Carrot Bacon

Plant-based cooking allows you to transform traditional vegetables into works of art. Take this carrot bacon, for example. We slice the root vegetable into thin strips, then fry it until it becomes golden and crispy. You don’t have to be a vegetarian or a vegan to savor this crunchy delight, which complements a variety of dishes. Trust us, you’ll want to stuff it into breakfast sandwiches or crumble it over pasta. We recommend preparing a big batch at the beginning of the week to have it ready when you’re in the mood for a savory bite. 

Carrot Bacon Ingredients

• Carrot: We slice the carrot into thin strips to mimic the texture of fried bacon.
• Maple syrup: We whisk maple syrup into a marinade to infuse sweet flavors into the savory carrot bacon.
• Smoked paprika: To recreate the smoky flavor of bacon, we sprinkle paprika into the marinade.
• Garlic powder: For this carrot bacon recipe, we use the powder version instead of mincing garlic to infuse savory flavors more quickly.
• Onion powder: We rely on onion powder to provide sweet and savory flavors to the carrot bacon.
• Liquid smoke: We infuse liquid smoke into the marinade so that this carrot bacon tastes authentic without touching a smoker.
• Olive oil: We fry the carrot bacon in olive oil to help it achieve its crispy texture.

Directions

Step 1: Slice the carrot into strips

Use a mandoline or vegetable peeler to slice the carrot into long, thin strips.

Step 2: Marinate the carrot strips

In a shallow bowl, whisk the maple syrup, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and liquid smoke. Dip the carrot slices into the syrup mixture, allowing the excess to drip off.

Step 3: Fry the carrot bacon

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the carrot slices in batches until they’re nicely browned and crispy, four to six minutes, turning once.

Carrot Bacon Variations

• Boost the heat: Adding seasonings such as cayenne pepper, chipotle or chili flakes to the marinade creates a flavorful, spicy version of this carrot bacon.
• Use an air fryer: Instead of frying the carrot bacon in olive oil, place the marinated slices into an air fryer to crisp up.
• Nix the liquid smoke: If you don’t have liquid smoke, you can substitute it with rich soy sauce, smoked paprika or canned chipotle pepper sauce.

How to Store Carrot Bacon

Store your carrot bacon in an airtight container at room temperature for three to five days. 

Can you make carrot bacon ahead of time?

Prepping delicious staples in advance can make meal planning for the week a lot easier. Follow this carrot bacon recipe and store it in the fridge for three to five days. When you’re ready to enjoy it, heat it in the oven or air fryer.

Can you freeze carrot bacon?

If you have a bunch of carrots hanging out, you can make this recipe and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Pack the carrots in an airtight container or freezer bag, then thaw them out when you’re ready to reheat and enjoy them.

How long does carrot bacon last?

If you have leftover carrot bacon, store it in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed wrap in the fridge for three to five days. It will last in the freezer for up to three months. 

Carrot Bacon Tips

How long should I marinate the carrot slices before frying them?

If you’re in a time crunch, you can marinate the carrot bacon for up to five minutes to achieve a delicious, sweet and savory bite. But if you’re not in a rush, you can soak them for up to 30 minutes to achieve an even more enhanced flavor.

Can I bake carrot bacon in the oven?

You can certainly crisp this carrot bacon in the oven. First, line your baking sheet with parchment paper and add the slices. Spray or drizzle them lightly with olive oil. Bake them at 400°F until crunchy and golden brown.

What can I put this carrot bacon on?

For a fun twist, try stuffing this carrot bacon into a classic BLT, crumbling it on top of a creamy carbonara or elevating a simple cheesy egg breakfast sandwich.