This easy Vegan Southwest Tofu Scramble is a tasty and nutritious way to start your day! Packed with protein-rich tofu and flavorful veggies like bell peppers and green chili peppers, this breakfast will ensure you're fueled up for whatever comes your way in the morning! Try topping it with coconut bacon!
This vegan southwestern tofu scramble is a healthy, satisfying, and protein-packed vegan breakfast that you'll want to make again and again. Firm tofu is sauteed with bell pepper, tomato, shallot, green onions, garlic, roasted green chile, and kale for the best vegan scrambled "eggs"!
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This easy-to-make tofu scramble will start your morning off right by filling you up with protein and vegetables while also giving you that satisfying taste of home in less than thirty minutes.
This recipe is a delicious vegan alternative to scrambled eggs; we love it any time of the day; it's not just for breakfast! If you love mushrooms, try this vegan mushroom tofu scramble.
Try these Southwestern-inspired recipes such as southwest quinoa bowl and southwest salad. I've been using roasted green chile in many recipes, such as my vegan southwest skillet cornbread.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this vegan Southwestern Tofu Scramble:
- Extra firm tofu or firm tofu drained and pressed, crumbled - you will find this tofu in the refrigerated section. Avoid silken tofu for this recipe. I crumble tofu with clean hands or you can use a fork or potato masher.
- Extra virgin olive oil, or a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as avocado oil or grapeseed oil
- Orange bell pepper or red bell pepper for nutrition and color - not only are they delicious, they contain many vitamins and minerals; they're a great source of Vitamin C!
- Canned green chiles - no need to drain them.
- Kale - It adds a beautiful bright green to the scramble.
- Nutritional yeast - for umami flavor
- Ground turmeric - for the yellow color
- Kala namak - black salt with a sulfurous, pungent smell, giving the tofu a taste similar to eggs. More information on kala namak is below! It's nice to add it but it is not essential to this recipe.
I also use kala namak in this vegan mushroom egg scramble; it's so good. A little goes a long way! This recipe has so much umami as well. Also, try my delicious Tofu Salad Sandwich, which includes kala namak as an ingredient!
What is Kala Namak?
Kala namak is a black Himalayan salt or Indian black salt with a distinctive sulfurous, pungent smell; adding it to the tofu scramble gives it the taste of eggs. It's not always available locally, so I buy it online.
When I first heard of this salt, I thought it was black because of the name, but it's actually pinkish-grey.
Substitutions
Here are some substitutions you can try when making this southwest tofu scramble recipe:
- Shallot - use diced onion-white onion, yellow onion, or red onion instead
- Green onion - try onion powder
- Red bell pepper - try orange bell pepper or green pepper
- Nutritional yeast - add a little shredded cheese (vegan) instead.
- Chopped kale - use spinach instead. Stir in approximately ½ cup at the end immediately before serving. Or stir in these vegan cheesy kale chips.
- Canned green chiles, you can try half to one seeded and diced jalapeño. If you have fresh Hatch chiles or poblano chiles, roast and chop them; add about 4 ounces. Here are directions on how to roast chiles.
Variations
Here are some variations on this easy tofu scramble:
- Beans - For even more Southwestern flavor and additional protein, add cooked or canned black beans or pinto beans; be sure to drain and rinse them first. You can stir in a small amount of chopped cilantro at the end.
- Spices - Add southwestern spices such as chili powder, cumin, or smoked paprika. I would start with ½ teaspoon.
- Add garlic powder or onion powder, or both.
- Take the delicious flavor up another notch by adding roasted Hatch chiles or other peppers! I suggest adding ¼ cup to ⅓ cup chopped freshly roasted chiles at the same time you would add the canned chiles in this recipe.
How to Make This Vegan Southwest Tofu Scramble
This vegan Mexican tofu scramble is easy to make, even if it's your first time. Start by measuring, prepping, and preparing all of the ingredients; this tofu scramble comes together quickly.
- Step 1: Heat a large nonstick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat to medium-low heat for 3 minutes. Add oil and swirl.
- Step 2: Add the vegetables: add the green onions, shallot, bell pepper, tomato, garlic, and sea salt. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Add the crumbled tofu, nutritional yeast, turmeric, Kala namak, ground black pepper, and green chiles. Stir to combine, and cook for another four minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add the kale, occasionally stir for 2 minutes until it softens, and serve.
Hint: If you are not used to cooking with Kala namak or turmeric, start with a smaller quantity in this dish (or omit it if you prefer). I personally love both!
Expert Tips
You don't need to press the tofu. Cooking it on the stovetop will remove any excess moisture. If it starts looking dry, add a little water or unsweetened plant-based milk.
How to Serve
Serve it as part of a hearty breakfast or enjoy it for lunch or dinner - either way, you will love this savory and healthy recipe!
This vegan breakfast scramble is delicious, but adding something on the side takes it to the next level. Here are some of my favorite options:
- Top with sliced avocado and coconut bacon.
- Serve with salsa or hot sauce.
