This vegan tofu bacon is the best alternative to the real deal! It’s meaty, smoky, chewy, crispy around the edges, and slightly sweet. Thinly sliced and delicious, these salty little strips make the perfect BLT, breakfast side, or burger addition. Warning: They’re highly addictive and disappear fast!
Ingredients for Vegan Bacon
We love this sweet and salty masterpiece because not only is it easy and delicious, but we almost always have the ingredients to make it on hand. Here’s what you need:
- Tofu – Make sure to use super firm tofu – Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Whole Foods all carry this type.
- Soy Sauce or Tamari – Try to find a good quality brand and preferably not reduced-sodium varieties.
- Oil – Vegetable, coconut, or olive oil. If using coconut oil, make sure it’s refined, so there’s no coconut flavor. Warm it up in the microwave quickly to melt into liquid form.
- Maple Syrup – For sweetness
- Light Brown Sugar – It helps to thicken the marinade to stick to the tofu better and adds a touch more sweetness and caramelization.
- Nutritional Yeast – For umami flavor and also helps to thicken the marinade.
- BBQ Sauce – For flavor and smokiness. Use your favorite brand. Just ensure it’s vegan!
- Liquid Smoke – For that classic smoky bacon taste. Liquid smoke comes in mesquite and hickory flavors and is usually found in the condiment aisle at your local grocery store. Alternatively, you could use a teaspoon or two of smoked paprika.
- Onion Powder – Helps to add flavor. You could swap this for garlic powder instead.
- Salt & Pepper – C’mon, all good bacon is salty, which is probably why most people love it so much. Make sure to adjust the amount depending on preference, though, as soy sauce and tamari usually contain a lot of sodium already.
- Optional – Sriracha or Ground Cayenne Pepper – Add for some heat if desired!
How to Make Tofu Bacon
You’d be surprised at how much this seasoned tofu resembles the flavor of bacon. Plus, it’s a lot healthier and cruelty-free!
Prepping The Tofu
Start by pressing your extra-firm tofu. Wrap the tofu block in a kitchen towel and place a 3-5 pound weighted object on top. Let the excess water drain for about 20 minutes. Or, if you have time, I like to take the tofu out of the package, wrap it in a paper towel, and let it sit in the fridge overnight to dry out.
Slice tofu into super thin pieces using a mandolin. My mandolin has three settings; thin, medium, and thick. I use the thin setting. Slice the tofu block against the longest edge so that slices are rectangular in shape.
The tofu pieces will be somewhat fragile, so handle with care. When they’re super thin, they quickly soak up all the marinade and bake to perfection!
If you don’t have a mandolin, do your best to slice it as thin as possible! If your tofu pieces are more on the medium-thickness side, bake for a longer time (around 15 minutes) at 375° instead of 350°.
Baking the Tofu
Make the tofu marinade by whisking all of the ingredients together.
Spray a large baking pan with cooking oil. Place sliced tofu pieces on the baking pan and generously brush with marinade. Carefully flip over and brush the other side with the rest of the marinade.
Transfer to the oven and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until desired crispiness. Watch closely as it can burn easily. You want nice crisp edges, with a bit of charring, but not burnt dried-up pieces.
Remove from the oven and let your bacon rest for a few minutes before consuming as they will continue to firm up on the hot pan.
I like to briefly fry in a saucepan over low heat right before serving to crisp it up again!
Ideas for Your Vegan Bacon Alternative
There are so many ways to use this amazing tofu bacon. We love having this in the fridge for an easy grab-n-go snack or for an addition to our sandwiches, soups, and salads. Here are a few ideas:
- Vegan breakfast sandwich (see picture above)
- BLT – yum, add avocado or use pesto aioli!
- Chop or crumble it on top of soup or chowder
- Add it to salads
- Enjoy it as a breakfast side with your favorite pancakes
- Add it to pasta
- Bacon avocado toast
- Make a baked potato bar – vegan bacon, cheese, sour cream, broccoli, chives
- Stuff it inside of an omelet using Just Plant-Based Scramble
- Stir it into mac & cheese
- Add some to your favorite vegetable dishes like Brussels sprouts or asparagus
- Use it as a pizza topper. This Elote Pizza with Tofu Bacon and Cilantro-Lime Aioli is one of our favorites.
- Make a delicious French Toast BLT with Maple Aioli (see picture below)
There’s really no compromise when it comes to vegan cooking. It’s better for us, for the animals, and for our environment, so make this cruelty-free bacon and share it with someone you love – whether they’re vegan or not!
If you make this recipe, let me know! Please leave a comment, rate it (once you’ve tried it), and be sure to tag me. And, make sure to follow MNVegHead on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Lots of love, Allison
More Recipes
Summer Corn Elote-Inspired Pizza with Cilantro Aioli
Vegan French Toast BLT with Maple Aioli
Tater Tot Hotdish with Bac’n Bits
Easy Vegan Tofu Bacon
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Super Firm Tofu Pressed to Release Excess Water
- ¼ Cup Soy Sauce or Tamari
- 2 tablespoon BBQ Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Oil Vegetable, Olive, or Melted, Refined Coconut Oil
- 2 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Light Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Liquid Smoke
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ Tsp Each: Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Slice tofu into super-thin strips using a mandolin. I have three settings on mine: thin, medium, and thick. I use the thin setting. The tofu pieces will be somewhat fragile, so handle with care. If you don't have a mandolin, do your best to slice as thin as possible!
- Spray a large baking sheet with cooking oil and arrange sliced tofu in rows.
- Make the marinade by whisking all of the ingredients together.
- Generously brush the tofu with marinade. Flip over and coat the other side with the remaining marinade.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Let the tofu soak in all of the marinade while your oven is warming up.
- Bake thin tofu for 5-7 minutes, or until desired crispiness. If tofu slices are thicker, bake for 12-15 minutes at 375°F.
- Remove from the oven and let your bacon rest for 10 minutes before consuming as they will continue to firm up on the hot pan. I like to briefly fry leftovers in a saucepan over low heat right before serving to crisp it up again!
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