Tofu Scramble
You can make this tofu scramble recipe and enjoy it with toast for a healthy breakfast. I also use it as an egg substitute in other recipes, such as Vegan Potato Salad, on a sandwich, and more. Made in minutes with minimal ingredients, you’ll love how easy it is to cook with tofu.
We love having lots of healthy options for breakfast, such as this Green Smoothie or these Vegan English Muffins with some Chia Seed Jam. If you miss scrambled eggs, this tofu scramble will be your go-to favorite breakfast option because it’s loaded with plant-based protein.
Why This Recipe is a Winner
- Adding nutritional yeast flakes creates a slightly savory, cheesy flavor
- Using ground turmeric adds color and a very slight earthy flavor.
- Mild miso paste adds delicious umami flavor to foods and some studies indicate miso is a healthier alternative to salt
- Using garlic powder contributes an easy garlic flavor without the “bite” that comes from fresh.
What You Need
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:
- Extra-firm tofu — You’ll need one block of extra firm tofu. Here’s more on buying tofu.
- Olive oil
- Nutritional yeast flakes — We’ll add nutritional yeast flakes, which you can find at health food stores or online.
- Spices — You’ll need ground turmeric, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Mild miso paste — you can buy this in the health food section of grocery stores and at health food stores.
- Ground flaxseed — an omega-3 powerhouse, but it also adds some nutty flavor and helps bind the tofu scramble
Ingredient Spotlight
What Tofu is Best for Breakfast Scrambles?
Firm or extra-firm tofu is best for breakfast scrambles because it has a compact texture that produces the perfect mouthfeel. Tofu has a neutral flavor, allowing it to soak up the seasonings it’s cooked with. However, tofu comes packed in water, so pressing the packing water out of the tofu is the best way to make way for the flavors you’re about to cook it with. To press tofu, wrap it in a kitchen towel and place something heavy on it, like a pan or use a tofu press.
How to Make Tofu Scramble
- Press the tofu to remove the packing liquids.
- Place pressed tofu in a heated, oiled skillet. Use a spatula to break it into smaller pieces.
- Stir together the scramble sauce ingredients.
- Pour the sauce over the tofu and stir to cover all the tofu. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can make Tofu Scramble:
Step One: Prepare the Tofu
Begin your tofu scrambled eggs with a block of extra-firm tofu. I like to press it to remove as much moisture from the tofu as possible.
If you don’t have a tofu presser (I highly recommend them), then simply wrap the tofu in a kitchen towel, place it on a plate and top it with something heavy, like a small iron skillet.
Step Two: Cook the Tofu
- Add oil to a frying pan and add the tofu.
- Use your spatula to break it into strips. Continue breaking the tofu apart as it cooks.
Step Three: Make Scramble Sauce
Next, make the tofu scrambler sauce. Here’s how you do it:
- Combine water, nutritional yeast flakes, turmeric (for color), paprika, garlic powder, mild miso yellow paste, and ground flaxseed.
- Stir that all together.
- Pour it over the tofu in the skillet.
- Stir to coat the tofu.
- Continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
Storage Tips
Store the tofu scramble in a lidded container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days. You can freeze this, but the texture will be impacted. Tofu often becomes spongy after frozen.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Does tofu scramble taste like eggs?
Tofu scramble has an egg-like color, consistency, and flavor. This makes it a great substitute to serve in place of eggs for breakfast or any time of day.
Is tofu scramble healthy?
Tofu scramble is a great low-carb, high-protein breakfast option for people on a plant-based diet or for anyone looking for a low-cholesterol breakfast option.
Healthy Tofu Eggs
You can make this tofu scramble today and enjoy the nutrition that comes as a result. Here’s some nutritional information:
- Each serving has 101 calories and 9 grams of protein
- This tofu scramble is naturally gluten-free
- You can expect over 200 grams of potassium for every serving
- Tofu scramble is a dairy-free and egg-free alternative to your regular breakfast scramble
- Make it even healthier and more colorful by adding some fresh chopped spinach as it cooks
Obviously, I’m in the tofu scramble fan club. Are you? Give it a try today and let me know.
Vegan Breakfast Recipes
Looking for more filling vegan breakfast ideas? Here are some favorites:
We have dozens more Easy Vegan Recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less!
10-Minute Tofu Scramble
Ingredients
- 15 oz package extra firm tofu
- 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast flakes
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mild miso paste
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
Instructions
- Drain the liquid from the tofu container. Use paper towels or a dishcloth and wrap the tofu. Stand over the sink and press the tofu, gently, to remove excess liquid.
- When the tofu is ready, place olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu use a spatula to break it into slices. Then break it up into smaller pieces. Stir occasionally while cooking for about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl combine the water, nutritional yeast, turmeric, paprika, garlic powder, miso, and flax. Stir to combine. Pour over the tofu and stir so that each piece of tofu is seasoned. Cook until the sauce is absorbed by the tofu and is thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with toast, on salads, on sandwiches in place of eggs, in potato salad, etc.
- Store the tofu scramble in a lidded container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days. You can freeze this, but the texture will be impacted. Tofu often becomes spongy after frozen.
Recommended Equipment
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Notes
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This post was originally published in 2018 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.
Am still loving this recipe and use it all the time. I double or treble the dry spice mix and place in small containers ready to just add water and miso for an ultra speedy tofu scramble, especially when camping minus the miso.
Hi Diane
I’m so glad you continue to enjoy this recipe. Love your idea of making the spice mix to have handy for impromptu tofu scramble. What a great idea! I’ll add that to the notes.
My new go to recipe! Delicious, quick and easy.
Thanks, Diane! So glad you like it. I just made another batch of it yesterday! 🙂
Loving all those extra ingredients in your scramble. Makes mine sound boring 🙂
Hi Nicole! Thanks. And I’m sure your scramble recipe is great too! ❤️
Tofu scramble is my favorite breakfast EVER! I love how you suggest mixing the spices with some water before pouring them into the pan with the tofu. Such a great trick! I’m going to have to try that next time (aka tomorrow morning lol). Thanks!
Thanks, Brittany! I feel like that trick helps infuse the tofu with lots of flavor!
I love tofu scramble and yours looks so good!
Thanks, Sarah!
Breakfast is my fave – I wake up dreaming about what I’ll eat. 🙂 And I love a good scramble! This looks soooo yummy!
Thanks, Jenn. It’s really perfect on toast for breakfast. But I love to serve it on salads or even sandwiches. Yum!
I love a quick and healthy fix like this one. Healthy yet so delicious, so ticks all the right boxes for sure
Thanks Tania! So glad you like it. This tofu scramble is a favorite of ours for sure!
so I made the yummiest breakfast burrito with these “eggs”. I tucked them into a soft wheat tortilla with some salsa verde, and sliced cooked sweet potato, some black beans and a bit of homemade cashew ricotta. wrapped in foil and warmed in the toaster oven. YUM!