Tofu Bacon (The Best Vegan Bacon Recipe) (2024)

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This Vegan Tofu Bacon has an amazing salty, sweet smoky flavor. It’s crispy, chewy, and perfect alongside your pancakes or making the best vegan BLT.

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First, let’s drop the ‘tude and clear the air about tofu. It doesn’t cause man-boobs, shrunken testicl*s, or anything else like that. It’s not the boogie man. It’s just a big block of unflavored protein that’s super healthy.

I will admit that on its own it ain’t that great. But, with a little help, and it doesn’t take much, it’s pretty freaking incredible. As you are about to find out.

Ready? Let’s make some Tofu Bacon!

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First things first. Is this exactly like bacon? No. Because it’s not bacon! And, that’s a good thing.

But, really. What is bacon? It’s unflavored fat that’s been marinated and cooked. Right? So, all we’re doing is taking a super healthy protein that just happens to have a meaty texture and doing the same thing. And, it tastes amazing!

Toss this vegan tofu bacon on some bread with lettuce and my cashew mayo to make the best vegan BLT sandwiches. It’s also great for topping salads. And, if you love vegan bacon recipes don’t forget to check out my amazing vegan bacon bits.

You’re welcome.

Table of Contents

Why You Will Love this Vegan Tofu Bacon Recipe

chewy and surprisingly crispy
sweet and savory
awesome smoky flavor
full of flavor and tastes amazing
a great source of plant-based high protein
oil-free

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What Kind Of Tofu Should I Use?

I’m going to start by saying what type of tofu you should never use to make tofu bacon. DO NOT USE SILKEN TOFU! You’ll end up with a big mess and probably vow to never use tofu ever again. A little dramatic don’t you think? Ok, let’s move on.

Super firm tofu like Wildwood High Protein Tofu is my personal favorite. But, any brand is great for this recipe. Super firm tofu slices really well, has a super meaty texture, and a tofu press is not necessary. You just take it out of the package, pat it with a paper towel, and you’re ready to go.

If you don’t have super firm tofu use a block extra firm tofu. It works very well. Just be sure you press it for at least 20-30 minutes, even longer, before you slice it and marinate it. Getting most of the water out of the tofu helps the marinade absorb and stick a little better.

Ingredients You’ll Need

extra firm tofu
low sodiumsoy sauce(usetamarifor gluten-free)
pure maple syrup
vegetarianWorcestershire sauce
tomato paste
smoked paprika or paprika
liquid smoke (optional)
garlic powder
black pepper

How To Make Tofu Bacon

Tofu bacon is so easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. And, it’s also cheap and relatively quick.

Start out by slicing your tofu into thin strips. But, not too thin. You’ll find many differing opinions on this issue. However, in my experience, if the strips are too thin they will cook very fast and end up burnt. Yes, charred and crispy tofu bacon is one thing, scorched is another.

And, don’t worry about trying to slice the strips evenly. That’s what gives you a variety of crispiness, chewiness, and thickness.

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Now, it’s time to marinate! Place the tofu slices in a small bowl or container, whisk the marinade ingredients together, and pour over the tofu until all the pieces are covered.

I would suggest letting the tofu marinate for at least 1 hour. But, if you are wanting maximum flavor let the tofu slices marinate for several hours. But, overnight is best.

Remember, tofu bacon is all about flavor.

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Once your tofu is ready lay the strips out evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, bake for 20 minutes in a 375-degree oven.

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Remove the tofu bacon from the oven and flip with a fork, baste with some of the leftover marinade, and place back in the oven for 10 more minutes.

Flipping the tofu is important because it helps the tofu bacon to cook and crisp up consistently and evenly.

Now, at this point, you could just call it a day and enjoy this smoky, sweet, and savory creation. But, why stop? I would suggest you take it a step further. Because anything worth doing is worth doing right. Right?

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Once you take the tofu bacon out of the oven, preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Then, add several of the tofu bacon strips at a time, coat with a little of the marinade, and pan-fry for a couple of minutes per side.

It’s a small step. But, oh man! Magical. The crispiness, the chewiness, and the flavor are absolutely amazing!

Personally, I love doing this in a cast-iron skillet. But, any good nonstick pan will do.

