Vegan Carrot Bacon

Garlicky, smoky, and so simple to make – vegan carrot bacon is an addictive, good snack that is packed with flavor! Carrot bacon is great for a snack, breakfast, or in sandwiches, wraps and salads – it is good and easy to bake with simple ingredients.

At Avdaye, we add lots of tips in all of our recipes – because we are a home cook without any formal training, and we find we are more confident making dishes when we understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. Our goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

Good Carrot Bacon

Don't let the name fool you – this good recipe is a great snack that is full of flavor with simple, fresh ingredients. It isn't an exact match for bacon – but is a good, smoky, crunchy, flavorful treat that everyone enjoys!

If you're looking for a good, easy snack that has a great, salty kick but won't break the calorie bank, or your vegan eating plan, these baked carrot strips are for you!

We're soaking carrots in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, and herbs, to bring out rich, good flavors that make a solid easy snack.

While the name is a bit of a misnomer – this “bacon” doesn't replace meat, at least for us, it IS totally good and addictive, and is a nice change-up for when you're making lighter dishes and don't want to use turkey or soy bacon.

We personally think the flavor of carrot bacon works much better than a lot of other bacon substitutes – and we love that it is from carrots, unprocessed, and we can change up our herbs depending on whatever flavor we are going for.

You can make this smoky with liquid smoke, or go smokeless – it is all up to you!

How To Make Carrot Bacon

First assemble the following ingredients:

• Carrots (2 cups) – Carrots, thinly sliced, serve as the base for vegan bacon, providing a natural sweetness and the solid texture when baked or fried.
• Soy sauce (3 tbsp) – Soy sauce imbues the carrot slices with a deep umami flavor, mimicking the savory aspect of traditional bacon.
• Olive oil (2 tbsp) – Olive oil helps in marinating the carrot slices, ensuring they crisp up nicely while retaining moisture during cooking.
• Maple syrup (½ tbsp) – Maple syrup adds a hint of natural sweetness to the marinade, balancing the savory and smoky flavors with its subtle, woody notes.
• Paprika (¼ tsp) – Paprika lends a smoky undertone and a vibrant color to the carrot bacon, enhancing its bacon-like appearance and taste.
• Garlic powder (½ tbsp) – Garlic powder contributes a mild, savory depth to the seasoning, adding complexity to the carrot bacon's flavor profile.
• Liquid smoke (2-3 drops) – Liquid smoke is the key ingredient that gives carrot bacon its signature smoky aroma and taste, closely mimicking the essence of real bacon. Suited to vegan carrot bacon!

Use this Method

Prep. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Grab your carrots and start thinly slicing them.

Assemble. Add sliced carrots to a mixing bowl, then add the soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, paprika, garlic powder, and liquid smoke. Let marinate for 15 minutes.

Bake. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and then place carrots on the sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on how thick the carrots are.

Enjoy. Let cool for about 5 minutes then enjoy!

Kitchen notes

Slice Thinly: Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice the carrots as thinly as possible for the best bacon-like texture.

Marinate Well: Allow the carrot slices to marinate in the seasoning mix for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge, to deepen the flavors.

Adjust Seasonings: Taste the marinade before adding the carrot slices and adjust the seasonings to your preference, adding more maple syrup for sweetness or liquid smoke for smokiness as needed.

Bake Slowly: Bake the carrot bacon at a lower temperature to dehydrate the slices slowly, which helps achieve a crispy texture without burning.

Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the carrot bacon slices.

Watch Closely: Keep a close eye on the carrot bacon while it cooks, as it can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly due to its thinness.

Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add other spices or seasonings like smoked paprika, cumin, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra flavor.

Store Properly: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or a pan to crisp up before serving.

Pan Fry for Extra Crisp: For an even crispier texture, pan-fry the marinated carrot slices in a bit of oil over medium heat until they're crispy.

Use Quality Liquid Smoke: The brand and quality of liquid smoke can vary greatly, so choose one that has good reviews for a more authentic smoky flavor.

A few answers

Can we make carrot bacon soy free or keto?

Carrot bacon can be made soy free – or keto – by using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Do we have to use liquid smoke for carrot bacon?

Carrot bacon tastes more bacon-like with liquid smoke, but some people don't like the flavor and after-taste of liquid smoke. You can skip it if you like, and the flavor is still good!

What temperature do you cook carrot bacon at?

Bake carrot bacon at 400 degrees.

How long does Vegan carrot bacon cook?

Carrot bacon will take about 8-10 minutes to crisp and brown, depending on the size of your carrots and how thick they are sliced.

What to Enjoy with Vegan Carrot Bacon

Vegan BLTs: Layer carrot bacon on toasted bread with lettuce, tomato, and vegan mayo for a plant-based BLT sandwich.

Breakfast Scrambles: Toss carrot bacon into tofu scrambles or vegan omelets for a smoky flavor boost.

Avocado Toast: Top creamy avocado toast with crispy carrot bacon for a good contrast in textures.

Salads: Crumble carrot bacon over fresh green salads or Caesar salads for added crunch and flavor.

Loaded Baked Potatoes: Garnish baked potatoes with carrot bacon, vegan sour cream, chives, and shredded vegan cheese.

Soup Toppings: Add carrot bacon bits as a smoky, crunchy topping for soups, especially creamy ones like potato or pumpkin soup.

Pasta Dishes: Incorporate carrot bacon into creamy vegan pasta dishes for a burst of savory flavor.

Veggie Burgers: Use carrot bacon as a topping on veggie burgers, along with your favorite fixings, for an extra layer of taste.

Breakfast Burritos: Fill vegan breakfast burritos with scrambled tofu, veggies, avocado, and carrot bacon for a hearty meal.

Charcuterie Boards: Include carrot bacon on vegan charcuterie boards alongside vegan cheeses, fruits, nuts, and crackers.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups carrots, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce, swap for coconut aminos for keto
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tbsp maple syrup, omit for keto
• ¼ tsp paprika
• ½ tbsp garlic powder
• 2-3 drops liquid smoke

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Grab your carrots and start thinly slicing them.
2. Add sliced carrots to a mixing bowl, then add the soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, paprika, garlic powder, and liquid smoke. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and then place carrots on the sheet.
4. Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on how thick the carrots are.
5. Let cool for about 5 minutes then enjoy!