces, expect of one: Liquid Smoke! You need that one for the typical smoky bacon taste. Liquid smoke is an essential ingredient of this recipe and can’t be replaced.

I love cooking with liquid smoke hickory, and it’s especially handy for vegan recipes. I would say it’s worth buying! Note that liquid smoke doesn’t taste pure, you can only use it in connection with recipes.

More recipe ideas usingliquid smoke hickory:

  • Vegan BBQ Sacue
  • Vegan Carbonara

Tofu Bacon

Obviously, tofu is the basic ingredient and only needs a few steps for deliciousness: Cut it into fine slices, marinade in a smoky sauce, and bake! The baked tofu slices are dark brown, rich in protein, and have a delicious smoky flavor.

The vegan bacon seasoning adds a good deal of taste, just as it should be. It’s made with soy sauce, oil, maple syrup, liquid smoke, mustard, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.

You can use it to make vegan sandwiches, vegan pasta carbonara, or to substitute bacon in any recipe of your choice. My favorite way to use: Vegan BLT Sandwiches.

Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (3)

Convinced? Then let’s hop to the recipe! By the way, I have been able to convince non-vegans of the taste of this veggie bacon! 😉

Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe

Read through this visual step-by-step guide with lots of extra tips!

→ Make sure also to check out the recipe video to see how easy it is!

The exact quantities and everything else you need to know for the recipe can be found in the recipe card below.

  • Cover the tofu in a paper towel and press to remove excess water (or use a tofu press). Slice the tofu very thin, and place the slices in a deep bowl, baking dish, or tupperware.
Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (4)
  • Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl.
Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (5)
  • Pour over the tofu and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. → Feel free to marinate the tofu overnight in the fridge.
Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (6)
  • Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the tofu slices in a single layer on it. Drizzle with half of the remaining marinade.
Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (7)
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Take the baking sheet out of the oven, gently flip the tofu using two forks, drizzle with the remaining marinade.
Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (8)
  • Bake for another 15 minutes until very dark brown.
  • Use the warm tofu bacon to make vegan BLT sandwiches or to substitute bacon in any of your preferred recipes. → Tofu bacon can be enjoyed warm or cold.

Recipe FAQ

How long can I store the tofu?Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days in the fridge.

Are you looking for gluten-free vegan bacon?Substitute soy sauce with tamari (gluten-free soy sauce).

Can I replace liquid smoke?As it gives the desired smoky taste, I think it is an important element of this recipe. Try to replace it with smoked salt, although this does alter the taste of this recipe.

More Vegan Basic Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Vegan Tuna
  • Vegan Mayo
  • Vegan Parmesan Cheese
  • Vegan Feta Cheese
  • Cashew Cream

Did You Try This Recipe?

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📖 Recipe

Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (9)

Vegan Tofu Bacon

Making vegan tofu bacon from scratch has never been easier! Tofu bacon is a smoky and utterly delicious vegan bacon alternative you can easily make at home!

Author : Aline Cueni

4.67 from 9 votes

Click on the stars to leave a vote!

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Prep Time :10 minutes mins

Cook Time :35 minutes mins

Marinate :15 minutes mins

Total Time :1 hour hr

Servings : 4

Calories : 118kcal

Ingredients

Vegan Bacon Marinade

Instructions

  • Cover the tofu in a paper towel and press to remove excess water (or use a tofu press). Slice the tofu very thin, and place the slices in a deep bowl, baking dish, or tupperware.

  • Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl. Pour over the tofu and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. → Feel free to marinate the tofu overnight in the fridge.

  • Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the tofu slices in a single layer on it. Drizzle with half of the remaining marinade.

  • Bake for 20 minutes. Take the baking sheet out of the oven, gently flip the tofu using two forks, drizzle with the remaining marinade and bake for another 15 minutes until very dark brown.

  • Use the warm tofu bacon to make vegan BLT sandwiches or to substitute bacon in any of your preferred recipes. → Tofu bacon can be enjoyed warm or cold.

Notes

  • Leftovers can be stored for up to two days in the fridge
  • It’s enough to make 4 BLT Sandwiches. The recipe can easily be doubled.
  • Don’t worry if you don’t have exactly 9 oz tofu. You can prepare the recipe with a little less or more tofu.
  • Liquid Smoke is essential for a smoky bacon taste and can’t be replaced!
  • Gluten-Free Tofu Bacon? Use Tamari, also known as gluten-free soy sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 815mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (13)

Aline Cueni

I’m a girl who loves to cook and bake delicious homemade food. Let me help you to incorporate more plant-based foods into everyday life! Vegetarian & vegan recipes can be anything but boring.

Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe (Vegan Bacon Substitute) | Aline Made (2024)

FAQs

What is a good vegan substitute for bacon? ›

Shiitake mushrooms are a great alternative to bacon for vegetarians and vegans alike. Their velvety texture allows them to soak up any seasonings or marinades added to them with ease. Also, Shiitake mushroom stems are fairly rubbery, giving them a likeness to real bacon.

