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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Please follow me onFacebook,Instagram, andPinterestfor more free recipes! I would be thrilled to welcome you to my community!

📖 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 strips are marinated in a salty, sweet, smoky marinade that tastes just like bacon. This tofu bacon can marinate in the fridge for up to 3 days so you can prep this ahead of time, and cook it up fresh. Cook it in your air-fryer, bake it, or pan fry it. Perfect for a stress-free morning.

What is vegan bacon made from? ›

This time it's for an oven-baked vegan bacon made of rice paper, crumbled tofu, vegan butter, and spices. Rice paper bacon has been on the scene for a long time — long before any commercial bacon analogues existed on supermarket shelves.

What is a vegan alternative to bacon? ›

Usually, yes! Vegan bacon alternatives are typically made from soy, tempeh or seitan, which mimic the texture of the real thing pretty accurately. Many brands have managed to perfect the taste and even the distinct smell of bacon, which is likely to turn the heads of even the most stubborn non-vegan in your life.

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.

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.

Is Tofurky just tofu? ›

Tofurky is the brand name of an American vegan turkey replacement (also known as a meat analogue, or, more specifically, tofurkey) made from a blend of wheat protein and organic tofu.

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?

How long does vegan bacon last in the fridge? ›

Keep refrigerated. Eat within 3 days of opening. Suitable for freezing. Freeze on day of purchase and use within 1 month.

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.

What do Muslims eat instead of bacon? ›

Macon looks and feels similar to bacon. It would more commonly be found in a thin sliced form used in sandwiches, or as a smaller cut slice topping on a pizza. It is also used as a bacon substitute for religious groups such as Jews and Muslims, whose faith does not allow the consumption of pork.

What tastes like bacon but no bacon? ›

The Best Meat-Free Bacon Alternative: Morningstar Farms Veggie Bacon Strips. The bacon-eaters who participated in the taste test with me concurred: This brand was the most delicious, and also most resembled the real thing.

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 can't you eat tofu everyday? ›

Eating tofu and other soy foods every day is generally considered safe. That said, you may want to moderate your intake if you have: Breast tumors: Because of tofu's weak hormonal effects, some doctors suggest that people with estrogen-sensitive breast tumors limit their soy intake.

Is tofu better for you 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 the downside of 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.

What is tofu made out of? ›

Tofu, or bean curd, is a popular food derived from soya. It is made by curdling fresh soya milk, pressing it into a solid block and then cooling it, in much the same way that traditional dairy cheese is made by curdling and solidifying milk.

Is tofu a meat or vegetable? ›

Tofu is vegetarian because it is derived from soy proteins. These proteins are made from pressed soybean curds in a process similar to cheesemaking. This also means that, because only plant-based products are used in its creation, tofu is vegan.

Is tofu made out of pork? ›

Tofu is made from soybeans which are a staple of the Japanese diet and used to make so many quintessential Japanese dishes and ingredients, like natto and miso.

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.

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