13 Vegan Bacon Recipes You Absolutely Need to Try (2024)

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These vegan bacon recipes are going to blow your mind! Who knew you could recreate the delicious flavor of bacon in so many ways? If you miss bacon, you need to try out these recipes!

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“But bacon” is a common response I often hear when people first find out that I’m vegan. Yes, yes, bacon is delicious, I get it. Most people don’t go vegan because they hate the taste of meat.

There’s just something about that crispy, sweet, smoky goodness that makes it so hard to give up. The good news is there are plenty of options to make your own vegan and vegetarian bacon.

There’s always the store-bought route but trust me, you’re going to want to try some of these homemade bacons! It’s actually really easy and more affordable to make your own at home. Plus you can control how sweet or smoky you like it.

There are so many good vegan bacon recipes out there but I rounded up the best ones to share with you here. Work your way through them and let us know in the comments which ones you try!

Veggie Bacon

These faux bacons are made with vegetables as the base. Some vegetables make a great base when sliced thinly. They crisp up nicely and work well with the flavors to make a truly delicious bacon alternative.

Carrot Bacon

Smoky and delicious bacon made from carrots. This recipe is based off the viral TikTok video and will not disappoint! Make vegan bacon in a matter of minutes and serve with breakfast, brunch, or even in a vegan BLT.

Check out this recipe

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Smoky Sweet Vegan Eggplant Bacon

Cook up crispy delicious eggplant bacon strips for your vegan bacon fix. A quick marinade lends a bacon-y flavor to strips of eggplant that actually resemble bacon.

Check out this recipe

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Easy Vegan Mushroom Bacon

This easy vegan mushroom bacon is the answer to bringing amazing flavor to all your meals. Add it to just about anything!

Check out this recipe

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Vegan Zucchini Bacon

This crispy zucchini with a smoky flavor is a great option!Zucchini absorbs flavor well for a truly delicious bacon substitute!

Check out this recipe

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Tofu and Tempeh Bacon

Tofu and tempeh are both soy products that are perfect for making bacon with. They’re best when you want a flat piece of bacon like for a BLT. They both also absorb the flavor well, making them a great bacon substitute.

Tempeh Bacon (Oil Free)

Vegan Tempeh Bacon is quick and easy to make at home. Build a vegan BLT for a delicious lunch or serve it on the side of a tofu scramble for a savory breakfast.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon

This Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon is the perfect addition to your breakfast table. You can also use it to make a sandwich such as a vegan BLT, or chop it up and add it to your salad. This vegan bacon is full of flavor, easy to make and gluten-free! Stovetop and oven methods are also included.

Check out this recipe

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Tofu Bacon

This tofu bacon is salty, smoky, and chewy. Firm tofu works great as a vegan bacon because it soaks up flavor so well and is rich in protein.

Check out this recipe

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Smoked Tempeh Maple Bacon Bits

These vegan bacon bits are made of tempeh and only require 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time. They’re salty, sweet, and smoky – everything bacon bits should be!

Check out this recipe

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This next one is not technically tofu or tempeh but it is made with soy. TVP, or Textured Vegetable Protein, is made from defatted soy flour that has been cooked under pressure and then dried. It makes a great bacon replacement as well!

Vegan Bacon Bits

A little smoky, and a little spicy, these vegan bacon bits made from TVP are an easy and healthy fix for your ‘bacon’ flavor cravings! Super yummy topping for baked potatoes, soups, salads, and more!

Check out this recipe

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Coconut Bacon

Coconut bacon is a great alternative to bacon bits. They already have a touch of sweetness and crisp up easily.

Coconut Bacon

Vegan bacon made from coconut? OH YES! Crispy, smoky, just a tad sweet, and so amazingly delicious, you’ll never miss the real thing!

Check out this recipe

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Almond Bacon

Yep, even nuts can be turned into bacon! And nuts provide a nice crunch.

Almond Bacon

This Almond Bacon is super easy to make, full of flavor and perfect for adding to vegan scrambles for a healthy brunch. It’s also refined sugar free and gluten-free.

Check out this recipe

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Rice Paper Bacon

Rice paper makes a nice neutral based for vegan bacon. It also doesn’t require as much prep as preparing vegetables.

Rice Paper Vegan Bacon

Looking for a healthier alternative to traditional bacon? This Rice Paper Vegan Bacon is crispy, chewy, sweet, salty, smoky, and just as tasty as the original.

