Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (2024)

Did you know there are dozens of ways to create delicious vegan ‘bacon’? Like the real thing, vegan bacon is salty and sweet, with a crispy and chewy texture. Using mushrooms, coconut, eggplant, rice paper, nuts, tofu, tempeh and carrots, this creative recipe roundup highlights bloggers who show us how it’s done!

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (1)

Vegan Bacon, Faux Bacon, Fakin’ Bacon. Call it what you want, there are a huge variety of ways to prepare a savory and delicious meatless substitute for cured bacon, an ingredient that seems to now have its own cultish following.

Many people ask, “Why would you want to make fake bacon, or any mock meat/seafood/cheese, if you’re vegan?”

For me, I didn’t stop eating meat, seafood and cheese because I disliked the taste. (You can read more here about my reasons I went vegan on my About page.) Now that I’ve been on my veg journey awhile, I don’t crave meat, but I do find myself desiring some of the texture and familiar flavors of what meat provides. Therefore I do sometimes enjoy creating vegan versions of meats and especially cheeses, to satisfy this part of me. Plus, I find it really fun and creative to experiment with this!

There’s a debate in the vegan world about this topic; some vegans delight in recreating vegan versions of meats and cheeses, while others seem to get offended that people become vegan only to eat faux meat and cheese that emulate animal suffering. I hold the ‘whatever floats your boat’ perspective. If you want to recreate mock meats and cheese, go for it! If you don’t, then don’t – but don’t criticize those who do for being ‘bad vegans’. These alternatives are still plant-based, better for the environment and don’t take animals lives – so what’s the big deal?

Finally, and maybe most importantly, I think mock meats, seafood, cheese and dairy provide a bridge for people into the plant-based world. Let’s face it – the vast majority of us grew up eating meat, seafood and dairy everyday. Changing patterns, traditions and lifestyles is one of the hardest things to do, so I’m all for finding plant solutions that make the transition easier into a more healthy, sustainable and compassionate lifestyle.

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN BACON

There are so many different ways to make vegan bacon! Below is just a sampling of some salivating-worthy recipes using a variety of plant ingredients, from vegetables like eggplant and carrots, to nuts, coconut, tofu, tempeh, mushrooms and rice paper.

Some common ingredients used to emulate the flavor of real bacon are:

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From sandwiches like BLTs, to salad and soup toppers, to vegan ‘egg’ scrambles and quiches, to even making an appearance in desserts like donuts and pudding, vegan bacon can be used just about anywhere! So with that, drumroll please… let’s get into this roundup!

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (17)

RICE PAPER BACON

Vegan Rice Paper Bacon Strips from me, Vegan Chickpea

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (19)

Healthy Broccoli Salad with Vegan Bacon, Apples, Blue Cheese & PecansfromHappy Kitchen Rocks

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (20)

Vegan Bacon Wrapped Mini Breakfast Burritos from Spa Bettie

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (21)

Vegan Goat Cheese Bacon Wrapped Dates from Spa Bettie

MUSHROOM BACON

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (22)

Vegan Shiitake Baconfrom Healthy Happy Life

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (23)

BLT Tacos with Shiitake Bacon from Soup Addict

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (24)

Creamy Onion and Potato Soup with Mushroom Bacon from Blue Raven

COCONUT BACON

Smoky Summer Salad with Coconut Bacon from me, Vegan Chickpea

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (27)

BLT Savory Oatmeal from the Mostly Vegan

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (28)

Vegan Maple Bacon Caramel Corn with Dark Chocolate Drizzle from Fragrant Vanilla

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding with Coconut Bacon from me, Vegan Chickpea

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (30)

Vegan Maple Glazed Bacon Doughnuts from Fragrant Vanilla

VEGETABLE BACON – EGGPLANT & CARROTS

The Vegan (E)BLT: Eggplant Bacon Sandwich from yours truly, Vegan Chickpea

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (33)

Carrot Bacon from Yumsome

NUT BACON – CASHEW & ALMOND

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (34)

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (35)

Chickpea Salad + Cashew Bacon Bits appetizer from Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (36)

White Bean Scramble with Almond Bacon from Rhians Recipes

SOY BACON – TOFU & TEMPEH

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (37)

Easy Tofu Bacon from Eat Within Your Means

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (38)

McDonald’s Vegan Egg McMuffin Sandwich from Vince Lia

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (39)

The Ultimate Tempeh Sandwich from Fork & Beans

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (40)

Tofu Bacon BLTs from Amuse Your Bouche

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (41)

Vegan Tempeh Carbonara from Vegan Heaven

Now, over to you! Do you have a favorite vegan bacon recipe? Which of these are you most eager to try? Let me know in the comments below!

