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!
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…)
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.
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.
