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

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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 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.

What is a good vegan substitute for bacon? ›

We've rounded up a list of all of the best meat-free bacon alternatives to help you find your new faves.
  • Tempeh bacon. If you haven't heard of Tempeh, it's an excellent meat-free protein source which originated in Indonesia. ...
  • Shiitake Mushroom bacon. ...
  • Seitan bacon. ...
  • Breaded aubergine. ...
  • Carrot bacon.
Feb 26, 2023

What is tofu bacon made of? ›

Tofu Bacon: tofu marinated in a sweet, salty, smoky, tangy sauce and baked to crispy chewy perfection! Easy, Crazy good, protein rich and gluten free. Wait until you guys try my bacon recipe made with tofu!! Yup vegan tofu bacon!

How to mimic bacon flavor? ›

One great recipe for a vegan bacon marinade combines maple syrup with vegetable oil, soy sauce, liquid smoke and our very own Maple Bacon and Black Pepper seasoning.

How processed is vegan bacon? ›

Plant-based meats are ultra processed foods, and they also tend to be high in salt. They are, however, lower in saturated fat, and don't contain the same preservatives as pig bacon.

Is beyond meat really vegan? ›

Beyond Meat® products are for anyone who loves a great tasting burger, whether you're a vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or carnivore. Beyond Meat® builds meat directly from plants so consumers can eat what they love, without compromise.

Which is the best plant-based bacon? ›

But for now, here are some of our favorite vegan bacon brands (listed in no particular order).
  • Lightlife. 1 Lightlife Smart Bacon. ...
  • @beautifitdesi/Instagram. 2Yves Veggie Bacon. ...
  • MyForest Foods. 3My Forest Foods MyBacon. ...
  • Tofurky. ...
  • Upton's Naturals. ...
  • Lightlife Foods. ...
  • Meat The Mushroom. ...
  • The Herbivorous Butcher.
Apr 12, 2024

What is the healthiest substitute for bacon? ›

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.

How is artificial bacon flavor made? ›

These compounds simulate a meaty, smokey bacon flavor:

2-Isopropyl pyridine — burnt, interesting in smoke and bacon flavors.

Why do people eat tofu instead of meat? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Why is tofu not frying? ›

Draining excess water from your tofu helps to create that crispy texture during the frying or baking process. If you don't properly drain it (or don't drain it at all) you're left with a lot of moisture while cooking and this is what often causes the tofu to stick.

Is Tofurky made of tofu? ›

Note that despite what its name might seem to indicate, Tofurky is not primarily a tofu product. Rather, it's almost entirely made of wheat gluten, combined with a smaller amount of tofu. So, obviously, it's not something that anyone on a gluten-free diet would want to eat.

What tastes like bacon but no bacon? ›

Hooray Foods' plant-based bacon has less sodium and fat than real bacon but tastes a whole lot like the real stuff.

Is there a spice that tastes like bacon? ›

My favorite, and the hero of this bacon love story is Smoked Spanish Sweet Paprika. In Spain, it's known as dulce and made from a Spanish variety of Capsicum annum that looks like mini red bell peppers (they're real cute, guys).

What fruit tastes like bacon? ›

As its name suggests, jackfruit is in fact a fruit (related to figs and mulberries). It strongly resembles the texture of bacon—and with the right seasoning it can taste like it too.

How healthy is vegan bacon? ›

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.

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 vegan healthier than meat? ›

Vegetarians and vegans typically have lower body mass index, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure than comparable regular meat-eaters, as well as lower bone mineral density.

Is plant-based meat healthy? ›

New research shows that although plant-based meat products are generally healthier than meat equivalents, they can be higher in sugar and are often lacking important nutrients found in real meat.

References

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