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    Home » Recipes » Tofu

    Modified: May 12, 2023 · Published: Apr 10, 2023 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    The Most Incredible Tofu Bacon

    Jump to Recipe Pin Video

    This Tofu Bacon has the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and salty flavors. It is marinated and then fried or baked. Perfect for sandwiches!

    Tofu Bacon on an open faced sandwich.

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    This Tofu Bacon may not taste like the real thing, but it is really good! It is sweet and smoky.

    Sandwich in between two slices of toast with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and vegan mayo or roasted red pepper tahini spread for a Vegan BLT with Avocado.

    You could also add the marinated baked tofu to a Vegan Monte Cristo or a Vegan Reuben Sandwich. It goes great on salads or added to pasta.

    If you want a recipe for vegan bacon bits, check out my Coconut Bacon recipe or my Almond Bacon recipe. Both are crunchy and taste great on a salad.

    My Soy Curl Jerky recipe can also be used for bacon bits.

    Another tofu recipe to use in a sandwich is my Vegan Deli Meat recipe.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🥡 Storage
    • 🍽 Serving
    • Other Vegan Bacon Recipes
    • 🎥  Video
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • It's savory and smoky, with a hint of sweetness from maple syrup.
    • It's perfect for sandwiches and salads.
    • It's simple and easy to make, and cheaper than store-bought vegan bacon.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Ingredients with labels.
    • Tofu: I used extra firm tofu that is packed in water. It's found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. You could also use firm tofu, but extra firm tofu has less moisture.
    • Tamari: Adds a salty umami flavor. I use low sodium tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium. You could also use low sodium soy sauce.
    • Maple syrup: For a sweet maple flavor. Balances out the other flavors.
    • Liquid smoke: Adds a smoky flavor.
    • Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy sour flavor. You could also use red wine vinegar or rice vinegar.
    • Olive oil: To cook the tofu in. If you bake it, you won't need olive oil. 
    • Paprika: Adds a spicy smoky flavor. You could also use smoked paprika.
    • Salt: Taste the marinade to see if you want salt. The tamari and liquid smoke have a good amount of salt, so you don't need much.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    5 Secrets to Transforming Tofu

    Maple Dijon Baked Tofu Sandwich

    FREE 5 part email series to help you cook tofu like a pro.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Marinade being whisked and sliced tofu added.

    Step 1: Drain and press the tofu for at least 15 to 30 minutes. This gets all the excess moisture out, improves the texture, and helps to hold its shape.

    If you don't have a tofu press, you can place the drained tofu between a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object like a cast iron skillet on top.

    Step 2: Slice tofu ⅛" - ¼"  thick. Marinate the tofu strips in a shallow dish for at least an hour to overnight so that it can absorb the flavors.

    Tofu Bacon in frying pan and on parchment lined baking sheet.

    Step 3: Place the tofu strips in a large skillet and cook on both sides on medium heat for several minutes until crispy. You can also place tofu on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven, flipping halfway through.

    Tofu bacon on an open faced sandwich.

    🥡 Storage

    This vegan tofu bacon recipe will last about 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

    🍽 Serving

    • Sandwiches: Vegan Monte Cristo, Vegan Submarine Sandwich, Vegan Reuben Sandwich
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Salads
    • On veggie burgers
    • With: Vegan French Toast, waffles, Tofu Scramble or a Vegan Tofu Omelette
    • Any place you want to add a savory, smoky taste.

    Other Vegan Bacon Recipes

    • Coconut Bacon
      Coconut Bacon
    • Eggplant Bacon in a frying pan.
      Eggplant Bacon 3 Ways
    • Almond Bacon in a mason jar.
      Almond Bacon

    🎥  Video

    This vegan bacon recipe is sweet and savory. Add it to a sandwich or your favorite dish. It may not taste like bacon, but it does have a smoky flavor that is sure to satisfy.

    If you tried this Tofu Bacon Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    I originally posted this recipe on May 14, 2016. I added new photos, text, and a video when I republished it.

    📋 Recipe

    Tofu bacon on an open faced sandwich.
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    4.84 from 6 votes

    Tofu Bacon

    This Tofu Bacon has the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and salty flavors. It is marinated and then fried or baked. Perfect for sandwiches!
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes minutes
    marinate 1 hour hour
    Total Time 2 hours hours
    Servings 4
    Calories 165kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 15 ounces extra firm tofu drained and pressed
    • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
    • 2 teaspoons paprika
    • ¼ cup low sodium gluten free tamari
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • Salt
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Slice tofu about ¼" - ⅛" thick.  
    • Mix marinade ingredients (except olive oil) in a large shallow container, like a baking dish. Place tofu in the marinade and let sit for at least an hour to overnight. Add salt to taste.
    • For frying: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Place marinated tofu in pan. Spoon some of the marinade on top. Cook both sides until crispy. For baking: Preheat oven to 400°. Place tofu on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cook for 20 minutes, then flip. Cook for another 20 minutes or until crispy on the edges.

    Notes

    This recipe will last about 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 859mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1.7mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results

    More Tofu

    • Spinach and Tofu Ricotta Calzones on a plate with marinara sauce.
      Spinach and Tofu Ricotta Calzones
    • Vegan Calzones on a plate.
      Best Homemade Vegan Calzones
    • Tofu Stuffed Peppers on a plate.
      Tofu Stuffed Peppers
    • Sheet Pan Tofu and Veggies with Peanut Sauce in a bowl with sauce in the background.
      Sheet Pan Tofu and Veggies with Peanut Sauce

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.84 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ian Moffatt says

      September 28, 2018 at 5:22 am

      Was very good - will make again this weekend, with a touch of chilli.

      Just being a bit pedantic here though - your pic shows spinach leaves and not lettuce doesn't it?

      Not a BLT then. BST maybe but not BLT 😉5 stars

      Reply
    2. SKS says

      July 16, 2018 at 4:33 am

      can i freeze the marination if i wanted to make it part of my daily meal for a week ?

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 17, 2018 at 4:05 pm

        I haven't tried freezing it because I eat it up quickly. I read that really salty ingredients don't freeze well, so if you do try it I would try it with the low sodium tamari.

        Reply
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