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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast Meats

    March 23, 2022 33 Comments

    Quick & Easy Vegan Bacon (tofu)

    1.3K shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This quick and easy vegan bacon recipe is crispy, chewy, smoky delicious, and made with just 6 ingredients! Tofu strips are marinated in a salty, sweet, smoky marinade that tastes just like bacon. This tofu bacon can marinate in the fridge for up to 3 days so you can prep this ahead of time, and cook it up fresh. Cook it in your air-fryer, bake it, or pan fry it. Perfect for a stress-free morning. It’s so easy-peasy you’re gonna love it!

    This quick and easy vegan bacon recipe is crispy, chewy, smoky delicious, and made with just 6 ingredients! Tofu strips are marinated in a salty, sweet, smoky marinade that tastes just like bacon. This tofu bacon can marinate in the fridge for up to 3 days so you can prep this ahead of time, and cook it up fresh. Cook it in your air-fryer, bake it, or pan fry it. Perfect for a stress-free morning. It’s so easy-peasy you’re gonna love it!

    I have several vegan bacon recipes on the blog including my famous Banana Peel Bacon, Wheat Starch Bacon, Mushroom Bacon, and Tofu Bacon Bits. I also have a recipes for Rice Paper Bacon and Coconut Bacon in my first cookbook Fuss-Free Vegan! So yeah, I guess I have a thing for making vegan bacon recipes.

    While I love all of those recipes, I was craving a vegan bacon recipe that was even quicker and easier to prepare than any before! So I came up with this recipe for tofu bacon which I love because I can do the prep days in advance and then just cook it up when I'm ready to enjoy it. Leftover cold vegan bacon is really good too, making it great for meal prepping, BUT I warn you, if you leave this vegan bacon sitting out on the counter, it WILL get devoured and you will have to make it over again (good thing it's easy to make)!

    I love enjoying tofu bacon as a side with a hearty vegan breakfast, but you can also use this recipe pretty much anywhere you want smoky saovry tastiness!

    Other ways to serve vegan bacon:

    • in a vegan BLT sandwich
    • on salads
    • on pasta
    • on pizza
    • on a vegan burger
    • on vegan mac & cheese
    • on vegan grilled cheese
    • or anywhere you want to add some smoky vegan bacon!

    This quick and easy vegan bacon recipe is crispy, chewy, smoky delicious, and made with just 6 ingredients! Tofu strips are marinated in a salty, sweet, smoky marinade that tastes just like bacon. This tofu bacon can marinate in the fridge for up to 3 days so you can prep this ahead of time, and cook it up fresh. Cook it in your air-fryer, bake it, or pan fry it. Perfect for a stress-free morning. It’s so easy-peasy you’re gonna love it!

    Common questions:

    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. Easy!

    How long will this vegan bacon last?
    Marinate the bacon for up to 3 days in the fridge. Leftover cooked vegan bacon is also delicious, just allow it to cool and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Can I freeze this vegan bacon?
    Yes! Once the cooked bacon has cooled, put in a freezer-safe container and pop it in the freezer. (I do not recommend freezing the tofu when it is in the marinade, only the fully cooked tofu freezes well for this recipe).

    Slice the tofu in to thin, bacon-sized strips.

    How to make Quick & Easy Vegan Bacon:

    Prep the tofu: drain and cut the tofu into bacon-sized strips. I like to make long skinny strips like in the picture above, but this does make them delicate to work with. If you want the tofu to be a bit easier to handle, cut the tofu into thin strips then cut the strips in half to make shorter pieces of bacon that will be easier to flip without breaking.

    I also tried pressing the tofu first, but I didn't find the end result had much difference so I don't think it is worth the extra time, but if you wish to press the tofu first, you can do so.

    Mix together the salty, sweet, smoky marinade

    Marinate the tofu: In a small bowl mix together the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and liquid smoke.

    Marinate the tofu for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 3 days in the fridge.