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Yes, this vegan tofu bacon is great for making a vegan BLT. But, it’s absolutely perfect when paired with my Tofu Breakfast Scramble or any of my Vegan Pancake recipes.

More Amazing Smoky Vegan Recipes

Vegan Bacon Flavored Hummus
Tempeh Bacon
Chipotle Chickpea Tacos
Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs
Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If you make this recipe let me know. Leave a comment below with a star rating. And, be sure to share a picture onInstagramwith the hashtag#shaneandsimple. Follow me onFacebookor Pinterest& be sure tosubscribe to my newsletter.

Tofu Bacon (The Best Vegan Bacon Recipe)

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4.9 from 24 reviews

This Vegan Tofu Bacon has an amazing salty, sweet smoky flavor. It’s crispy, chewy, and perfect alongside your pancakes or making a vegan BLT.

Author: Shane Martin
Prep Time: 15 mins. (not including marinating time)
Cook Time: 40 mins.
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Bake
Cuisine: Vegan
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

1 16–ounce block super firm tofu. I like Wildwood Organic Super Firm. You can also use a 14-ounce block of extra firm tofu.

Marinade

¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
3 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (make sure it’s vegetarian)
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp smoked paprika or paprika
2 tsp. liquid smoke (optional)
2 tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. black pepper
Pinch of cayenne

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Remove the super firm tofu from the package and pat dry with a paper towel. If you are using regular extra firm tofu be sure and press for at least 20 minutes.
Slice the tofu into ⅛″ rectangles (photos above) and place in a shallow bowl or a conatiner where the tofu will just fit.
Whisk together the marinade in a small bowl and pour over the tofu slices. Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least an hour. But, for maximum flavor overnight is best.
When you’re ready to cook preheat the oven to 375 degress and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the marinated tofu slices evenly on the baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes. Remove and gently flip the tofu, baste with some of the leftover marinade, and bake for 10 more minutes.
Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add several strips of the tofu bacon to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes per side basting with more of the leftover marinade. Repeat until you’ve cooked all the tofu bacon strips.
Serve immediately.

Equipment

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Notes

To reheat simply pop it back in the oven for a few minutes. However, you can wrap this up and set at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 slices
Calories: 83
Sugar: 5.6 g
Sodium: 228.6 mg
Fat: 2.7 g
Carbohydrates: 9.1 g
Fiber: 1.2 g
Protein: 5.9 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

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Tofu Bacon (The Best Vegan Bacon Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

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.

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What is tofu bacon made of? ›

How To Make Vegan Bacon? Slice extra-firm tofu into thin, bacon-sized strips. Marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes or for up to 3 days in the fridge. Pan-fry, air-fry, or bake it.

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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.

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Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Tofu contains these two types of antinutrients: Phytates: These compounds may reduce the absorption of minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron ( 6 ). Trypsin inhibitors: These compounds block trypsin, an enzyme needed for the proper digestion of protein.

Learn More Now ›

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.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the healthiest bacon to eat? ›

Turkey bacon has fewer calories, with 30 calories per thin slice, compared to pork bacon, which has about 43 calories per slice. It's lower in fat, too, – 2.1 grams per slice, compared to pork bacon's 3.1 grams per slice.

Get More Info ›

Does veggie bacon taste like real bacon? ›

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.

What tastes like bacon but no bacon? ›

Use (uncured) salt port or fresh pork belly -- it is bacon with the curing and smoking. As others have mentioned, smoked paprika or smoked salt might be used to replace the smoky flavor.

Learn More Now ›

Why is tofu not frying? ›

You're not pressing out excess moisture.

Before frying, tofu should be pressed to eliminate any excess water. Sometimes, in a hurry to get dinner done, I skip this step. But I always regret it. The still-sort-of-wet tofu never gets as golden brown or as crisp.

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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.

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Does tempeh bacon taste like bacon? ›

Tastes so much like bacon!

Here, a blend of pantry-staple ingredients is used to give you a tangy, sweet, spicy, salty, and smoky marinade. The result? Tempeh bacon with the same rich, smoky flavors as traditional bacon.

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Is vegan bacon high in cholesterol? ›

Let's start with the big one: Vegan Bacon has 0 cholesterol. None, zilch, nada. As we all know by now, too much cholesterol can be terrible for us. While our body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease, which increases your risk of premature death.