If you are looking for a plant-based alternative to bacon that is crispy, chewy and savory, you will love this Vegan Bacon recipe. It is made with tofu and a simple marinade that gives it a smoky and sweet flavor. You can use it for breakfast, BLTs, wraps, salads, pasta dishes and more. Watch the video to see how easy it is!
This Vegan Bacon is a great way to add some protein and texture to your vegan meals. You can cut the tofu into thin strips, chunks or crumbles depending on how you want to use it. The best part is that you don’t need to press or marinate the tofu beforehand. You just bake it in the oven with the marinade until it absorbs the flavor and becomes firm. Then you fry it in a skillet until it gets crispy and delicious.
What you’ll need for Vegan Bacon
- firm or extra firm tofu
- soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- smoked shoyu (or regular soy sauce + liquid smoke)
- maple syrup
- smoked paprika
- coriander
- black pepper
- chipotle powder (or canned)
How to make Tofu Bacon
- Preheat oven to 350F. Drain and slice tofu 1/8″ thick. Lay out on an oiled sheet pan.
- Mix the soy sauce, smoked shoyu, maple syrup, smoked paprika, coriander, black pepper and chipotle powder. Spoon half of the mixture over tofu, spreading out to the edges with the back of the spoon. Bake 15 minutes.
- Flip tofu over carefully with a metal spatula and baste with the remaining marinade. Bake 15 minutes more.
- Let cool for 15 minutes (or refrigerate until ready to use). Heat a skillet and fry the tofu in oil over medium heat until crisp 1-2 minutes per side.
What to Serve with Vegan Bacon Recipe
- Spring Green Vegan Frittata
- Creamy Pea Pasta (Vegan)
- Lemony Potato Salad with Peas
- Herby Chickpea Salad Sandwich
- Smashed Chickpea Avocado Sandwich
- Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
- Charred Asparagus Kale Pasta with Lemony Cannellini Beans
- Orecchiette Pasta with Broccoli Sauce
More tofu recipes you may enjoy
- Baked Tofu with 3 Flavorful Marinades!
- How to make Crispy Tofu
- Enjoy it over Avocado Toast with or without an egg, and top it with microgreens, for a delicious healthy breakfast!
I hope you enjoy this Vegan Bacon recipe as much as I do!