    Add the tofu to a sealable container or bag (make sure the container or bag is secure enough that you can flip it upside down without any liquid leaking out). Pour the marinade over the tofu, and gently turn the container or bag to coat the tofu. Let marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 3 days in the fridge. If you are marinating it for a long time, I like to flip the container every now and then to ensure it marinates evenly. The longer you marinate it, the more flavorful it will become.

    Pan-fry the bacon in oil

    Cook the vegan bacon: to cook the vegan bacon you can either pan fry it, air fry it, or bake it.

    Pan-fry method: heat 1 - 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium heat. When hot gently add the marinated tofu slices in a single layer, working in batches. Fry 2 - 4 minutes per side until dark golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side. Cook the tofu on a lower heat and for longer to ensure it gets crispy. Drain on paper towel, the tofu will crisp up and become chewier as it cools. Or you can bake the vegan bacon, or use an air fryer (which is my preferred method)

    Air Fry method (my fave): preheat your air fryer to 400F (200C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a bit of spray oil. Add the tofu slices in a single layer working in batches if needed, and spray the tops with a bit of spray oil. (Omit the oil for oil-free). Air fry for about 6 minutes until the tofu has reduced in size and is golden brown. It will crisp and get chewy as it cools.

    Oven method: preheat your oven to 425F (220C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Lay the tofu in a single layer on the baking sheet, using two baking sheets if needed. Bake for 7 - 12 minutes, keeping a close eye on it until the tofu has reduced in size and is golden brown. It will crisp and get chewy as it cools.

    This quick and easy vegan bacon recipe is crispy, chewy, smoky delicious, and made with just 6 ingredients! Tofu strips are marinated in a salty, sweet, smoky marinade that tastes just like bacon. This tofu bacon can marinate in the fridge for up to 3 days so you can prep this ahead of time, and cook it up fresh. Cook it in your air-fryer, bake it, or pan fry it. Perfect for a stress-free morning. It’s so easy-peasy you’re gonna love it!

    This recipe is...

    • crispy
    • chewy
    • smoky
    • savory
    • easy to make

    What to serve with quick & easy vegan bacon:

    Tofu Scramble Spice Mix (use to make tofu scramble)
    Hashbrown potatoes
    Vegan Egg Yolk
    Vegan Cream Cheese (on a bagel or toast)
    Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Pancakes
    Super Easy Vegan Croissants
    Easy Vegan Carrot Muffins

    If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.

    Bon appetegan!
    Sam Turnbull.

    Print Recipe
    4.92 from 25 votes

    Quick & Easy Vegan Bacon (made with tofu)

    This quick and easy vegan bacon recipe is crispy, chewy, smoky delicious, and made with just 6 ingredients! Tofu strips are marinated in a salty, sweet, smoky marinade that tastes just like bacon. This tofu bacon can marinate in the fridge for up to 3 days so you can prep this ahead of time, and cook it up fresh. Cook it in your air-fryer, bake it, or pan fry it. Perfect for a stress-free morning. It’s so easy-peasy you’re gonna love it!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time6 mins
    Marinating time:15 mins
    Total Time26 mins
    Course : Breakfast
    Cuisine : American
    Servings: 20 - 28 strips of vegan bacon (about 1 lb)
    Author: Sam Turnbull • It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

    Ingredients

    • 6 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if preferred)
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¾ teaspoon liquid smoke
    • 1 (350g/ 12.3oz) block extra-firm tofu drained and sliced into thin strips (see notes)
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Marinate the tofu: In a small bowl mix together the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and liquid smoke. Add the tofu to a sealable container or bag (make sure the container or bag is secure enough that you can flip it upside down without any liquid leaking out). Pour the marinade over the tofu, and gently turn the container or bag to coat the tofu. Let marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 3 days in the fridge. If you are marinating it for a long time, I like to flip the container every now and then to ensure it marinates evenly. The longer you marinate it, the more flavorful it will become.
    • Cook the bacon: to cook the vegan bacon you can either pan fry it, air fry it, or bake it.
      Pan-fry method: heat 1 - 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium heat. When hot gently add the marinated tofu slices in a single layer, working in batches. Fry 2 - 4 minutes per side until dark golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side. Cook the tofu on a lower heat and for longer to ensure it gets crispy. Drain on paper towel, the tofu will crisp up and become chewier as it cools.
      Air Fry method (my fave): preheat your air fryer to 400F (200C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a bit of spray oil. Add the tofu slices in a single layer working in batches if needed, and spray the tops with a bit of spray oil. (Omit the oil for oil-free). Air fry for about 6 minutes until the tofu has reduced in size and is golden brown. It will crisp and get chewy as it cools.
      Oven method: preheat your oven to 425F (220C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Lay the tofu in a single layer on the baking sheet, using two baking sheets if needed. Bake for 7 - 12 minutes, keeping a close eye on it, until the tofu has reduced in size and is golden brown. It will crisp and get chewy as it cools.