- Add a little shredded cheese (vegan cheddar cheese).
- If you have a hearty appetite like me, serve this delicious southwest tofu scramble with hash browns, roasted sweet potatoes or brussels sprouts, pan-fried crispy potatoes, or Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes.
- Try it with toast or toasted homemade sourdough.
- Serve with flour or corn tortillas and make burritos, wraps or breakfast tacos!
- Serve with Vegan Cheesy Kale Chips.
Storage
- Refrigerate: You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. This dish is excellent to make ahead for meal prep, although I prefer it fresh.
- Freeze: You can freeze leftovers for 2 to 3 months in an airtight-covered container or a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Let the container thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm the leftover vegan tofu scramble in a pan on the stovetop over low-medium until warmed through, adding a bit of water or plant-based milk if needed so it doesn't dry out and stick to the pan.
Recipe FAQs
They taste amazing! I wouldn't say scrambled tofu tastes precisely like eggs, but the texture is similar; the Kala namak adds an eggy flavor.
No, it's optional. If you are not used to cooking with Kala namak or turmeric, you can start with a smaller quantity in this dish or skip them altogether if you don't have them. I like the flavors and colors they add to the dish!
This hearty plant-based dish is perfect for sharing at any time of day or for meal prep. It's an easy favorite around here come dinnertime!
Related Recipes
If you try this recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe
Vegan Southwestern Tofu Scramble
EQUIPMENT
- 9-inch cast-iron skillet
- wooden spoon
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil or grapeseed oil
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- 1 large shallot chopped (approximately ¼ cup)
- 1 large orange bell pepper chopped, or red bell pepper
- 1 Roma tomato chopped
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 15.5 oz organic firm tofu drained and rinsed, crumbled, or extra-firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- ¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¾ teaspoon kala namak optional, recommended
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 oz canned green chiles do not drain, or freshly roasted Hatch or poblano chiles, chopped
- ½ cup chopped kale coarsely chopped, or frozen chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat a medium non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium to medium-low heat for 3 minutes. Add extra virgin olive oil and swirl.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Add green onions, shallot, bell pepper, Roma tomato, garlic, and sea salt. Stir and saute for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables start softening.2 green onions, 1 large shallot, 1 large orange bell pepper, 1 Roma tomato, 1 large clove garlic, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Add crumbled tofu, nutritional yeast, turmeric, kala namak, ground black pepper, and green chiles. Stir to combine, and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.15.5 oz organic firm tofu , 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, ¾ teaspoon ground turmeric, ¾ teaspoon kala namak, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 4 oz canned green chiles
- Add kale, stir occasionally for 2 minutes, and serve.½ cup chopped kale
NOTES
- You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight-covered container. This dish is excellent to make ahead for meal prep.
- You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 to 3 months in an airtight-covered container or a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Let thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To reheat, warm the leftover vegan tofu scramble in a pan on the stovetop over low-medium until warmed through, adding a bit of water or plant-based milk if needed so it doesn't dry out and stick to the pan.
- I have a recipe for how to roast peppers and chiles.
- If you aren't used to cooking with Kala namak or turmeric, start with smaller portions, such as ¼ teaspoon, and work your way up. If you 're adventurous, try the amount I have noted in the recipe!
NUTRITION
Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.
Natalie says
Lovely breakfast idea. Looks delicious and healthy. I'm going to make this scrumble for breakfast tomorrow. Thanks!
Emily says
Thank you for your comment, Natalie, I hope you enjoy it! This recipe is a favorite!
Marinela says
This vegan southwestern tofu scramble is a delicious way to start off your day. Love high protein and delicious breakfasts like this simple plant-based recipe!
Emily says
Thank you for your review, Marinela! I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and found it easy to make!
Julia says
This was such a good tofu scramble recipe. We loved all the different add-ins with the peppers, onions, and tomatoes. This, we will be eating again.
Emily says
Thank you so much for your review, Julia! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe.
Anaiah says
Mmm.. this southwestern tofu scramble was the perfect breakfast idea! The black salt definitely makes it taste more "eggy". I had mine with some roasted potatoes and sliced avocado. Delicious!
Emily says
Thank you for your review, Anaiah! I'm glad to hear that this southwestern tofu scramble was the perfect breakfast idea. Your combination sounds delicious!
Andrea says
Love a good tofu scramble! This recipe is absolutely delicious!
Emily says
Thanks for the review, Andrea, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Kayla says
Yum! I am loving this tofu scramble! I love all the spicy southwestern flavors and it was so filling!
Emily says
Kayla, thank you so much for your review. I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the recipe! This tofu scramble is one of my favorites!
Holly says
Another delicious recipe! We love tofu scrambles and thought the green chiles and kale were great additions.
Emily says
I'm so glad you found the recipe delicious, Holly! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Crystal says
I love tofu scramble and I love the spices that you've added. Thanks so much for this recipe!
Emily says
Thank you for your review, Crystal! I'm glad that you enjoyed the recipe.