Good news, vegan bacon exists
Bacon, It's the crispy, smoky, salty siren song that has lured many taste buds into obsession. But here's a little plant-powered secret: You don't need animal products to enjoy that same addictive flavor and satisfying crunch.
Enter vegan bacon.
Going vegan doesn't mean leaving behind everything you love—it just means upgrading to better versions. And when it comes to bacon, there's no shortage of options.
This guide has everything you need: a brand guide to help you navigate the store shelves and mouthwatering recipes for making your own.
So, whether you're frying, baking, or air-frying, let's get sizzling.
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1. Basics
If you're new to plant bacon, start here.
It's made from various foods
Plant bacon isn't just one food; it's a whole wide world of crispy, smoky possibilities.
Depending on the brand or recipe, anyone can craft bacon from tofu, seitan, tempeh, mushrooms, rice paper, coconut, or even beets. Basically, if it can hold seasoning and crisp up in a pan, someone's probably turned it into bacon.
And before you ask—yes, it actually tastes good.
What does it taste like?
While each type has its own personality (some are chewier, some shatter like the kind made from animals), the key flavors are always there: smoky, salty, slightly sweet, and deeply satisfying.
In other words, it tastes like bacon should—just without the questionable backstory.
Grocery carts at the market / Source
2. Shopping guide
Here’s what you need to know before you head to the store.
Find vegan bacon in stores
Not long ago, plant bacon was a rare find, tucked away in the shadowy corners of health food stores like some secret society snack. Now? It’s practically mainstream, showing up in grocery stores big and small, with brands offering everything from smoky and sweet to thick-cut and maple-glazed.
You’ll usually find these sizzling plant powered contenders in the refrigerated section alongside other plant meats, often hanging out near the tofu. But don’t stop there—some are stashed in the freezer aisle, waiting for their moment to crisp up in your pan.
And if all else fails, ask an employee where they keep the good stuff.
Vegan bacon brands
- Richmond Sausages (UK)
- This (UK)
Bacon-flavored vegan foods
3. Vegan bacon recipes
Ready for cooking inspiration? These recipes will surely satisfy you.
Tempeh bacon from Elephantastic Vegan
Air fryer tempeh bacon from The Vegan Larder
Air fryer tempeh bacon from Watch. Learn. Eat.
Baked tempeh bacon from Nora Cooks
Smoked tempeh bacon from Eat Plant-based
Tempeh facon bacon from Healthy Happy Life
Tempeh bacon recipes
- Tempeh Bacon
Elephantastic Vegan
- Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon
The Vegan Larder
- Smoky, Sweet Tempeh Bacon
Watch. Learn. Eat.
- Smoky Baked Tempeh Bacon
Nora Cooks
- Smoked Tempeh Bacon
Eat Plant-Based
- Tempeh "Facon" Bacon
Healthy. Happy. Life
Seitan bacon from Simple Vegan Blog
Smoky seitan bacon from My Plantiful Cooking
Salty & sweet seitan bacon from Loving it Vegan
Steaky bacon from Avant-Garde Vegan
Smokey maple seitan bacon from Sunnyside Hanne
Seitan bacon recipes
- Smoky Setian Bacon
Simple Vegan Blog
- Smoky Vegan Seitan Bacon
My Plantiful Cooking
- Salty & Sweet Seitan Bacon
Loving It Vegan
- Streaky Bacon
Avant-Garde Vegan
- Maple Seitan Bacon
Sunnyside Hanne
Vegan tofu bacon from Vegan on Board
Smoked tofu BLT from Fly Me to the Vegan Buffet
Baked or fried tofu bacon from The Cheeky Chickpea
Smoky tofu bacon from Yup, it's Vegan
Vegan tofu bacon from Veganosity
Easy tofu bacon from Nora Cooks
Tofu bacon recipes
- Vegan Tofu Bacon
Vegan on Board
- Smoked Tofu Bacon
Fly Me to the Vegan Buffet
- Baked or Fried Tofu Bacon
The Cheeky Chickpea
Shiitake mushroom bacon from Olives for Dinner
Portobello mushroom bacon from Vegan Heaven
Easy vegan mushroom bacon from Veggies Don't Bite
Crispy vegan mushroom bacon from Minimalist Baker
Mushroom bacon from The Hidden Veggies
Portobello vegan mushroom bacon from Veganosity
Mushroom bacon recipes
- Shiitake Mushroom Bacon
Olives for Dinner
- Portobello Mushroom Bacon
Vegan Heaven
- Easy Mushroom Bacon
Veggies Don't Bite
- Crispy Mushroom Bacon
Minimalist Baker
- Mushroom Bacon
The Hidden Veggies
- Vegan Portobello Mushroom Bacon
Veganosity
Carrot bacon from Our Plant-based World
Eggplant bacon from Strength & Sunshine
Crispy eggplant bacon from Minimalist Baker
Carrot bacon from My Quiet Kitchen
Carrot bacon from Health My Lifestyle
Crispy beet bacon from VeganStart
Vegetable bacon recipes
- Carrot Bacon
Our Plant-Based World
- Eggplant Bacon
Strength & Sunshine
- Crispy Eggplant Bacon
Minimalist Baker
Coconut Bacon from Connoisseurus Veg
Quick & easy coconut bacon from The Simple Veganista
Easy coconut bacon from Minimalist Baker
Coconut bacon from Strength & Sunshine
Raw or baked coconut bacon from The Full Helping
Coconut bacon from Running on Real Food
Coconut bacon recipes
- Coconut Bacon
Connoisseurus Veg
- Quick & Easy Coconut Bacon
The Simple Veganista
- Easy Coconut Bacon
Minimalist Bacon
- Smoky Coconut Bacon
Strength & Sunshine
- Coconut Bacon (Raw or Baked)
The Full Helping
- Coconut Bacon
Running on Real Food
Rice Paper Bacon from Vegan Huggs
Easy rice paper bacon from Plant-Powered Couple
Rice paper bacon from The Hidden Veggies
Rice paper bacon from Spabettie
Rice paper bacon recipe from The Edgy Veg
Rice paper bacon from Yup, it's Vegan
Rice paper bacon recipes
- Rice Paper Bacon
Vegan Huggs
- Easy Rice Paper Bacon
Plant-Powered Couple
- Rice Paper Bacon
The Hidden Veggies
- Double-Layer Rice Paper Bacon
Spabettie
- Rice Paper Bacon
The Edgy Veg
- Rice Paper Bacon
Yup, it's Vegan
Truth in advertising
This guide is created with a commitment to accuracy and transparency for the vegan community. It is based on extensively researched sources to ensure reliable and ethical recommendations.
If you spot an error, please reach out.
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