Best Tofu Scramble Recipe: High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Recipes (2024)

Breakfast | Oil-Free | Tofu Recipes | Vegan Recipes

ByKarissa

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If you’re looking for a protein-packed vegan breakfast to replace your morning eggs, you’re going to love this tofu scramble. This dish has 19 grams of protein per serving.

Best Tofu Scramble Recipe: High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Recipes (1)

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If you’re new to veganism or looking to eat more plant-based meals, you may have a very common question: What can I eat for breakfast as a vegan?

I get it. A lot of vegan breakfasts center around oats or smoothie bowls. If you prefer savory breakfasts like me, those just don’t cut it all the time. Thankfully, there are a ton of savory vegan breakfast options to try.

When I’m looking to indulge in some comfort food, my go-to is vegan sausage gravy and biscuits. For a healthier option, I love a good potato hashor toast with tofu scrambled eggs.

Tofu scramble is an easy, high-protein vegan breakfast idea. 1 serving (half of this recipe) has a whopping 19g of protein. It’s a great way to fuel your body and start your day, especially if you add in veggies like tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini…whatever you love.

Ingredients

This is a flavor-packed recipe thanks to a few important dried spices.Reminder:You can find the printable, detailed recipe in the recipe card below.

Best Tofu Scramble Recipe: High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Recipes (2)
  • Extra-Firm Tofu. There’s no need to press your tofu for this recipe, which makes it extra quick and easy. Extra-firm tofu gives you the best texture and a ton of protein.
  • Turmeric. This is more for color than flavor, so if you don’t have it on hand, you can omit the turmeric.
  • Onion and garlic powder. These add a deeply savory flavor to the scramble without any chopping.
  • Parika. For a bit of a kick.
  • Nutritional yeast. The secret to cheesy vegan tofu scramble without any dairy!
  • Salt. For a real eggy flavor, there’s nothing better than Kala Namak black salt. It’s actually more pink in color and smells of sulfur, but it totally hits the nail on the head in the flavor department. You can use regular salt instead.

How to Make Tofu Scramble

Best Tofu Scramble Recipe: High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Recipes (3)
  1. Drain the tofu, then break it apart using your hands or a couple of forks, until it resembles egg scramble. (There is no need to press the tofu for this recipe. In this case, we want to keep the liquid!)
  2. Mix together the tofu, nutritionalyeast, garlic, onion, salt, turmeric, paprika, and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes to let the flavors sink in.
  3. On medium-low heat, sauté tofu until hot, about 8-10 minutes. I use a nonstick pan to cook my scramble, so I don’t find oil is necessary, but you can cook in 1-2 teaspoons of oil.

Storage

Tofu scramble is also a great make-ahead vegan breakfast recipe. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet to crisp the tofu up again.

For an all-protein breakfast, enjoy your scramble as-is. Or add a side of toast to round out the meal.

Best Tofu Scramble Recipe: High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Recipes (4)

Substitutions & Variations

  • Other flavors. You can substitute the dried seasonings with any of your favorite spices or seasoning blends.
  • Spicy scrambled tofu. For more heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce.

Veggie Add-Ins

Add any diced veggies to amp up the nutrition and flavor in your breakfast. My favorite add-ins include:

  • Tomatoes
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Mushrooms
  • Bell Peppers
  • Onions
  • Zucchini

For vegetables that take longer to cook, like mushrooms and onions, you will want to sauté these in oil before adding in your tofu. On the other hand, soft vegetables like spinach or tomatoes can be tossed in toward the end of the cooking process.

Best Tofu Scramble Recipe: High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Recipes (5)

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Tofu Scramble

Karissa Besaw

Vegan tofu scramble made with extra firm tofu and seasonings like nutritional yeast, Kala Namak salt, and paprika. You can add your favorite veggies for some added nutritional benefit and tastiness.

5 from 38 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Resting Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Vegan

Servings 2

Calories 147 kcal

Ingredients

Optional veggie add-ins

  • 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms

Instructions

  • Drain the tofu, then break it apart using your hands or a couple of forks, until it resembles egg scramble.

  • Mix together the tofu, nutritionalyeast, garlic, onion, Kala Namak, turmeric, paprika, and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes to let the flavors sink in.

  • On medium-low heat, sauté tofu until hot, about 8-10 minutes. I use a nonstick pan to cook my scramble, so I don't find oil is necessary, but you can cook in 2 teaspoons of oil.