Fakin' Bacon Roundup: The Top Vegan Bacon Recipes! | Vegan Chickpea (2024)

FAQs

What is the best vegetarian substitute for bacon? ›

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.

Does vegan bacon taste like real bacon? ›

Much like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, both of which have produced spot-on imitations of beef, Awesomer gets about as close to real bacon, both in taste and texture, as anything I've tried. So what exactly is this fake bacon made of and is it healthier?

Is vegan bacon healthy? ›

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.

What is the name of the vegan bacon? ›

Brands include Morningstar Farms, LightLife, Quorn, Tofurky, Soy Boy, Sweet Earth, Upton's Naturals, and Hooray Foods.

What do Muslims eat instead of bacon? ›

The most well-liked substitute is typically considered to be turkey bacon. It's lean meat that is ideal for people who prefer meat with less fat.

What tastes like bacon but no bacon? ›

A number of substitutes exist for people who, for ethical, environmental, health, religious, or other reasons, prefer not to eat bacon. The flavor of smoked paprika resembles cooked bacon to some people.

What is the healthiest bacon? ›

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.

What is Morningstar bacon made of? ›

Ingredients: Water, soybean oil, modified corn starch, egg whites, soy flour, wheat gluten, hydrolyzed corn protein, contains 2% or less of vegetable glycerin, salt, soy protein isolate, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, sugar, yeast, caramel color, natural and artificial flavors, monocalcium phosphate, sodium ...

What is the vegetable that tastes like bacon? ›

Seaweed is a vegetable. It is a plant in the ocean. But one seaweed tastes like bacon! The red seaweed is called dulse.

Do Muslims eat vegan bacon? ›

But these fake pork products are not officially halal. They're not certified kosher either. “Impossible Pork and all other plant-based pork products are completely kosher in the spirit of the law,” Koenig explained. “They're made of plants.

What are the cons of vegan meat? ›

As some plant-based meat and mock meat products are created to replicate animal meat, they may undergo more processing. This leads to a high content of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar.

How long does vegan bacon last in the fridge? ›

Other Information. Storage: Keep refrigerated below 5°C. Once opened consume within 48 hours.

What is funny girl vegan bacon? ›

Funny Girl's flagship product, Vegan Maple Buckwheat Bean Bacon, is frozen/refrigerated and hand-crafted in small batches using organic and chemical-free ingredients producing a crispy, tasty, nutritious, and sustainable meat alternative that can be used in the same applications as traditional bacon.

What is the best facon? ›

  • Best vegan bacon for Pasta, salads and omelettes. THIS Isn't Bacon Plant-Based Rashers (120g) £3 at Ocado. ...
  • Best vegan bacon for fry ups. Morrisons V Taste Marinated Bacon (90g) ...
  • Best vegan bacon for salads. Plant Pioneers 8 Smoky vacon rashers (88g) ...
  • Best vegan bacon for soups or casseroles. M&S No Pork Streaky Facon (180g)
Dec 8, 2020

What vegan bacon does Burger King use? ›

The patties are made by Burger King's longtime plant-based supplier The Vegetarian Butcher, the vegan bacon is made by French company La Vie, and the vegan cheese is made by Violife.

What is the healthiest substitute for bacon? ›

Today we are talking about healthy swaps for bacon, so you can eat it every day!
  • Tempeh Bacon. Before you ride off bacon made from soy beans, hear us out. ...
  • Turkey Bacon. This is a slightly healthier option from your average pork bacon. ...
  • Uncured Bacon. If you're buying bacon, always buy it uncured. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Coconut.

What meat is like bacon but not bacon? ›

Because it's not smoked, pancetta has a pure, savory flavor that's reminiscent of bacon but deeper and richer. You can enjoy pancetta raw, although it's usually cooked. Look for thinly-sliced pancetta and use it in place of prosciutto on a charcuterie platter.

How to mimic the taste of bacon? ›

For this recipe, I used a hickory-smoke as it's closest to real bacon flavour. Look for liquid smoke in the condiment section of your grocery store. Maple syrup: Any kind will do. Smoked paprika: This adds another smoky undertone.

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