Check out this recipe

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Banana Peel Bacon

Banana Peel Bacon

Yes, you read that right, this is banana peel bacon. A vegan bacon recipe made from the banana peels that you would otherwise toss away. Am I crazy? Maybe a little. Does it taste good? Yes, it does. It really, really does!

Check out this recipe

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So which are your favorite fakin bacons? Or facons if you will. Let us know below which ones you try. We make carrot bacon often and even use it in this delicious carrot bacon wrapped apple bites vegan appetizer. Use these veggie bacons just as you would real bacon—the possibilities are endless!

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Rachel

Welcome to HML, I'm Rachel! I'm here to help you transition to a healthy plant-based diet in the easiest way possible. I share simple recipes and tips you can implement today to make it practical and approachable.

13 Vegan Bacon Recipes You Absolutely Need to Try (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan bacon made from? ›

Vegetarian bacon can also be made at home by marinating strips of tempeh or tofu in various flavorings, such as soy sauce or liquid smoke, and then either frying or baking. Aficionados of raw food also use coconut meat as a bacon substitute. Seitan can also be formed into vegetarian bacon.

What is the healthiest fake bacon? ›

1 Lightlife Smart Bacon

Amazing on sandwiches and bagels with avocado, Lightlife's Smart Bacon (voted number one by VegNews readers in the 2024 Veggie Awards) is made from wheat gluten and soy protein, which help give it a chewy texture when fried up in the skillet.

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.

Is lightlife smart bacon healthy? ›

Nutrition Facts

Like the LightLife tempeh strips, these smart bacon strips are made with soy. Unlike real bacon, no nitrates are added. There's actually not much to the ingredients, so it's low in fat and the calories aren't bad per strip. The sodium is even WAY less than real bacon.

Does vegan bacon taste like real bacon? ›

And where can you find it? 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.

Is vegan healthier than meat? ›

Vegetarians and vegans typically have lower body mass index, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure than comparable regular meat-eaters, as well as lower bone mineral density.

What is the healthiest substitute for bacon? ›

10 Healthy Alternatives to Bacon
  • Turkey bacon. This alternative offers a similar smoky flavor and can be cooked to a crispy texture like traditional bacon. ...
  • Tempeh bacon. ...
  • Mushroom bacon. ...
  • Eggplant bacon. ...
  • Coconut bacon. ...
  • Carrot bacon. ...
  • Seitan bacon. ...
  • Chickpea bacon bits.

What tastes like bacon but is vegetarian? ›

If you're looking for an all-veggie bacon substitute, shiitake bacon is the one for you! The mushrooms themselves have a rich umami flavor, so just two ingredients turn them into delectable vegan bacon: tamari and extra-virgin olive oil.

Which is the best meat-free bacon? ›

Vegan Cartel's Vegan Bacon

Vegan Cartel Bacon is great! High in protein and a source of vitamin B12 and iron, these rashers also have a delicious flavour and amazing texture. It has 26% more protein than real bacon and the branding is frickin' awesome.

How long does vegan bacon last in the fridge? ›

Keep refrigerated. Eat within 3 days of opening. Suitable for freezing. Freeze on day of purchase and use within 1 month.

Why you shouldn't eat bacon everyday? ›

A diet high in saturated fat and sodium is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. A daily diet that includes bacon makes it tough to stay within the recommended limits for saturated fat and sodium.

Can I air fry lightlife bacon? ›

To air-fry LightLife Smart Bacon, lightly spray the air fryer basket and add the bacon in an even layer. Air-fry at 375ºF for 3–4 minutes. Flip and air-fry for an additional minute or two until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.

Does lightlife bacon get crispy? ›

Our Smart Bacon® gets nice and crispy when cooked on a skillet so you can enjoy a delicious meal and feel good.

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.

Can you eat vegan bacon raw? ›

A lot of the vegan “meat” is soy or pea-based protein, and you don't want to eat that raw. You probably would not die, but could have several hours of gastric discomfort. Also, if you buy pre-prepped versions you should thoroughly heat them for food safety.

Is plant-based meat healthy? ›

“While we found plant-based meat products were generally healthier than their processed meat equivalents, healthier alternatives would still be lean unprocessed meats and legumes, beans and falafel.”

Is beyond meat really vegan? ›

Beyond Meat® products are for anyone who loves a great tasting burger, whether you're a vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or carnivore. Beyond Meat® builds meat directly from plants so consumers can eat what they love, without compromise.

What are fake bacon bits made of? ›

A blend of textured soy flour, hydrogenated vegetable oil, salt, natural and artificial flavours, vitamins, and minerals that add a hickory smoked bacon taste and texture to a variety of hot and cold dishes.

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