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This easy tofu scramble has the same texture as scrambled eggs, but it’s 100% plant based! It’s a vegan breakfast idea you’ll want to make again and again.

Tofu scramble

Want a knock-out vegan breakfast idea? Look no further than this easy tofu scramble. It tastes oddly similar to the flavor and texture of scrambled eggs: and it’s so hearty and satisfying! Let me preface that with: Alex and I don’t eat tofu often. But over the years of eating mostly plant based, we’ve been warming up to it. So now, my new very favorite way to make it is this tofu scramble! It’s hard to find healthy vegan breakfast ideas, let alone savory breakfast recipes. This one is both and even better: it takes only 10 minutes to make. Note this is without the colorful veggie saute, which adds a few extra minutes. Here’s how to make both!

Easy tofu scramble

How to make a tofu scramble: basic steps

Here’s the basic idea behind a tofu scramble. When you crumble tofu with your fingers into irregular pieces, it’s oddly similar to the texture of scrambled eggs! If you add the right spices, you can make something that looks and tastes like them too. Here are the basic steps for how to make this healthy whole food plant based breakfast (WFPB):

Step 1: Dry the tofu and crumble it.

Because tofu is packed in water, it’s pretty liquidy when you take it out of the package. Once you drain the liquid from the package, take a clean dish towel and pat it dry. Then here’s the fun part: place the tofu in a bowl and use your fingers to crumble it. It might be a little cold on your hands at this point: but it should only take a few seconds, so just work through it! Then you can mix in the olive oil, turmeric and salt, and stir it around a bit until the tofu is coated.

Step 2: Toast the cumin and garlic for 1 minute.

Next, place the cumin and garlic in a skillet and toast them for 1 minute! This helps to remove the “raw” flavor since the tofu doesn’t need too long to cook.

Step 3: Add the tofu crumbles and cook for 5 minutes!

Here’s the final step! Add the tofu and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tofu will get warm and a little browned on the edges. That’s it! Remove the serving plates. It’s a tofu scramble in just 10 minutes (not counting the veggie saute, which you also should make…)

More great ways to serve tofu? Try all our tofu recipes, especially Coconut Tofu Curry, Tofu Stir Fry, Pan Fried Tofu, and Grilled Tofu.

Pan with tofu & veggies

What to serve with a tofu scramble!

Now, how to serve this healthy tofu scramble? Well, we’ve removed some of the guess work and added an optional veggie saute to this recipe! It looks beautiful and the veggies add lots of nutrients to this recipe. Here’s how you can accessorize this scramble:

  • Veggie saute: Follow the recipe below to make our easy veggie saute to go alongside! It’s got red onion, red pepper, and baby greens and it’s the perfect compliment. It adds about 10 minutes to the overall prep time, but it’s worth it.
  • Sauteed spinach, mushrooms or broccoli: Add Sauteed Spinach or Sauteed Broccoli for a splash of healthy greens, or Sauteed Mushrooms or Roasted Mushrooms for a meaty compliment.
  • Toast: Crunchy whole grain toast is a nice addition.
  • Vegan bacon: If you want to get fancy, add vegan bacon to go alongside! We’ve got three different ways to make it: with mushrooms, coconut, or tempeh.
Tofu scramble

Is tofu healthy? Dispelling some myths

Is tofu healthy? Tofu has gotten some bad press these days, but it’s due to misinformation. Yes, tofu is part of a healthy diet! According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Nutrition, soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week. It’s likely to provide health benefits—especially when eaten as an alternative to red and processed meat. For more, head over to Straight Talk About Soy to learn all about tofu nutrition.

Other vegan breakfast ideas

Do you love eating plant based meals but stumped on what to do for a healthy breakfast? There are lots of great ways to eat vegan for breakfast: here are some of our favorite breakfast ideas:

  • Homemade Acai Bowl This frosty purple smoothie bowl is full of acai berries, banana, pineapple and mango, and topped with fruit and almond butter. So good!
  • The Best Oatmeal Here’s the very best oatmeal recipe that we make every day, vegan and plant based with protein-packed peanut butter and strawberry jelly!
  • Healthy Granola Want a healthy granola recipe that’s actually healthy? Here’s one that’s low calorie and still nutrient dense. Serve with your favorite plant-based milk!
Vegan breakfast recipe

This tofu scramble recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Tofu scramble

Easy Tofu Scramble


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 4 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 to 3 1x

Description

This easy tofu scramble has the same texture as scrambled eggs, but it’s 100% plant based! It’s a vegan breakfast idea you’ll want to make again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

For the tofu scramble

  • 12 to 14-ounce block extra firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Heaping ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin

For the veggie saute

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 red pepper
  • 2 handfuls baby greens (like baby spinach, baby kale, or a baby greens mix*)

Instructions

  1. Make the tofu scramble: Drain the tofu container, then pat the tofu dry with a clean dish towel. Place the tofu in a large bowl and use your fingers to break the tofu into bite-sized irregular shaped pieces. (It might be a little cold on your hands: don’t worry, it should only take a few seconds!) Stir in the olive oil, turmeric, salt and pepper.
  2. Add the cumin and garlic powder to a dry skillet. Cook on medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the tofu and increase the heat to medium high. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and starting to lightly brown. Remove the heat and place it on the serving plates. Serve with toast, veggie saute (below), or if you want to get fancy, vegan bacon.
  3. Make the veggie saute (optional): Meanwhile, thinly slice the onion. Thinly slice the bell pepper. Heat the olive oil in a separate large skillet over medium high heat. When hot, add the onion and peppers. Cook 4 to 6 minutes until just starting to brown, stirring occasionally. Add a pinch of salt and the baby greens. Cook for 30 seconds until wilted. Remove from the heat and serve alongside the tofu scramble. 

Notes

*If you can’t find baby greens, substitute chopped spinach leaves.

**Note that the timing below is for the tofu scramble only.

  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Keywords: Tofu Scramble, Vegan Breakfast

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

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5 Comments

  1. This is my first attempt at cooking tofu, and I give you a 5-star review! I followed your directions, and this looks and tastes just like real scrambled eggs. I am thrilled. I want to be more plant-based and I am so excited that tofu can do this. For somebody new reading this, in case it gets a little dry when it’s in the pan, just sprinkle some water in there until it’s the consistency you like. Thank you!

  2. My family loved loved loved this recipe! Thanks so much. I did some minor changes. Like I mixed in the garlic powder on step one . And sautéed the onion, minced garlic, cumin, and baby spinach first and the mixed and sautéed everything together. It was delicious!!!!