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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Basics / Shopping / Recipes

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

Basics / Shopping / Recipes

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

Bacon-flavored vegan foods

 

Basics / Shopping / Recipes

3. Vegan bacon recipes

Ready for cooking inspiration? These recipes will surely satisfy you.

Tempeh bacon recipes

  1. Tempeh Bacon
    Elephantastic Vegan
  1. Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon
    The Vegan Larder
  1. Smoky, Sweet Tempeh Bacon
    Watch. Learn. Eat.
  1. Smoky Baked Tempeh Bacon
    Nora Cooks
  1. Smoked Tempeh Bacon
    Eat Plant-Based
  1. Tempeh "Facon" Bacon
    Healthy. Happy. Life
 

Seitan bacon recipes

  1. Smoky Setian Bacon
    Simple Vegan Blog
  1. Smoky Vegan Seitan Bacon
    My Plantiful Cooking
  1. Salty & Sweet Seitan Bacon
    Loving It Vegan
  1. Streaky Bacon
    Avant-Garde Vegan
  1. Maple Seitan Bacon
    Sunnyside Hanne
 

Tofu bacon recipes

  1. Vegan Tofu Bacon
    Vegan on Board
  1. Smoked Tofu Bacon
    Fly Me to the Vegan Buffet
  1. Baked or Fried Tofu Bacon
    The Cheeky Chickpea
  1. Smoky Tofu Bacon
    Yup, It’s Vegan
  1. Vegan Tofu Bacon
    Veganosity
  1. Easy Tofu Bacon
    Nora Cooks
 

Mushroom bacon recipes

  1. Shiitake Mushroom Bacon
    Olives for Dinner
  1. Portobello Mushroom Bacon
    Vegan Heaven
  1. Easy Mushroom Bacon
    Veggies Don't Bite
  1. Crispy Mushroom Bacon
    Minimalist Baker
  1. Mushroom Bacon
    The Hidden Veggies
  1. Vegan Portobello Mushroom Bacon
    Veganosity
 

Vegetable bacon recipes

  1. Carrot Bacon
    Our Plant-Based World
  1. Eggplant Bacon
    Strength & Sunshine
  1. Crispy Eggplant Bacon
    Minimalist Baker
  1. Smoky Carrot Bacon
    My Quiet Kitchen
  1. Carrot Bacon
    Health My Lifestyle
  1. Maple Beet Bacon
    Vegan Start
 

Coconut bacon recipes

  1. Coconut Bacon
    Connoisseurus Veg
  1. Quick & Easy Coconut Bacon
    The Simple Veganista
  1. Easy Coconut Bacon
    Minimalist Bacon
  1. Smoky Coconut Bacon
    Strength & Sunshine
  1. Coconut Bacon (Raw or Baked)
    The Full Helping
  1. Coconut Bacon
    Running on Real Food
 

Rice paper bacon recipes

  1. Rice Paper Bacon
    Vegan Huggs
  1. Easy Rice Paper Bacon
    Plant-Powered Couple
  1. Rice Paper Bacon
    The Hidden Veggies
  1. Double-Layer Rice Paper Bacon
    Spabettie
  1. Rice Paper Bacon
    The Edgy Veg
  1. Rice Paper Bacon
    Yup, it's Vegan
 
 
Vegan Bacon - Shopping Guide, Recipes & More - Your Daily 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.

Photo Credits

Shopping carts / Markus Spiske

Recipe photos courtesy of their authors and used with permission.

Published On: 20 December 2014Last Updated: 5 April 2025

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