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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Recipes

    Carrot Bacon (Vegan Bacon)

    Published: Jun 22, 2022 · Last Updated: Nov 9, 2023 by Kyndra Holley

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Carrot Bacon (Vegan Bacon) | Hungry Foodie
    Carrot bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.
    Carrot bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.
    Carrot bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.
    Carrot bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.

    This delicious Carrot Bacon Recipe is the perfect vegan bacon alternative. Thinly sliced strips of carrot, marinated in soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin and cloves. I know that vegan carrot bacon might sound crazy, but just trust me on this one.

    bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.
    Table of Contents show
    Let's Make the Viral TikTok Carrot Bacon (Vegan Bacon)
    Ingredients in Carrot Bacon
    Ingredient Notes
    How to make Vegan Bacon with Carrots
    Step By Step Instructions
    Recipe Tips and Variations
    Frequently Asked Questions
    More Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes
    REVIEW AND FOLLOW
    Carrot Bacon - Vegan Bacon

    Let's Make the Viral TikTok Carrot Bacon (Vegan Bacon)

    If you have spent any time online in the last couple of years, then you no doubt have seen the viral carrot bacon recipe made popular by Tabitha Brown. When I first saw it, I thought there was no way that vegetables could ever taste like bacon, but I am happy to say that I was wrong. I knew I had to put my own spin on this vegetarian, and gluten-free bacon recipe.

    Ingredients in Carrot Bacon

    ingredient laid out to make vegan bacon - carrots, soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, liquid smoke and spices.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Carrots: The carrots are the star of the show with this vegan bacon recipe. Try this Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Pecans and Cranberries.
    • Soy sauce: You can use soy sauce, tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
    • Maple syrup: Maple syrup adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the salty and smoky flavors. You could also use brown sugar or coconut sugar.
    • Liquid smoke: Liquid smoke is used to add a nice smoky flavor as an alternative to the smoked flavor imparted by burning wood.
    • Spices: To really make the carrot have a true bacon flavor, it is seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin and cloves.

    How to make Vegan Bacon with Carrots

    carrots being sliced on a grater with sliced on a wooden cutting board, with a knife.

    Step By Step Instructions

    STEP 1: Trim the ends off the carrots and peel them. Use a mandolin or vegetable peeler to slice the carrots lengthwise (end to end) into long strips. Add the soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, liquid smoke, cumin, and cloves into a small bowl and mix to combine.

    thin slices of carrot strips being marinated in soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, and seasonings.

    STEP 2: Line the carrots slices in a large square shallow container and pour the marinade over top. Make sure that the marinade is equally saturating all of the carrot slices. Let marinade for 15 minutes, up to an hour. 

    thin slices of carrot strips being marinated in soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, and seasonings and then fried.

    STEP 3: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Cook the carrots for 3 minutes on each side, or until they start to turn golden brown and get crispy. Depending on the size pan you are using, you may need to cook the carrots in batches. 

    carrot bacon seasoned and fried, cooling on a wire rack.

    STEP 4: Place a cooking rack on top of a baking sheet and line the cooked carrots in a single layer across the cooling rack. Leave the carrots on the cooling rack until they have dried and crisped up. 

    bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.

    Recipe Tips and Variations

    • Storage: Store leftovers carrot bacon in the refrigerator for up to one week. 
    • Reheating: I recommend reheating this in a pan on the stovetop or in an air fryer. 
    • Make vegan bacon bits: To turn this vegan bacon recipe into vegan bacon bits, simply chop up the thin strips of carrot, marinade, and then quickly fry until crispy.
    • Lower the carbs: To make this lower in carbs, substitute the maple syrup for this keto friendly maple syrup.
    • Serving suggestions: Serve this vegan carrot bacon with anything you would serve regular bacon with - with eggs and hash browns for breakfast, on a blt sandwich, on salad, or any other way you would normally enjoy bacon. It is also perfect for snacking.
    vegan bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you make carrot bacon in the air fryer?

    To make carrot bacon in an air fryer, layer the marinated carrot strips in a single layer in the air fryer tray or basket and cook for 10 minutes at 350°F.

    How do you make carrot bacon in the oven?

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Line the marinated carrots in a single layer across a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

    bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.

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    REVIEW AND FOLLOW

    REVIEW AND FOLLOW: Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and ⭐️ rating below. If you make our recipes and share them, be sure to use our hashtag #hungryfoodie on social! We love seeing what you are making. FOLLOW Hungry Foodie on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for more delicious recipes.

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    Carrot bacon made out of carrots served on a cooling rack and in a metal dish lined with parchment paper.

    Carrot Bacon - Vegan Bacon


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Kyndra Holley
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
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    Description

    This delicious Carrot Bacon Recipe is the perfect vegan bacon alternative. Thinly sliced strips of carrot, marinated in soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin and cloves. I know that vegan carrot bacon might sound crazy, but just trust me on this one. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 large carrots, ends trimmed and peeled
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup (I use this brand)
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke (I use this brand), optional
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

    Instructions

    1. Use a mandolin or peeler to slice the carrots lengthwise (end to end) into long strips. 
    2. Add the soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, liquid smoke (if using), cumin, and cloves into a small bowl and mix to combine.
    3. Line the carrots slices in a large square shallow container and pour the marinade over top. Make sure that the marinade is equally saturating all of the carrot slices. Let marinade for 15 minutes, up to an hour. 
    4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Cook the carrots for 3 minutes on each side, or until they start to turn golden brown and get crispy. Depending on the size pan you are using, you may need to cook the carrots in batches. 
    5. Place a cooking rack on top of a baking sheet and line the cooked carrots in a single layer across the cooling rack. Leave the carrots on the cooling rack until they have dried and crisped up. 

    Notes

    • Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to one week. 
    • Reheating: I recommend reheating this in a pan on the stovetop or in an air fryer. 
    • Make vegan bacon bits: To turn this vegan bacon recipe into vegan bacon bits, simply chop up the strips of carrot, marinade, and then quickly fry until crispy.
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Vegan Recipes
    • Method: Pan-Frying
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Calories: 86

    Follow Me on Instagram @kyndraholley

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    Comments

    1. Paula Hawkins says

      June 23, 2022 at 10:01 am

      I made this today and while I have to admit that I was very skeptical, I also turned out to be so pleasantly surprised. It was delicious. I am not a vegetarian or a vegan, but will definitely be making this again. It is a great way to sneak more vegetables into my diet.

      Reply
    2. Sharon Sager says

      August 27, 2022 at 5:46 am

      Can this be made in a dehydrator ?

      Reply
    3. Beth says

      November 05, 2022 at 10:21 am

      I have tried several carrot bacon recipes. This is by far the best recipe I have found and is now my go to. The only thing I did different was I used maple syrup aged in bourbon barrel.

      Reply

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    Kyndra Holley - International Best Selling Cookbook Author, and the face behind this blog and Peace Love and Low Carb. When I am not hard at work creating recipes and healthy living content, I can be found exploring the world, playing with our 5 crazy pups, hiking, or just kicking back and relaxing with a cup of coffee and a good book.

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