Kimchi Tofu Scramble (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

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Kimchi Tofu Scramble features chunks of tender tofu scrambled with kimchi, kale and green onions for a tangy flavor filled, healthy vegan breakfast, lunch or dinner! It’s quick, easy and ready in 15 minutes!

Kimchi Tofu Scramble (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (1)

Now thatkimchihas been added to the recipe collection, it’s time to experiment with this spicy, tangy mixture.

And what better way to use it than to make a kimchi tofu scramble. Tofu at times can use a little help, and kimchi is a perfect addition to whip your tofu into shape!

This is my vegan version of a recipe I saw for a kimchi scramble using eggs. This tofu interpretation came out amazing and if you’re a kimchi lover and tofu appreciator, then I think you’ll agree!

I first made this kimchi tofu scramble with spinach (which tasted great, of course!) but ultimately decided to use kale here as we try to use the most nutrient dense foods whenever we can. I loved the kale, it cooks down beautifully adding a nice pop of green.

The seasoning is super simple, letting the kimchi shine through. Use your most fermented batch of kimchi, the ripened flavors will work best when cooking with kimchi.

Looking for more great tofu scramble recipes? Be sure to check out this Southwest Tofu Scramble, Veggie Tofu Scramble, or Tofu Scramble Stuffed Poblanos for a nice change!

Kimchi Tofu Scramble (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2)

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Ingredients You’ll Need

In this easy recipe, crumbled tofu is cooked with kale, tamari and garlic powder, then kimchi is added at the end and gently cooked until warmed through for tangy, spicy and absolutely delicious tofu scramble.

Here is everything you will need:

  • Sesame oil– or your favorite oil.
  • Organic tofu – use regular firm or extra-firm.
  • Kale – use full-grown or baby kale. I used pre-cut for ease. Sub with spinach or chard.
  • Green onion
  • Tamari– or soy sauce, coconut aminos or nama shoyu.
  • Garlic powder
  • Nutritional yeast – optional, but adds a savory, umami, cheesy flavor.
  • Vegan kimchi – make homemade Vegan Kimchi or use your favorite store bought.
  • Cilantro– for a fresh herby finish.
  • Sesame seeds – toasted, black or white.

Kimchi Tofu Scramble (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (3)

How To Make Kimchi Tofu Scramble

  • In a large wok or skillet, heat oil on medium-high, add tofu, crumbling it between your fingers, and cook for about 2 -3 minutes (above left).
  • Next, turn heat to medium, add tamari and garlic powder, give a good stir. Add kale and most of the scallions, cook, stirring occasionally until kale becomes soft and wilts, about 5 – 7 minutes.

Pro Tip: If you don’t want to use your fingers to crumble the tofu, you can always use the back of a fork or break it up with your cooking utensil. Feel free to break the tofu down to your desired texture, chunky or smaller bits. I usually break it up on the chunky side, and after stirring and mixing, it tends to break down on its own just right.

Kimchi Tofu Scramble (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (4)

  • Lastly, add the kimchi with juices, mix and cook just until kimchi has warmed through, about 1 minute. We don’t want to overcook the kimchi or it will destroy some of the health benefits of the probiotics.

Once it’s all cooked and ready to go, you are ready to serve it however you like!

Kimchi Tofu Scramble (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (5)

Serving Suggestions

This tasty kimchi tofu scramble is great alone, but can also be served in a variety of ways! Here are a few of my favorites:

  • Tacos: Make kimchi tofu scramble tacos using corn or flour tortillas (this is tops!).
  • Hot sauce: Add a little sriracha, sambel olek or garlic paste for extra heat.
  • Cream: Try adding a drizzle of this Garlic Miso Cashew Sauce, or for extra heat try this Dynamite SauceorSriracha Cashew Cream. You can control the heat when adding the spice to each of these condiments.
  • Grain: Serve with white rice, brown rice or black rice.
  • Soup: Serve with a bowl of this Garlic Miso Soupor Simple Miso Noodle Soup.
  • Wash it down: For breakfast serve with green tea or lemon water. If you’re a beer drinker, when making for brunch, lunch or dinner an Asian or Mexican beer would be great (Kirin Ichiban, Sapporo, Corona and Dos Esquis are all vegan friendly).

Kimchi Tofu Scramble (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (6)

More Easy Breakfast Recipe

  • Easy Vegan Waffles (a fan favorite!)
  • DIY Muesli
  • Everyday Oatmeal

If you try this kimchi tofu scramble recipe, please let me know!Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

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KIMCHI TOFU SCRAMBLE

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5 from 1 review

Kimchi tofu scramble is another way to enjoy your kimchi for breakfast, lunch or dinner. So easy and delicious!

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Vegansita
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 3
  • Category: Breakfast, Entree
  • Method: stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil, optional
  • 1 block (14 – 16 oz) organic tofu, firm or extra-firm
  • 12 tablespoons tamari
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 45 large leaves of kale, center stem removed and julienned
  • 3 scallions, sliced (divided)
  • 12 tablespoons nutritional yeast, optional
  • 1 cup kimchi

To Serve, optional

  • cilantro sprigs
  • sesame seeds (toasted, black or white)
  • lime wedges
  • 6 corn or flour tortillas

Instructions

Open and drain tofu. No need to press the tofu.

In a large wok or skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add tofu, crumbling between your fingers, cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 -3 minutes.

