Carrot Bacon (Vegan Bacon)

Name: Carrot Bacon - Vegan Bacon
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (I use this brand), optional; 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 2 tablespoons olive oil

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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.

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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.

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.

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