Go Back
Three vegan tofu tacos filled with black beans, tomatoes, and cilantro on a blue plate, served with lime wedges and avocado.

High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Tacos with Turmeric Tofu and Salsa

Servings 4 (2 tacos each)
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 Large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan
  • 1 Dry skillet or griddle (for warming tortillas)
  • 1 Spatula or wooden spoon
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • 1 Clean kitchen towel (for pressing tofu)
  • 1 Citrus juicer
  • 1 Clean kitchen towel or tortilla warmer (for keeping tortillas warm)
  • 1 Can opener
  • 1 Colander (for rinsing beans)

Ingredients

  • 1 block 14 oz extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon black salt kala namak, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 small corn tortillas
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 lime cut into wedges
  • Hot sauce to taste

Instructions

  • Remove your block of extra-firm tofu from its packaging and drain off the excess water. Place the tofu on a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels, fold over to wrap completely, and place something heavy on top (a cast-iron skillet or plate with canned goods). Let press for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
    Block of tofu on parchment paper beside a cast iron skillet and small bowl of spices, ready to be seasoned for a vegan taco or tofu scramble.
  • While the tofu is pressing, dice your onion and red bell pepper, mince the garlic, and prepare other ingredients.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and bell peppers, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
    Steaming sautéed bell peppers and onions in a skillet with olive oil and herbs, a flavorful base for vegan tacos or tofu scramble.
  • Crumble the pressed tofu with your hands directly into the pan with the sautéed vegetables. Break it into bite-sized pieces that resemble scrambled eggs—some texture variation adds authenticity.
    Hands adding cubed tofu to a skillet with sautéed tomatoes and onions, beginning the main cooking stage for vegan tacos or tofu scramble.
  • Add the minced garlic, turmeric, cumin, smoked paprika, black salt (if using), black pepper, and nutritional yeast to the pan, stirring to evenly coat the tofu mixture.
    Sprinkling turmeric and spices over cubed tofu, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers in a skillet while cooking vegan tacos or tofu scramble.
  • Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the moisture evaporates and the tofu starts to brown slightly.
  • Add the drained and rinsed black beans to the tofu mixture, gently folding them in to avoid mashing. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the beans are heated through.
    Pouring black beans into a hot skillet with tofu, turmeric, and bell peppers for vegan taco filling or tofu scramble.
  • While the mixture finishes cooking, warm your corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30-45 seconds per side until they become pliable and develop light golden spots.
    Two corn tortillas being heated in a cast iron skillet for vegan tacos, with lime wedges and warm tortillas in the background.
  • Keep warm tortillas wrapped in a clean kitchen towel or tortilla warmer until ready to serve.
  • To assemble, place two tortillas on each plate, spoon the tofu scramble and black bean mixture onto each one, and top with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and hot sauce if desired.
    High-protein vegan breakfast tacos made with tofu scramble, black beans, and sliced avocado on corn tortillas, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • For the perfect tofu texture, try freezing and thawing your tofu before pressing – this creates pockets that absorb flavors better
  • Don't skip pressing your tofu - this crucial step ensures your scramble won't be watery
  • Toast your spices in the pan for 30 seconds before adding the tofu to intensify their flavors
  • Black salt (kala namak) is worth seeking out for its eggy flavor, but regular salt will work if you can't find it
  • For extra flavor, add a splash of tamari or soy sauce to the tofu while cooking
  • Don't overfill your tacos—you want to be able to fold them without everything spilling out
 
Elevate This Dish
Transform these classic breakfast tacos into something extraordinary with these professional techniques:
 
Southwest Chipotle Variation
Add 1 diced jalapeño with the bell peppers and stir in 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers when adding the spices. Top finished tacos with a dollop of vegan sour cream and a sprinkle of crushed tortilla chips for a smoky, spicy breakfast with Tex-Mex flair.
 
Breakfast Taco Bar
Create an impressive breakfast taco bar for brunch gatherings with the basic scramble plus additional toppings like pickled red onions, diced tomatoes, vegan cheese shreds, roasted corn kernels, and various salsas. Let guests build their own perfect breakfast tacos for an interactive meal that accommodates all preferences.
 
Mediterranean-Inspired Tacos
Replace the cumin and smoked paprika with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme. After cooking, top with diced cucumbers, kalamata olives, a squeeze of lemon instead of lime, and a sprinkle of dairy-free feta for breakfast tacos with Mediterranean flair.
 
Serving & Pairing
These versatile breakfast tacos work beautifully for breakfast, brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner occasions.
 
Serving Suggestions
  • Serve with a side of roasted breakfast potatoes or sweet potato home fries
  • Add a bright citrus salad with orange segments and mint for a refreshing contrast
  • Include sliced fresh fruit or a fruit salad for a complete breakfast
  • For brunch gatherings, pair with a batch of vegan mini muffins
  • Serve on a colorful platter with extra lime wedges and cilantro sprigs for an impressive presentation
 
Beverage Pairings
  • Freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Spicy tomato juice or virgin Bloody Mary
  • Coffee with cinnamon and plant milk
  • Hibiscus tea (hot or iced)
  • Mimosas for weekend celebrations
 
Storage & Leftovers
These breakfast tacos components store well and can be repurposed for quick meals over several days if stored properly.
  • Store the tofu scramble mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
  • Keep tortillas in their original packaging or wrapped in foil at room temperature
  • Store cut avocado with the pit in an airtight container with a squeeze of lime juice to prevent browning
  • For meal prep, portion the tofu scramble into individual containers for quick breakfasts
  • Reheat the scramble in a skillet with a splash of water to restore moisture, then assemble fresh tacos
  • Repurpose leftover scramble in a breakfast burrito, grain bowl, or as a filling for a tofu breakfast sandwich
 
Nutrition Information
  • Calories: 320 per serving (2 tacos)
  • Protein: 15g per serving
  • Fiber: 8g per serving
  • Fat: 15g per serving (primarily from olive oil and avocado)
  • Carbohydrates: 32g per serving
  • Iron: 20% DV per serving
  • Calcium: 15% DV per serving
 
These high-protein vegan breakfast tacos provide an excellent balance of macronutrients to fuel your morning. For a lower-fat version, use water or vegetable broth for sautéing instead of oil and reduce the amount of avocado. For a lower-carb option, use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas or serve the scramble over cauliflower rice. To boost nutrients further, add more colorful vegetables like spinach, kale, or mushrooms to the scramble.
Calories: 320kcal
Cost: $12
Course: Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Black bean breakfast tacos, Egg-free breakfast tacos, Healthy vegan Mexican breakfast, High-protein vegan breakfast, Nutritional yeast recipes, Plant-based breakfast recipes, Protein-packed vegan tacos, Quick vegan breakfast ideas, Tofu scramble tacos, Vegan breakfast tacos