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Vegan Breakfast Burrito Recipe


  • Author: Bianca

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: For sautéing the vegetables and tofu scramble. Provides healthy fats.
  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion: Finely chopped. Forms the aromatic base of the filling.
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper: Seeded and diced. Adds sweetness, color, and Vitamin C.
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper: Seeded and diced. Contributes a slightly more savory pepper flavor and more color.
  • 2 Cloves Garlic: Minced. Enhances the savory depth of the filling.
  • 1 block (14-16 oz) Extra-Firm Tofu: Pressed for at least 20 minutes (or firm tofu). This is the base for our vegan “egg” scramble. Pressing removes excess water for better texture.
  • 1 can (15 oz) Black Beans: Rinsed and drained. Adds plant-based protein, fiber, and a classic burrito element.
  • 1 cup Frozen or Canned Corn: Thawed if frozen, drained if canned. Provides bursts of sweetness and texture.
  • 1 cup Fresh Spinach: Roughly chopped. Wilts down easily, adding nutrients and color. Kale can also be used.
  • 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast: Provides a savory, cheesy, umami flavor, crucial for mimicking egg/cheese notes. Also a source of B vitamins (check if fortified).
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin: Adds earthy warmth.
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder: Provides mild heat and classic Tex-Mex flavor. Adjust to your preference.
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika: Lends a subtle smoky flavor, enhancing the overall depth.
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric: Primarily for giving the tofu scramble a yellow, “eggy” color, plus anti-inflammatory benefits.
  • 1/4 tsp Black Salt (Kala Namak): Optional, but highly recommended. This volcanic salt has a sulfuric aroma and taste that remarkably mimics cooked eggs. Use sparingly.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: To taste. Adjust seasoning throughout the cooking process.
  • 46 Large Flour Tortillas: (approx. 1012 inches). Choose tortillas that are soft and pliable. Whole wheat or gluten-free options work well too.
  • Optional Fillings/Toppings: Cooked diced potatoes or sweet potatoes, vegan cheese shreds, avocado slices or guacamole, salsa, vegan sour cream, fresh cilantro, hot sauce, jalapeños.

Instructions

  1. Press the Tofu: If you haven’t already, press the block of extra-firm tofu. You can use a tofu press or place the block between two plates, weigh the top plate down with heavy cans or books, and let it sit for at least 20-30 minutes to drain excess water. This step is crucial for achieving a firmer, less watery scramble. Once pressed, gently pat it dry.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the tofu is pressing, prepare your vegetables. Finely chop the yellow onion, dice the red and green bell peppers, and mince the garlic cloves. Rinse and drain the black beans and corn (if canned). Roughly chop the fresh spinach. Having everything prepped (mise en place) makes the cooking process smoother.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil or avocado oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the chopped onion and diced bell peppers. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and the peppers soften slightly.
  4. Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Make the Tofu Scramble: Crumble the pressed tofu directly into the skillet with your hands, breaking it into bite-sized, irregular pieces resembling scrambled eggs. Stir to combine with the vegetables.
  6. Season the Scramble: Sprinkle the nutritional yeast, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, turmeric, and optional black salt (kala namak) over the tofu. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the tofu is evenly coated with the spices and takes on a vibrant yellow hue from the turmeric.
  7. Cook the Tofu: Continue cooking the tofu mixture over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow the tofu to brown slightly and cook through. This develops its flavor and texture. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Remember that black beans will add some saltiness later, so season accordingly.
  8. Incorporate Beans, Corn, and Spinach: Add the rinsed and drained black beans and corn to the skillet. Stir to combine and allow them to heat through for about 2-3 minutes.
  9. Wilt the Spinach: Add the chopped fresh spinach to the skillet. It will look like a lot initially, but it will wilt down quickly. Stir gently until the spinach is just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Avoid overcooking the spinach.
  10. Final Taste and Adjustment: Taste the filling mixture and adjust seasonings if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, chili powder, or nutritional yeast according to your preference. If adding pre-cooked potatoes or sweet potatoes, stir them in now to heat through. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  11. Warm the Tortillas: Warming the tortillas makes them more pliable and easier to roll without tearing. You can warm them one by one in a dry skillet for about 15-20 seconds per side, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds, or wrap the stack in foil and warm in a low oven (300°F / 150°C) for a few minutes.
  12. Assemble the Burritos: Lay a warm tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spoon a generous amount of the tofu scramble filling (about 1/4 to 1/6 of the total, depending on tortilla size and how many you’re making) onto the center of the tortilla, slightly towards the bottom edge. Leave space around the edges. Add any optional fillings now, like vegan cheese shreds or avocado slices.
  13. Fold the Burritos: To fold, first fold the bottom edge up and over the filling tightly. Then, fold in the two sides towards the center. Finally, holding the sides tucked in, roll the burrito up tightly from the bottom to the top, enclosing the filling completely. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
  14. Optional Sear: For a crispy exterior and to help seal the burrito, you can sear the folded burritos. Heat a clean, dry skillet (or use a tiny bit of oil) over medium heat. Place the burrito seam-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown. This step adds great texture.
  15. Serve: Serve the vegan breakfast burritos immediately while warm, either whole or sliced in half diagonally. Offer desired toppings like salsa, guacamole, vegan sour cream, or hot sauce on the side.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 650
  • Fiber: 15g
  • Protein: 25g