Notes

  • If you like a wetter “egg” scramble, sauté with 2 tablespoons of water.
  • Don’t like nutritional yeast? Go ahead and leave it out.
  • You can use regular table salt in place of kala namak.

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 19gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 127mgPotassium: 474mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 123IUCalcium: 62mgIron: 3mg

Did you try this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Best Tofu Scramble Recipe: High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is scrambled tofu better than scrambled eggs? ›

Compared to scrambled eggs, scrambled tofu is lower in calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and higher in fiber. While eggs are a respectable source of protein, scrambled tofu is a better option for those looking to reduce their cholesterol intake or follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.

How much protein is in tofu scramble? ›

It makes such a healthy, satisfying meal to have first thing in the morning as 8 ounces has nearly 20 grams of protein! Tofu scrambles used to intimidate me.

How long does tofu scramble last in the fridge? ›

How to store tofu scramble. Unlike scrambled eggs, once the tofu is scrambled it will sit happily in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. It might dry out a little so add a splash of plant based liquid such as soy milk or coconut milk when reheating it.

How do you substitute tofu for eggs? ›

To make an egg replacement out of silken tofu, just take 1/4 cup of tofu per 1 whole egg and pulse it in a blender or food processor until it's broken up. Then, substitute as you please! Just make sure you use *silken* tofu, not firm tofu, as it won't yield the same result.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

What are the pros and cons of tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

What is healthier, tofu or eggs? ›

In case you're wondering which is healthier, eggs or tofu, the match-up is surprisingly close. If you compare them per serving (1 egg to a 3.5-ounce serving of tofu), the tofu has a similar amount of calories and slightly more protein. Here's how they stack up: Calories: egg = 78 | tofu = 70.

How much tofu equals one egg? ›

Tofu is simply curdled soy milk, so heating and adding liquid result in a similar consistency that's also creamy, moist and rich. In baking, four tablespoons or 1/4 cup of silken tofu can substitute a single egg.

What are the benefits of scrambled tofu? ›

Scrambled tofu is an excellent source of plant-based protein and is a complete protein, meaning it has all of the essential amino acids. Tofu also contains phytoestrogens that are protective against certain cancers like prostate cancer and breast cancer, and against heart disease.

Can you eat tofu every day? ›

Similarly, the American Cancer Society sees no dangers from eating soy. "For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said.

How can you tell if opened tofu has gone bad? ›

Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor. If you find any of these signs of spoilage, toss the tofu.

What is the best way to reheat tofu scramble? ›

Yes! Store leftover tofu scramble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can reheat the tofu scramble in the microwave, heat for 60 to 9o seconds. You can also place the tofu scramble back into the skillet and reheat on the stove.

What is a good protein substitute for tofu? ›

Tempeh: Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that is a great alternative to tofu. It has a nutty and slightly earthy flavor and can be sliced, marinated, and used in various dishes. Try it in a stir-fry, on a sandwich, or even crumbled as a topping for salads or pasta.

What vegetable can replace tofu? ›

Instead of using tofu for the stir-fry, just add another high-protein element such as seitan, lentils, beans, or a soy-free meat analogue.

Is tofu better for you than eggs? ›

In case you're wondering which is healthier, eggs or tofu, the match-up is surprisingly close. If you compare them per serving (1 egg to a 3.5-ounce serving of tofu), the tofu has a similar amount of calories and slightly more protein. Here's how they stack up: Calories: egg = 78 | tofu = 70.

What is a healthy substitute for scrambled eggs? ›

The Best Egg Substitute to Use for Baking, Scrambles and More
  • Flaxseed Meal. Veena Nair/Getty Images. ...
  • Chia Seeds. Karisssa/Getty Images. ...
  • Mashed Banana. Candice Bell/Getty Images. ...
  • Applesauce. Riou, Jean-Christophe/Getty Images. ...
  • Silken Tofu. NatashaBreen/Getty Images. ...
  • Aquafaba. ...
  • Vinegar and Baking Powder. ...
  • Arrowroot Powder.
May 15, 2024

Are scrambled eggs the healthiest? ›

In and of themselves, scrambled eggs are a healthy dish. Eggs are high in protein as well as B vitamins and vitamin D; eggs also contain heart-healthy unsaturated fats. However, when butter, cream, cream cheese, or shredded cheese are added, the calories, cholesterol, and fat content increase.

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