Check out my progress on Did Somebody Say…Bacon?
As I’ve mentioned before, there are several meat and seafood items that rarely or never consumed prior to my transition into vegetarianism 6 years ago. Among these items foreign to my taste buds are crab cakes, scallops, sausage…and bacon. Perhaps due to the eating habits of my relatively health-conscious parents, I simply was never really exposed to bacon as a child. Despite my unfamiliarity with the real thing, I have now become a devotee of tempeh bacon. (If you’re wondering what the heck tempeh is, check out this post). As far as I know, there is currently just one producer of tempeh bacon in today’s market: Lightlife’s Fakin’ Bacon. 
Nutritionally, these strips are far superior than their meat-based counterparts. A single serving of three strips contains 100 kcalories, 3 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, plus 4 grams of fiber. I challenge you to find a pig that can yield bacon with comparable fiber content. However, each serving does contain a hefty sodium price tag–470 mg, likely due to the predominance of soy sauce in the ingredients list.
The flavor of Fakin’ Bacon is a delicious combination of smoky-salty that lends itself well to a multitude of dishes. Here are some of my favorite ways to prepare and enjoy them:
The Elvis: PB, banana, & tempeh bacon
served with homemade whole wheat waffles
as a topper for a layered salad
the magical double decker Club: hummus, organic cheese, mustard, tempeh bacon, lettuce, & tomato
Fakin' Bacon Orange Spinach Salad
Tempeh Hashbrown Casserole (ED&BV)
Asparagus, Bacon, & Walnut Salad
BLT
Pasta with Bacon, Radicchio, & Edamame (Totally Vegetarian)
I also have a few plans for these strips in pizza form, or perhaps combining them with my beloved broccoli:)
I found these strips at my local Whole Foods (both in Birmingham and Durham) for $4.39. Their hefty price tag and sodium content make these strips an occasional treat, but I find them endlessly versatile.
How do you like to eat bacon, vegetarian or not?
PS Keep sending me questions you would like answered in my upcoming Q & A post! Please send them to broccolihut@gmail.com.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Filed under: Feature Post, Product Review
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Love the Elvis creation!
Bacon = I used to love BLTs.
Remember what we talked about with you trying the maple waffles a certain way… remember?!?!??!?!
I don’t really like tempeh, but this flavor just might win me over..
ive never tried veg bacon , but i wana!
Get some Figs and wrap them in bacon. Bake in the oven till the bacon is crispy… like 20mins on 350 (give or take) and enjoy. There is something smokey/salty/sweet that cannot be beaten
I will take that fakin’ bacon any day
I rarely have it, but I’ve been craving some recently weirdly. I really want to try it in peanut butter yogurt for the salty-sweetness of it all. I’ve also been eyeing a candy bar with dark chocolate and bacon. Why does that sound good to me? no idea
The Elvis sandwich looks so GOOD! I must find that tempeh bacon now!
I used to love Bacon Cheeseburgers! That was the only way I would eat bacon.
mmmm…I love fakin bacon. A really good sub shop nearby my home in Maine serves fakin bacon blts on warm french bread with nayonaise. I could eat one of those every day and be satisfied for life. FYI made the cashew butter tofu tonight and it totally rocked my world. Thanks
I do like bacon and I’m not ashamed! A lot of health conscious people are afraid of it, and I went through a phase where I wouldn’t touch it, but I’m so over that fear now! Bacon has so much flavor that you really don’t need that much….just a couple pieces on an avocado sandwich, in scrambled eggs, or wrapped around asparagus. And for a little extra $ you can get all natural bacon without nitrates
Also, in response to Evan above: dark chocolate with bacon is good!!! I got a free sample of it once…don’t know if I would have been brave enough to buy a whole bar without trying it first.
That tempeh bacon does have some pretty impressive nutritional stats, but I keep trying to like tempeh, and it just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe this flavor could change my mind??
Interesting! Have never seen that in the store. Will have to look for that. Loved seeing all the ways you use it. I am a turkey bacon fan. Usually eat it with eggs or in this cabbage side dish I make.
bacon, pb + banana – that is unique! i want to try that – in general, i am actually not much of a bacon person. never loved it.
hmmm…let me think of some good q’s for ya!
Eh, I’m not a bacon fan, but I wonder if I could get my little brother to eat this, muahahaha. I think it’s the texture that gets me. Too crunchy/dry? I don’t know. I have no problem with people who love to eat it, though.
[...] honor of this afternoon’s Fakin’ Bacon post, I made pasta featuring the ingredient of the day. This was definitely a “clean out the [...]
You never fail to come up with the most fabulous combinations
I still have yet to try the “Elvis” but savory-sweet is such a great idea, I’m sure it tastes amazing!
I’m also in awe of the double decker club and see it as a “must make” for lunch at work this week. Genius, Caroline!
I used to love eating bacon with French toast or Belgian waffles as a kid. My dad was a French toast master while my mom was the Belgian waffle queen. It was heaven…oh how I miss home!!
I’ve been meaning to purchase these but the heft price tag is hindering me! But now I just have to try it! The casserole looks especially tasty. I don’t eat pork, so I don’t eat bacon either, but I had turkey bacon before. I don’t really remember if I like it or not =P
Your Elvis sandwich looks crazy tasty!
Great review! I’m not a big bacon fan.. but sometimes fake meats taste even better than real ones!
I FRICKIN <3 Fakin' Bacon. Seriously. I think I could eat the whole package. I checked every health/natural foods store in town all weekend and no one had it. I am contemplating the 40 minute drive to Whole Paycheck tomorrow.
I’ve never liked bacon because it’s too fatty and salty, but I’d like to try this vegan version!
Great use of the Tempeh bacon!
never tried veggie bacon but the real stuff is a tad too salty for me. cant wait to read your Q&A! i will have to come up with a Q
I also love tempeh bacon! It’s so good. I’ve been meaning to try the tempeh bacon recipe in Vegan Brunch for a while. My favorite way to eat it is a nice BLT, just like yours.
Club Sandwiches and BLTs are some of my favorite sandwiches – I need to try some of this tempeh bacon!
What a great post! Thanks so much for your love and support of fakin’ bacon!!
-Rachael
Lightlife Team Member