Smoky Tofu Vegan Bacon Recipe

March 27, 2026

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Created On: March 25, 2026 &nbsp| Up to date: March 25, 2026 | Depart a remark

My straightforward Vegan Bacon Recipe is made utilizing tofu and a do-it-yourself candy and smoky marinade. Let sit in a single day, or for just some hours, after which crisp it up in a pan, or the oven, with oil. This plant based mostly bacon has nice style and texture and may be substituted for normal bacon in most recipes. I really like having fun with it for breakfast with scrambled eggs, including it to sandwiches and salads or simply snacking on it all through the day.

Bacon is a type of meals that I cherished a lot as a child and at instances, I assumed can be the explanation I couldn’t go vegetarian. Quick ahead a few years later, and I’m lastly sharing the recipe for the Smoky Tofu Vegan Bacon I’ve been making for years. It’s filled with taste, has a crispy exterior and can be utilized in all of the methods you’ll use common bacon. I hope you take pleasure in this recipe as a lot as I do.

Why You’ll Love This Plant Primarily based Bacon Recipe

Straightforward to make – My tofu bacon recipe is absolutely fast and straightforward to organize and cook dinner. It solely takes about 5 minutes to slice up the tofu and blend it into the smoky marinade. Let the marinade do it’s work, for a couple of hours or in a single day, and then you definitely solely want about 5-10 additional minutes to crisp it up in a pan.
Full of taste – The easy marinade is made utilizing pantry elements, like tamari, toasted sesame oil and smoked paprika. There are only some elements wanted, however each packs tons of taste. I wish to marinate in a single day for optimum taste.
Versatile – This vegan bacon recipe is tremendous versatile. It may be utilized in nearly any means you’ll use common bacon. Take pleasure in it for breakfast, add it to sandwiches and salads, or chop it up and blend it pasta or beans.

Meat-Free Bacon Recipe Ideas

Use tremendous agency tofu – I just about at all times use tremendous agency tofu in my recipes lately. It comes pre-pressed which saves numerous time and has nice texture that holds up nicely to the marinating and cooking of this “bacon” recipe. When you can’t discover tremendous agency tofu, I might advocate utilizing additional agency tofu and urgent as a lot liquid out of it as you’ll be able to.
Give the tofu time to marinate – You’ll be able to simply marinate the tofu for about an hour and it’ll have a pleasant smoky style, however should you let it sit in a single day, the flavors actually soak into the tofu and make it style nice.
Crisp up the bacon by dredging in cornstarch – You’ll be able to pull the tofu out of the marinade and place it straight into the pan like that, or you’ll be able to dredge it in some corn starch, or flour, earlier than including it to the oil. It will create a pleasant crispy crust that I really like and provides me actual bacon vibes.

Smoky Tofu Bacon Recipe Substances

Tofu – I like to make use of tremendous agency tofu for this recipe. I don’t must press it and it has nice texture, so it’s often my go-to. I get mine at Dealer Joe’s, however I’ve been it at common grocery shops too. When you can’t discover tremendous agency, I might advocate utilizing additional agency and ensuring to press as a lot liquid out of it as you’ll be able to.
Tamari – Tamari or soy sauce can be utilized within the marinade. I choose to make use of tamari as a result of it’s a little thicker and has a higher depth of taste than soy sauce. Whether or not I’m utilizing soy sauce or tamari, I choose to get the low sodium model.
Smoked Paprika – Smoked paprika is a spice that you need to be capable to get at most grocery shops lately. It appears like common paprika, however has a very nice smoky style to it. I really like utilizing it along with liquid smoke on this recipe.
Maple Syrup – I take advantage of pure maple syrup for this recipe, not the pancake syrup. It provides sweetness and stickiness to the tofu bacon. Honey may also be used, however I discover that it has a stronger taste that I don’t love on this particular recipe.
Liquid Smoke – Though I do add smoked paprika, I additionally like so as to add a couple of drops of liquid smoke. It simply actually like the way it reinforces the smoky taste.
Toasted Sesame Oil – I solely add 1/4 teaspoon of sesame oil, nevertheless it provides a pleasant toasty taste.
Garlic + Onion – I additionally like so as to add just a bit little bit of garlic and onion powder for additional taste.
Cornstarch – This ingredient is optionally available, however I wish to dredge the marinated tofu slices in just a little little bit of cornstarch earlier than including them to the pan. This enables for a crunchy crust to type on the surface. You might additionally use common flour should you like.

How To Make Vegan Bacon At House

Press any additional liquid out of the tofu, if wanted, after which reduce it into skinny slices. You can also make them no matter dimension or form you favor. I often simply reduce mine from the shorter aspect of the tofu and make the slices 1/4 inch thick. I get about 16 slices. You can also make them thinner should you choose although.
Add all of the marinade elements to a ziplock bag, or container, and blend collectively nicely. Then add within the sliced tofu. Rigorously transfer the tofu round, so that every piece is roofed within the marinade. Place within the fridge and let sit for not less than an hour, or as much as 48 hours. As soon as prepared to make use of the tofu, take away every slice and save the remainder of the marinade for cooking.
Pour about 1/2 cup of cornstarch, or flour, right into a shallow bowl. Dredge every slice of tofu within the cornstarch, simply till either side are frivolously coated. You should utilize your finger to scrape off any additional.
Warmth a big pan over medium warmth and add in 2 tablespoons of oil. I used canola oil, however olive oil may even work. As soon as oil is sizzling, fastidiously place every slice of tofu within the pan. You need them in a single layer, so you’ll most likely must cook dinner the tofu in a number of batches. Cook dinner tofu bacon till you can begin to see the perimeters get crispy, about 2 minutes. Rigorously flip every slice over after which on prime of every slice you’ll be able to drizzle a spoonful or two of the leftover marinade.
As soon as either side of the tofu are golden brown and crispy, you’ll be able to switch it to a wire rack, or a plate. Sprinkle just a little salt on the highest of every one (optionally available) and luxuriate in any means you’ll take pleasure in common bacon. Retailer in an air-tight container within the fridge for 4-5 days.

Recipe Regularly Requested Questions

This recipe is already vegan.
Make this recipe gluten free through the use of an authorized gluten free soy sauce, or tamari.
Can tempeh be substituted for the tofu? Sure, you should use tempeh as an alternative of tofu for this vegan bacon recipe. I might counsel to thinly slice it and you may even give it a fast steam earlier than putting it within the marinade, in order that it soaks up the flavour higher.
How ought to this tofu bacon be used? You should utilize this tofu bacon is sort of any means you’ll use common bacon. I particularly take pleasure in consuming it for breakfast with a aspect of scrambled eggs, or including it to sandwiches, salads, wraps and even soups.
How lengthy does leftover bacon final for? If saved within the fridge, in an air-tight container, leftovers ought to final about 5 days.
How ought to tofu bacon be re-heated? You’ll be able to re-heat within the microwave, on a sheet pan within the oven, or on the stovetop in a pan with just a little additional oil.

Have a query I didn’t reply? Ask me within the remark part beneath and I’ll get again to you ASAP!

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