Turn heat to medium, carefully add tamari and garlic powder, give a good stir. Add kale and 2/3 – 3/4 of the scallions, cook, stirring occasionally until kale becomes soft and wilts, cover partially to help with the process, about 5 – 7 minutes.

Lastly, add the nutritional yeast and kimchi, mix and cook just until kimchi has warmed through, about 1 minute or so. We don’t want to overcook the kimchi or it will destroy some of the health benefits of the probiotics.

If making optional tacos, heat the tortillas. I like to heat mine carefully over a gas burner until lightly charred in spots. Use your preferred method. Layer tortillas with the scramble mixture, add a few sprigs of cilantro, some of the reserved scallions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a squeeze of lime.

Serves 3

Store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, in a covered container.

Notes

Use spinach in place of kale.

Use ripened kimchi, the flavors will be more pronounced. You may prefer fresher kimchi, in which case use your favorite.You may like to chop your kimchi a bit before adding it to the tofu. I kept it as it was but it’s an option.

Try adding a drizzle of this Garlic Miso Cashew Sauce, or for extra heat try the Dynamite Sauce or Sriracha Cashew Cream. You can control the heat when adding the spice to each of these condiments.

Updated: Kimchi Tofu Scramble was originally published in October 2014. It has been updated with new photos and helpful tips in January 2020.

FOLLOW TSVonFacebook,Instagram,PinterestorRSSfor more updates and inspiration!

Kimchi Tofu Scramble (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

FAQs

Is tofu scramble better than 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.

What is tofu scramble made of? ›

This tofu scramble is fast, flavorful, and a wonderful egg-free savory breakfast. Made with spinach, curry powder, nutritional yeast, garlic, and onions, this is the version we've been making for years!

Can tofu scramble be frozen? ›

Freezer: Tofu scramble is freezer friendly and freezes well for up to 2 months. To freeze, let cool completely and store in freezer safe containers (affiliate link). Let thaw before reheating. You can also freeze larger portions in large ziplock bags, squeezing out all the excess air.

How long does tofu scramble last? ›

Store leftover tofu scramble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can reheat the tofu scramble in the microwave, heat for 60 to 9o seconds. You can also place the tofu scramble back into the skillet and reheat on the stove.

Is scrambled tofu good for weight loss? ›

Low calorie density: Tofu is a low-calorie food, with around 80-90 calories per 100 grams, making it a good choice for people trying to lose weight. High in protein: Tofu is a good source of protein, with around 8-10 grams per 100 grams.

What does Gordon Ramsay put in his scrambled eggs? ›

Ingredients
  1. 6 cold eggs.
  2. 15g butter.
  3. Salt and pepper.
  4. Crème fraîche.
  5. Chives.

Is frying tofu unhealthy? ›

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.

Why is tofu not frying? ›

You're not pressing out excess moisture.

Before frying, tofu should be pressed to eliminate any excess water. Sometimes, in a hurry to get dinner done, I skip this step. But I always regret it. The still-sort-of-wet tofu never gets as golden brown or as crisp.

What liquid does tofu sit in? ›

Fresh tofu is always stored in water to keep it hydrated and prevent it from spoiling. If using only half the block, make sure to submerge the other half in water and store it in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

What spices taste like eggs? ›

Luckily for me (and you), there is a magical spice called Kala Namak. Kala Namak, also known as Himalayan Black Salt, is a black salt that tastes just like hardboiled eggs because of the sulfur compounds in it.

Does tofu scramble reheat well? ›

It might dry out a little so add a splash of plant based liquid such as soy milk or coconut milk when reheating it. It will also reheat well in the microwave with no extra liquid needed, but it is best fresh out of the pan. Avoid freezing tofu as it will become watery.

Why does freezing tofu make it better? ›

Freezing tofu is a great way to make your tofu last longer and give it a meatier texture, since the freezing process changes the structure of the product. It's easy to do so with any type of tofu other than silken. Just drain, dry, slice, freeze, and then thaw out when ready to use!

Can you eat eggs and tofu together? ›

I like to use silken tofu or soft tofu, as it pairs perfectly with eggs and is able to soak up all the flavor from the sauce.

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.

When should you throw out tofu? ›

Use all your senses to tell if a food has gone bad by looking, touching and smelling the tofu. Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor.

How much tofu is equivalent to 2 eggs? ›

To make an egg replacement out of silken tofu, just take 1/4 cup of tofu per 1 whole egg and pulse it in a blender or food processor until it's broken up. Then, substitute as you please! Just make sure you use *silken* tofu, not firm tofu, as it won't yield the same result.

Can tofu replace eggs? ›

Yes, tofu can be used as a substitute for eggs in recipes like deviled eggs and egg salad sandwiches. To do this, you should start by pressing the tofu to remove the excess liquid. Then, crumble the tofu and mix it with seasonings, such as nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, and salt and pepper.

What is a healthy substitute for scrambled eggs? ›

I'm still a big fan of tofu scramble as well, but this pumpkin seed egg scramble is another delicious alternative. It's also a perfect allergy-friendly option which is soy free, bean free, gluten-free, oil-free, cholesterol free, and of course cruelty free.

What are the benefits of scrambled tofu? ›

The health benefits of tofu:
  • a source of complete protein.
  • provides protective plant compounds.
  • rich in nutrients.
  • may alleviate peri-menopausal symptoms.
  • may support heart health.
  • may help manage cholesterol.
  • may support blood sugar management.
  • may support bone health.
Jul 31, 2023

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