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 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!

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.

Which is the best fake bacon? ›

Our Favorite Vegan Bacon Brands
  • Lightlife. Lightlife's Smart Bacon packs 5g of protein into each two-slice serving. ...
  • Tofurky. Tofurky's Smoky Maple Bacon starts your day right with marinated tempeh strips loaded with 13g of protein per six-strip serving. ...
  • Upton's Naturals. ...
  • Yves Veggie Cuisine. ...
  • Thrilling Foods.
Dec 14, 2023

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.

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.

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.

How healthy is vegan bacon? ›

Vegan bacon could therefore be seen as a better alternative to pig bacon, but that's not to say it's a healthy food product. 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.

Does vegan bacon taste like bacon? ›

Much like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, both of which have produced spot-on imitations of beef, Awesomer gets about as close to real bacon, both in taste and texture, as anything I've tried. So what exactly is this fake bacon made of and is it healthier? How much does it cost? And where can you find it?

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.

Can vegans eat rice? ›

Yes, absolutely! Rice is a common grain in all cooking and has a significant place in the plant-based world too. Some rice dishes may not be suitable for vegans though, so if you're eating out or following a recipe make sure there are no meat, fish or other animal products being used before you tuck in!

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

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.

How unhealthy is fried tofu? ›

Frying tofu can give it a crispy texture, but comes at a cost – it can be high in calories, up to three times more than baked or air-fried tofu. This is because frying requires added oil as a heat conductor, which cooks the tofu evenly but also makes it absorb more oil, resulting in more fat and calories.

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.

How to get bacon flavor without bacon? ›

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. Simply coat your meat-free bacon substitute in this sauce and marinade overnight for the best results.

Does vegan bacon taste like real bacon? ›

We like their smart bacon – it cooks easily, gets crispy; however, it does lack some of that traditional bacon flavor. With the Smoky Bacon Tempeh, the flavor was so much more there, but we don't seem to like tempeh personally.

What is the bacon patch for vegans? ›

Developed by Strong Roots with Oxford professor Charles Spence, the patch is worn on the arm (similar to nicotine patches worn by smokers giving up cigarettes) and when scratched produces a whiff of cooked bacon, intended to curb the wearer's cravings for meat.

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