What is vegan bacon made from? ›

Vegetarian bacon can also be made at home by marinating strips of tempeh or tofu in various flavorings, such as soy sauce or liquid smoke, and then either frying or baking. Aficionados of raw food also use coconut meat as a bacon substitute. Seitan can also be formed into vegetarian bacon.

Is tofu bacon good for you? ›

They tend to be high in sodium, but are generally healthier than animal-derived meat when eaten in moderation, as part of a balanced diet. In other words, don't base all of your meals around vegan bacon, but do enjoy it on a breakfast sandwich.

What are the ingredients in facon? ›

Ingredients: 49% pea protein* (of which 79% pea protein*, 20% horse beans*, salt), rapeseed oil*, water, tomato concentrate*, apple juice*, onion granules*, smoked salt, salt, apple cider vinegar*, sweet paprika* and garlic granules*.

What is the best bacon substitute? ›

Today we are talking about healthy swaps for bacon, so you can eat it every day!
  • Tempeh Bacon. Before you ride off bacon made from soy beans, hear us out. ...
  • Turkey Bacon. This is a slightly healthier option from your average pork bacon. ...
  • Uncured Bacon. If you're buying bacon, always buy it uncured. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Coconut.

What's the best veggie bacon? ›

Another must-try vegan bacon brand is Yves Veggie Cuisine. Why? Because these kosher strips come without all the cholesterol and fat of their meaty counterparts. Yves' vegan bacon strips boast 14g of protein per three-slice serving and contain no trans fats or artificial preservatives.

Does vegan bacon taste like real bacon? ›

And where can you find it? Here's everything you need to know about this surprisingly realistic-tasting vegan bacon. Hooray Foods' plant-based bacon has less sodium and fat than real bacon but tastes a whole lot like the real stuff.

Is beyond meat really vegan? ›

All the flavor you want, none of the cholesterol, hormones, or GMOs you don't. IS BEYOND BEEF® VEGAN? Absolutely! Beyond Meat® products are plant-based and vegan.

Is there any vegan egg? ›

JUST Egg: The market leader in liquid plant-based eggs, JUST egg is made from mung bean protein. The brand is widely available and offers a range of egg alternatives, including liquid egg for making scrambled eggs, omelets, and for using in baking, and a folded option ideal for a breakfast sandwich.

What is the downside of eating too much tofu? ›

The significant disadvantages of Tofu may cause allergies in some people. The symptoms of soy allergies include skin rash, inflammation, itching, fainting, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain and throat swelling. In rare scenarios, Tofu may cause osteoporosis and estrogen-related cancer.

Why do people eat tofu instead of meat? ›

Tofu is rich in nutrients, contains all essential amino acids and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Its adaptability allows for use in diverse dishes, whether as a meat substitute in vegetarian meals, blended into smoothies, or grilled, baked or stir-fried for added protein in a range of recipes.

Is tofu healthier than eggs? ›

In case you're wondering which is healthier, eggs or tofu, the match-up is surprisingly close. If you compare them per serving (1 egg to a 3.5-ounce serving of tofu), the tofu has a similar amount of calories and slightly more protein. Here's how they stack up: Calories: egg = 78 | tofu = 70.

What is gypsy bacon? ›

A very traditional and old-fashioned form of bacon, Gypsy bacon is prepared with garlic and paprika giving it its characteristic spice that is similar to Hungarian bacon. It is rich in flavor and pungent in aroma and usually cooked over and enjoyed around the campfire.

What is Lightlife bacon made of? ›

Ingredients: WATER, WHEAT GLUTEN, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, SUGAR, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORS, SPICE EXTRACTIVES, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, CARRAGEENAN, YEAST EXTRACT, VEGETABLE OIL, NATURAL FLAVOR, RED RICE FLOUR, SMOKED SUGAR, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA (COLOR).

What is Morning Star veggie bacon made of? ›

Ingredients: Water, soybean oil, modified corn starch, egg whites, soy flour, wheat gluten, hydrolyzed corn protein, contains 2% or less of vegetable glycerin, salt, soy protein isolate, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, sugar, yeast, caramel color, natural and artificial flavors, monocalcium phosphate, sodium ...

What tastes like bacon but no bacon? ›

A number of substitutes exist for people who, for ethical, environmental, health, religious, or other reasons, prefer not to eat bacon. The flavor of smoked paprika resembles cooked bacon to some people.

What tastes like bacon but isn't bacon? ›

There are a variety of ways to make vegetarian bacon, but it is often made from ingredients such as soy, tempeh, or mushrooms, which are flavored and processed to mimic the taste and texture of traditional bacon. Some brands may also use pea protein, rice, or wheat gluten to make vegetarian bacon.

Is there a vegan bacon? ›

Vegan Bacon Brands

Every good natural foods store carries at least one variety of vegan bacon. Here are some top brands: Lightlife: Smart Bacon. Sweet Earth: Benevolent Bacon.

What is a good protein substitute for bacon? ›

Although it is more processed than tempeh, tofu can still be a healthy alternative to traditional bacon. It's rich in protein with all eight essential amino acids, and a good source of calcium and iron to boot. (Here are the 20 highest protein veggies and other plant-based foods you can eat.)

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