    Notes

    Tofu notes: I like to cut the tofu into bacon-sized strips, but this does make them delicate to work with. If you want the tofu to be a bit easier to handle, cut the tofu into thin strips then cut the strips in half to make shorter pieces of bacon that will be easier to flip without breaking.
    I also tried pressing the tofu first, but I didn't find the end result had much difference so I don't think it is worth the extra time, but if you wish to press the tofu first, you can do so.
    Make-ahead/ storage/ freezer: This vegan bacon gets more flavorful the longer it marinates so this is a perfect recipe to prep ahead and have ready to cook fresh in the morning. Leftover cooked vegan bacon is also delicious, just allow it to cool and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or you can freeze it. (I do not recommend freezing the tofu when it is in the marinade, only the fully cooked tofu freezes well for this recipes)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1vegan bacon strip (recipe makes 20 strips) | Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 315mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    More Vegan Bacon Recipes You Might Enjoy...

    « Best Vegan Sandwich Bread
    Vegan Creamy Pancetta & Pea Pasta »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Roberta John says

      January 27, 2023 at 8:27 am

      Love your posts! You are a great inspiration for me - I'm struggling with being vegetarian. I hope to be vegan someday.

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        January 31, 2023 at 4:59 pm

        Aww thank you so much Roberta!

        Reply
    2. Heather says

      January 16, 2023 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I let sliced these into sandwich sized rectangles instead of strips as marinated it for 2 days. Followed the pan-fried method because my air-fryer was occupied with some broccoli. Omg this is a delicious tofu recipe. I put it on toasted bread with vegan mayo, vegan cheese, mustard and spinach. Served half a sandwich to my 8 year old. She scarfed it down and asked for the other half. In her words, “This sandwich is poppin’ with flavor!” Lol I definitely agree! The tofu was the star. Another go to recipe in this house.

      Reply
      • Cheyenne says

        January 28, 2023 at 4:24 pm

        what tofu did you use? I tried pan fry with extra firm from wegmans and it was awful. it just completely crumbled when I tried to do anything and I ended up with mushy pieces.

        Reply
    3. Dee says

      December 28, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      YUM!! Which cooking method is your favorite? Or, what are the differences in taste/texture of each? Can’t wait to try this, just deciding which method to use!!

      Reply
    4. Marie says

      October 11, 2022 at 1:46 pm

      Holy mother of whichever Higher entity you follow. This was by far in the 12 years I've been a vegetarian, the closest tasting thing to bacon I've ever eaten. I will forever be in your debt. Couldn't find liquid smoke in Ireland but found an online store that do it now. I'm after a delicious blt and smacking my lips. I thank you forever!!

      Reply
      • Marie says

        October 11, 2022 at 1:49 pm

        5 stars
        meant to be five stars above but with the excitement my bacon tasting fingers pressed the wrong button

        Reply
        • Sam Turnbull says

          October 21, 2022 at 6:23 pm

          Haha, no problem!

      • Sam Turnbull says

        October 21, 2022 at 6:22 pm

        Haha!! Awesome!! So thrilled you loved it so much Marie!

