Name: Vegan Bacon
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces firm or extra firm tofu; 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (low sodium preferred); 2 tablespoons smoked shoyu (or regular soy sauce with 2 drops liquid smoke); 3 tablespoons maple syrup; 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 0.5 teaspoon black pepper; 0.125 teaspoon chipotle powder (or canned in adobo sauce); 1 tablespoons coconut oil (or other oil suitable for medium-high heat)

How to Make the Best Vegan Bacon

If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative that delivers on that smoky, savory flavor you crave, this vegan bacon made from tofu is a game-changer. The secret is in the marinade—a combination of smoked shoyu, maple syrup, and aromatic spices that transforms plain tofu into crispy, chewy strips of pure deliciousness.

What makes this recipe special is the two-step cooking process. First, the tofu bakes in the oven, soaking up all those incredible flavors while developing a slightly chewy texture. Then, a quick trip to the hot skillet gives each piece that irresistible crispy edge that makes bacon so addictive. The result is a versatile plant-based protein that works beautifully in breakfast plates, BLT sandwiches, buddha bowls, or crumbled over salads.

With just 93 calories per serving and plenty of protein, this vegan bacon lets you enjoy all the satisfaction of traditional bacon without any of the guilt. Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy it all week long—it reheats beautifully in a skillet for that fresh-from-the-pan crispiness.

Vegan Bacon

This smoky, crispy Vegan Bacon is made with tofu and is perfectly chewy and savory. A delicious plant-based protein, perfect for breakfast, BLTs, wraps, sandwiches, pasta, and buddha bowls.

4.7 from 156 votes

CourseVegan

CuisineAmerican

Keywordvegan bacon, vegan bacon recipe, tofu bacon, tofu bacon recipe

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Total Time60 mins

Servings8 servings

Calories93kcal

AuthorChristina Hill

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Ingredients

Tofu Bacon

16 ounces firm or extra firm tofu
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (low sodium preferred)
2 tablespoons smoked shoyu (or regular soy sauce with 2 drops liquid smoke)
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.125 teaspoon chipotle powder (or canned in adobo sauce)
1 tablespoons coconut oil (or other oil suitable for medium-high heat)

Instructions

Baking the Tofu

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Drain and slice tofu 1/8 inch thick. Leave in slabs or cut into 1-inch strips. 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.
Remove tofu from oven and carefully flip with a metal spatula. Baste with the remaining marinade. Bake 15 minutes more.
Let cool for 15 minutes (or refrigerate until ready to use).

Crisping the Bacon

Heat a skillet and fry tofu over medium heat until crisp, 1-2 minutes per side.

Notes

For extra crispy bacon, bake a few minutes longer and press firmly on the skillet while frying.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and re-crisped in a skillet.

Vegan Bacon Recipe