Tofu Scramble (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure and privacy policy.

This tofu scramble is a delicious warm breakfast, and a perfect alternative to eggs! It’s a great source of plant-based protein, and will keep you feeling full for hours.

Tofu Scramble (1)

Does tofu taste like eggs? If you were to sauté plain tofu, it won’t taste like eggs, but when you scramble it with aromatic veggies and a little seasoning, it really will remind you of an egg scramble!

My husband was my taste-tester on this one, and he told me he wouldn’t have know this wasn’t eggs if I hadn’t told him. Win!

Tofu vs. 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
  • Protein: egg = 6g | tofu = 8g
  • Fat: egg = 5g | tofu = 4g
  • Fiber: egg= 0g | tofu = 1g
  • Carbohydrates: egg= 0.6g | tofu = 2g
  • Cholesterol: egg = 187mg | tofu = 0mg

What else is there to love about tofu? The soy isoflavones found in tofu may benefit vascular health, and eating soy may help to lower several risk factors for heart disease.

Women who eat soy may also have a lower risk of breast cancer and research suggests it may have several anti-cancer properties.

My family eats eggs as well, but it’s nice to switch it up every now and then with this alternative! I think this tofu scramble would also make an egg-cellent (see what I did there?) stuffing for a breakfast burrito.

How to Make It

How do you make a tofu scramble? Start by sautéing some chopped onion and pepper, for the best flavor. This is the base of any good scramble!

Tofu Scramble (2)

Once the pepper and onion are tender, stir in the turmeric, salt, and a dash of ground cumin, if you’d like a Southwest flavor. It’s delicious either way.

Now, it’s time to add in the tofu. Drain the block of tofu (no need to press it) and crumble it into the skillet with your hands.

Tofu Scramble (3)

Season with more salt and stir well with the spatula. Watch the tofu pick up the yellow color from the turmeric!

Once the tofu is thoroughly heated, and any extra moisture has evaporated in the skillet, you can add in a big handful of fresh baby spinach. It will wilt quickly from the heat as you stir it in.

Tofu Scramble (4)

Adjust any seasoning to taste, and serve warm.

How to Make Tofu Taste like Eggs

If you really want to make your tofu scramble taste like eggs, you can buy Indian kala namak, also called “black salt.”

Tofu Scramble (5)

This salt is used in Indian and Asian cuisines as a flavor enhancer, and it has a sulphur flavor that tastes remarkably like eggs. If you taste it straight from the jar, it tastes like salty scrambled eggs!

You can finish your tofu scramble with this salt on top, for an extra egg-y flavor, if you’d like to, but it’s not necessary.

Tofu Scramble (6)

Storage Tips

How long does tofu scramble last in the fridge? You can store leftover tofu scramble in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat it in a skillet over medium-high heat, until it’s heated through again, for a fast morning.

Tofu Scramble (7)

Best Tofu Scramble

5 from 7 votes

This Tofu Scramble is a delicious plant-based alternative to eggs! It's loaded with protein and veggies, and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.

prep5 mins cook10 mins total15 mins

Servings:2

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion , chopped (1 cup)
  • 1 red bell pepper , chopped (1 cup)
  • fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 (14 oz.) block extra-firm tofu
  • 1 heaping cup fresh spinach (optional)
  • Black salt (kala namak) , to taste (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and saute the onion, pepper, and a 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir until softened, about 5 to 8 minutes.

    Tofu Scramble (8)

  • Drain the tofu while the veggies are cooking. There's no need to press it, since you can cook off any extra moisture in the skillet. Add the turmeric and cumin to the sauteed veggies and stir briefly, then crumble the tofu directly into the pan. Season with another 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and stir well.

    Tofu Scramble (9)

  • The tofu will start to pick up a yellow color from the turmeric, and you can break up any large clumps with the spatula and you stir. Once the tofu is hot, add in a big handful of fresh spinach, and stir again. It should wilt quickly from the heat, then it's ready to serve!

    Tofu Scramble (10)

  • Taste and adjust any seasoning, as needed. At this point, you can add a 1/4 teaspoon of black salt for an egg-y flavor, or just season with additional sea salt, to taste. Serve warm, with your favorite sides. Leftover tofu scramble can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-high heat until warm, about 4-5 minutes.

    Tofu Scramble (11)

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for half the batch. This is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.

The cumin adds a Southwest-style flavor to this dish. I highly recommend it, but you can omit and swap it for more black salt if you want more of a straight-up "egg" flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2387IU | Vitamin C: 101mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 3mg

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: vegan

Keyword: tofu scramble

More Vegan Breakfast Recipes

If you try this Tofu Scramble, please leave a comment below letting me know how you like it! And I you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too.

Tofu Scramble (12)

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. I create healthy recipes made with simple ingredients to make your life easier.

Read More

You May Also LIke

Tofu Scramble (2024)

FAQs

How healthy is tofu scramble? ›

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.

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 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.

Can I use normal tofu instead of silken? ›

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. They are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently and are not interchangeable in a recipe.

Is there a downside to eating 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.

Is tofu good or bad for weight loss? ›

Tofu is a cholesterol-free, low-calorie, high-protein food that's also rich in bone-boosting calcium and manganese. Tofu may help you to lose weight by keeping you fuller for longer on fewer calories than meat. It may reduce the risk of heart disease, especially when swapped for saturated fat-heavy animal proteins.

What is the best thing to eat with tofu? ›

There's lot of different sides that go well with tofu. Tofu is a versatile plant-based protein source that can be eaten with grains (rice, quinoa, barley, and more), pasta, veggies (stir fry, air fried, roasted, and more), on top of salads, and in buddha bowls.

Is it OK to eat eggs with tofu? ›

Quick, easy, and healthy, Tofu and Eggs is the perfect meal for any weeknight dinner!

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.

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.

Can you eat raw tofu? ›

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

Can I meal prep tofu scramble? ›

This super vegetable packed tofu scramble is an easy, freezer-friendly, fiber and protein packed meal that is perfect for meal prep!

Can I freeze tofu? ›

So, the big question: “Can tofu be frozen?” Yes, you can freeze tofu. More specifically, you can freeze tofu that is uncooked, removed from the package and drained of liquid. Tofu is made from a simple ingredient — soybeans — that can be safely frozen when uncooked, so it's actually a really safe food for freezing.

How to season tofu? ›

Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes to infuse it with flavor. Alternatively, you can skip this step and season the tofu right before cooking with a dash of salt and pepper or paprika and chili flakes.

What kind of tofu is the best? ›

In general, I find that firm and extra-firm tofu are the most useful because they're versatile. They hit the tofu texture sweet spot—soft enough to absorb flavor but hardy enough to be cooked without risk of falling apart. Do note that some firm tofu, like House Foods', skews soft, more like medium-firm.

How unhealthy is fried tofu? ›

Frying tofu can give it a crispy texture, but comes at a cost – it can be high in calories, up to three times more than baked or air-fried tofu. This is because frying requires added oil as a heat conductor, which cooks the tofu evenly but also makes it absorb more oil, resulting in more fat and calories.

What is the healthiest form of tofu? ›

Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

Is tofu healthier for you than chicken? ›

Tofu nutrition. This meatless option is a staple for vegetarians, and rightfully so. It boasts more fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate than chicken and contains fewer calories.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5416

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.