Ultimate Vegan Bacon Guide (Best Brands & Recipes)

If you’re craving that smoky, salty crunch of bacon but want to skip the animal products, you’re in luck. There are so many tasty vegan bacon options out there now—both in stores and in your own kitchen. Whether you want to pile it on a sandwich, crumble it over crisp salad, or enjoy it with morning pancakes, there’s a plant-based version for you. Some are made with soy or wheat, while others use rice paper, mushrooms, or even eggplant to get that crispy, bacon-like bite.

In this mouth-watering guide, we’ll break down some of the most popular vegan bacon brands you can buy, plus a few easy recipes you can try at home. We’ll also give you tips for getting that perfect texture and flavor when making your own. So whether you’re team store-bought or team homemade, get ready to meet your new favorite way to bacon—no animals required.

What You’ll Find in this Plant-Based Bacon Guide

From the meaty texture of seitan bacon to the sweeter flavors of bacon made from carrots, the possibilities are vast and there’s something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll outline some of the best vegan bacon recipes out there: gluten-free recipes, soy-based recipes, soy-free recipes, and much more! 

We’re also including a list of plant-based bacon options that can be purchased at your local supermarket or online in case you just can’t wait to get your vegan bacon fix.

And if you or someone you know are currently trying to give up the meat-based version of bacon but need some extra encouragement, we’d highly recommend checking out this sweet video for some inspiration.

And, if you’re ready to dive in, here is our guide on some of the best vegan bacon recipes and vegan bacon brands you can find. Hope you’re as excited (and hungry) as we are!

Seitan Bacon

• The Herbivorous Butcher
• Upton’s Naturals Bacon Seitan

Tempeh Bacon

• Lightlife
• Tofurky 

Tofu Bacon

The number of things you can make with tofu is truly endless so it should come as no surprise that vegan tofu bacon is an absolute treat. Luckily this recipe from The Cheeky Chickpea has us covered with a totally awesome recipe for the juiciest tofu bacon you could imagine. Made with ingredients such as liquid smoke, balsamic vinegar, tamari, and spices, this recipe only takes a little more than half an hour total to come together.

Tempeh Bacon

What would a guide of vegan bacon recipes be without the coveted tempeh bacon?! Crispy, chewy, and full of flavor, vegan tempeh bacon is one of the most popular meatless bacon options out there. If you’ve ever been hesitant about trying bacon made from fermented soybeans, fear not! This recipe from Happy Kitchen will give you the most delicious tempeh bacon you could ever imagine, full of protein, texture, and flavor. It also lasts up to one month in the fridge (just keep the marinade separate from the tempeh)! Yum!

Seitan Bacon

This awesome seitan bacon recipe from Meesha at My Plantiful Cooking has it all—texture, flavor, and plenty of protein! If you’ve ever wanted to make your own seitan from scratch, this recipe is for you. This vegan seitan bacon will even keep for up to a week in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer!

Eggplant Bacon

This vegan eggplant bacon from our sandwich recipe is perfect for a number of reasons. First, it’s naturally gluten-free. Second, it is ridiculously easy to make. All you need is to slice up some eggplant, brush the slices with a savory sauce mixture, and pop them in the oven. You’ll love how the smokiness of the eggplant comes out and how much better your pasta dishes, burgers, and sandwiches will be with this beautiful aubergine bacon.

Coconut Bacon

Coconut bacon? Why, yes! Coconut flakes actually make a delicious vegan bacon once they’re coated with the proper flavors and baked to perfection. This recipe from Alissa at Connoisseurus Veg checks off all the boxes for easy, simple, quick, and delicious! One of the best things about coconut bacon is its long shelf life! It’ll keep for up to a week tightly covered at room temperature.

Carrot Bacon

It may sound a little strange, but carrot bacon is actually quite delicious! Made with thinly sliced carrots, a variety of spices, maple syrup, soy sauce, nut butter, apple cider vinegar, oil, and liquid smoke. This vegan bacon is not only gluten-free is bursting with flavor. We also love that this recipe is extremely economical and accessible as well. Carrots are very easy to come by and are often quite inexpensive!

​This rice paper bacon from Rabbit and Wolves is crispy, smoky, and totally addictive. It’s baked, not fried, so it’s easy to make and uses less oil. Perfect for topping salads, stuffing sandwiches, or just snacking straight off the tray.

Tempeh Bacon Bits

If you truly want to maximize the vegan bacon in each bite you take, then this awesome recipe for tempeh bacon bits by Home-Cooker Roots are for you! Chunky, deeply flavorful, and rich in golden brown color, you just might find yourself throwing these into all of your favorite lunches and dinners! 

Vegan BLT With Eggplant Bacon

Our recipe for this vegan BLT with eggplant bacon is not only a mouthful of texture but it’s totally gorgeous to boot. Made with smoky eggplant bacon, this sandwich may just become your favorite new thing to have for lunch. This sandwich can easily be made gluten-free and soy-free as well! Just swap out the soy sauce with something soy-free and use your favorite bread alternative.

Bacon Pancakes

Want to make the ultimate breakfast? Then you’ve got to try these vegan bacon pancakes! Imagine the fluffiness of a perfect vegan pancake full of plant-based bacon chunks. What could be better? Ridiculously easy and tasty, these pancakes are a true game-changer. Serve with some tofu scramble for the ultimate brunch!

We hope you’ve found an excited new way to get more vegan bacon into your life through this guide! Whether you’re gluten-free or a true tempeh lover, there’s something for everyone to try.