        Reply
    5. Steve says

      September 10, 2022 at 9:38 am

      Love your site and recipes and have tried many! I followed the directions for the marinade exactly. Put the tofu in a gallon ziplock and let marinate for 2 days, turning occasionally. When I went to take it out and cook it it was pretty much mush. Very difficult to get whole pieces out. Ended up with a bunch of smaller pieces and couldn't use all of the tofu. Baked as directed, let cool. Just tasted like tofu with a hint of soy sauce flavor. 🙁

      Where did I go wrong?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        September 13, 2022 at 3:22 pm

        Hi Steve, it's difficult to tell without being in the kitchen with you... did you use extra-firm tofu (and not firm or medium firm)? Did you measure out all of the ingredients exactly? This is a go to staple in my house so I know that it works wonderfully for us 🙂

        Reply
        • Steve says

          September 17, 2022 at 10:02 am

          Yep, used extra firm tofu and measured every ingredient precisely. I'll give it another try and pay extra-careful attention to everything. I must've missed something. Thanks Sam!

      • Cheyenne says

        January 28, 2023 at 4:27 pm

        3 stars
        Hi Steve! did you ever figure out what you did wrong? I had the same result and was hoping you had the answers

        Reply
        • Steve says

          January 28, 2023 at 4:36 pm

          I haven't tried it a second time yet. But I'm going to.

    6. Cindy says

      August 27, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is delicious. I wanted to eat the entire batch myself. Thank you

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        September 02, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        Haha! Awesome!

        Reply
    7. Nick says

      August 17, 2022 at 2:51 pm

      Hi Sam, not tried this yet as I can’t find liquid smoke locally but if it’s as good as your seitan marinades I’m sure it will be delicious. Any idea what I could substitute for the liquid smoke?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        August 17, 2022 at 3:09 pm

        You can find liquid smoke in the BBQ sauce section of most grocery stores, usually in a small bottle on the top or bottom shelf. You can also order it online. It's a great ingredient to have on hand. Otherwise, you can add more smoked paprika. Hope that helps!

        Reply
      • Heather says

        January 16, 2023 at 1:05 pm

        I find smoked paprika as a good substitute when I’m out of liquid smoke!

        Reply
    8. Wayne says

      August 15, 2022 at 9:47 am

      Thank you, Sam, for another easy and tasty recipe!

      One of the things I like to do with marinades is to prepare larger batches, fill a few ice cube trays, then freeze them and bag them once frozen. This way all that prep-time is managed at once and all that is needed is a minute to thaw the desired amount of frozen marinade and continue with the rest of this wonderful recipe.

      P.S. This marinade also works well with the dried rice paper version of bacon 🙂

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        August 17, 2022 at 3:03 pm

        So happy you enjoyed!!

        Reply
    9. Nicole says

      August 12, 2022 at 11:32 am

      Can I leave out the maple syrup if don't have any? Thank you.
      Nicole

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        August 17, 2022 at 2:55 pm

        Yep, it might just be lacking a bit of sweetness. Enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Cat says

      August 12, 2022 at 11:16 am

      Do I need to flip it them in the airfryer? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        August 17, 2022 at 2:55 pm

        Nope! Enjoy!

        Reply
    11. Claude lynn Leger says

      July 29, 2022 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe. So good.
      To slice the tofu nice and thin I use the mandolin and it works line a charm.

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        July 30, 2022 at 1:18 pm

        Great idea! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Walt says

      April 06, 2022 at 6:33 pm

      Does this recipe crisp the tofu bacon enough to be able to use it, say, as bacon crumbles on a salad?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        April 14, 2022 at 4:57 pm

        It is crispy chewy, so you could chop it up and it would be great on salad! You could also try my tofu bacon bits recipe 🙂

        Reply
    13. Deb Z says

      March 23, 2022 at 11:32 am

      Never mind. Just read you didn't think it made a difference in pressing. Sorry!

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 23, 2022 at 2:37 pm

        Haha! Yep 🙂

        Reply
    14. Deb Z says

      March 23, 2022 at 11:29 am

      Hi Sam! So you don't press the tofu?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        March 23, 2022 at 2:37 pm

        Nope! I tested both pressing and not pressing the tofu and I found the result was the same. 🙂

        Reply

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