Charlotte Emily
- Apr 1, 2022

Vegan BLT

I don't know about you, but bacon always seems to be one of the main foods that we miss when we adopt a vegan lifestyle. This recipe for vegan bacon using tofu, means that we don't have to lose something that we enjoyed eating.

This 'bacon' is cut thinly, but as it's made using tofu, you can alter the thickness to your preference. It's full of flavour, crispy and can be enjoyed hot or cold... it's a great substitute for bacon within a meal.

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How can I make the 'bacon' really crispy?

To help add some more 'crispyness' to the tofu, you can add a small amount of oil into the marinade, then spread it onto the tofu slices. Leaving the slices in the oven for a few minutes longer will also add some more 'crispyness' but make sure to keep an eye on them, to make sure they don't burn. Making sure the tofu is sliced thinly will also allow for crispier 'bacon'.

What happens if I cut the tofu thicker?

What's great about using tofu for this 'bacon', is that you can decide on the thickness depending on how you prefer bacon. If you decide to cut it thicker, the 'bacon' slices won't be as crispy than if the slices were thinner and once cooled, it may be slightly chewy.

Can I add more marinade?

Of course, if you would like a stronger flavour you can always add more marinade to the tofu slices. However you may need an extra 10 minutes in the oven, as you will need to flip the slices over again and add another layer of marinade... just make sure that you're keeping an eye on them to make sure they don't burn in the oven.

What if I don't want bread?

This 'bacon' can be eaten hot or cold in a variety of ways. If you don't want bread but would like 'bacon', there are other ways to serve it - how about on a pizza, or in a salad or pasta dish? You could even try it with pancakes and maple syrup!

How do I store this vegan bacon?

This 'bacon' can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week once cooked. If you wanted to prepare this and have it ready to cook for when you want it, you can make up the marinade and slice the tofu ahead of time. In airtight container, place the tofu slices and marinade, allowing the tofu to absorb the marinade until you want to cook it (this will also make the bacon flavour stronger).

What goes into this vegan BLT?

Tofu - this is what makes up the 'bacon' so unflavoured tofu would be best as we add our own marinade to it.
Liquid Smoke - this gives the typical smokey flavour of bacon.
Tamari - by adding a little tamari to the marinade, we add a little saltiness.
Maple Syrup - this adds the sweetness to the marinade, which contrasts against the saltiness from the tamari but works with the smokey flavours.
Smoked Paprika - this will add a little more smokiness along with the liquid smoke, with a boost of additional flavour.
Garlic Granules - garlic goes in everything right? It boosts the flavour and adds depth to the marinade.

I don't know about you, but bacon always seems to be one of the main foods that we miss when we adopt a vegan lifestyle, or just cut out meat from our diet. There are many different ways of making vegan bacon from scratch, depending on how you prefer your bacon - thick or thin and crispy. This recipe uses tofu which makes a thicker bacon; it also means that you can choose the thickness of the slices, so you can get it just as you like it!

Vegan BLT

Preparation Time : 10 minutes

Cooking Time : 20 minutes

Ingredients

– For the 'Bacon' –

450g Tofu
4 tbsp Liquid Smoke
2 tbsp Tamari
2 tbsp Maple Syrup
2 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Garlic Granules

– To Serve –

Bread
Lettuce
Tomato

Method

Preheat the oven to 200C fan and line a tray with baking parchment.
Thinly slice your tofu into your preferred length and set it aside whilst you make your marinade.
In a bowl combine the liquid smoke, tamari, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic granules and mix until it's all combined.
Place your tofu onto your lined baking tray (you may need to make it in a few batches) and spread some of the marinade onto the top of the slices, just enough to coat the surface.
Place the 'bacon' in the oven for 10 minutes. Then take the tray out and turn the slices over. Spread more marinade onto the top of the slices and place back in the oven for a further 10 minutes.
After a total of 20 minutes they should be cooked and slightly crispy, but you can always pop them back in for a few more minutes!
Serve in your sandwich with lettuce and tomato and enjoy!