California breakfast burritos are filled with the best tofu scramble, crispy potatoes, avocado, and melty vegan cheese - a delicious, plant-based protein-packed start to your day!☀️
Why not begin your day sunny-side-up with these vegan California breakfast burritos -a hearty, handheld bundle of pure plant-based comfort. Warm tortillas are filled with flavorful tofu scramble, crispy hash brown potatoes, creamy avocado, melty vegan cheese, and fresh salsa. It's the ultimate vegan breakfast burrito that's as satisfying as it is simple.
Here in San Diego, where burritos are practically a food group, this West Coast classic has become a morning favorite. My version celebrates all the delicious flavors of a traditional California breakfast burrito - minus the eggs and dairy - using wholesome, everyday ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Whether you're fueling up for an early surf session or just easing into your day with a cup of coffee, these tofu and potato filled breakfast burritos hit that perfect balance of protein, texture, and flavor. They're quick to make, easy to customize, and so good you might find yourself rolling up another one before lunch. Maybe dinner!
Table of Contents
☀️ What is a California breakfast burrito?
The origin of the "California Burrito" is attributed to the renowned Roberto's Taco Shop chain of fast food Mexican restaurants that first opened in San Diego in the 1960's. The original California Burrito consisted of carne asada, cheese, and French fries rolled into a flour tortilla.
Later on, the "California Breakfast Burrito" evolved. By replacing the meat with scrambled eggs and the fries with hash brown potatoes, breakfast burritos quickly became a favorite with local surfers as a fast & easy meal to enjoy before or after a morning session.
In this vegan California breakfast burrito recipe, the star of the show is a plant-based version of scrambled eggs, made with a super tasty tofu scramble perfectly seasoned to give it a true "eggy" flavor.
Ready to make the best breakfast burritos? Let's do this!
☀️ Ingredients
🥕See the printable recipe card below for quantities & details
Tofu - For this recipe, I prefer medium or firm. Tofu firmnesses will vary depending on the brands you use, so look for a texture that is similar to cooked scrambled eggs.
Seasonings - The secret to making a vegan scramble that looks and tastes like eggs is the seasonings. For this recipe I used: Himalayan black salt (aka Kala Namak) which adds an eggy flavor, turmeric which contributes a natural sunny yellow color, plus cumin and garlic powder - adding just the right touch of southwestern spice.
O'Brien style potatoes or hash brown potatoes (frozen) - O'Briens are my first choice because they include chopped onions and bell peppers, which adds flavor. You can also use frozen hash browns, french fries, or even tater tots. If you prefer making your own hash brown potatoes from scratch, go for it! I opted to use frozen to save time and for convenience.
Vegan cheese - cheddar, jack, pepper jack, any sliceable or shreddable plant-based cheese of your choice. I used cheese slices that I cut into thin strips.
Flour tortillas - soft, fresh tortillas roll the easiest without tearing. I like using large burrito-size (10"-12") tortillas that hold lots of scramble and fillings.
Avocado - cut in slices or mashed. Packaged guacamole is also an option.
Tomatoes - freshly diced or sliced
Olive oil - or your choice of cooking oil such as canola or avocado oil.
Salsa - I like a medium-hot chunky salsa, but you can use whatever suits your taste, such as pico de gallo, salsa verde, Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce.
☀️ Add-in Ideas
Have fun building your burrito by adding extras, such as:
- Refried pinto beans or black beans
- Vegan chorizo or soyrizo
- Mexican rice
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Roasted jalapeños or grilled peppers
- Sautéed veggies
- Vegan sour cream
- Cilantro
- Spinach
- Black olives
- Onions
☀️ Instructions
First - prepare the potatoes
Prepare the frozen potatoes per the package directions.
Cook until nicely browned, then set aside.
Next - make the tofu scramble
- Drain liquid from tofu (see FAQ's below). Use a fork to break up the tofu into scramble-size pieces.
2. Pour oil into a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped tofu. Mix the spices with water and pour over the tofu.
3. Thoroughly combine the spices with the tofu while cooking over medium heat. Allow to cook for a few minutes, until the liquid is fully absorbed. Remove from heat.
How to build the best vegan California breakfast burritos
How to build the best California breakfast burritos
As soon as the tofu is cooked, it's time to assemble the burritos. Here's how:
1.Spoon a generous amount of tofu scramble and potatoes lengthwise in the center of a tortilla.
2. Add slices of cheese and avocado.
3. Top with chopped tomatoes and salsa. Add any extras you might like.
4. Fold the sides of the tortilla toward the center.
5. Fold one side over, then neatly roll the tortilla & fillings into a snuggly swaddled burrito. Seal the edge of the tortilla (like an envelope) with a small amount of water.
6. Place the burrito with sealed-edge down onto a lightly oiled cast iron or non-stick hot skillet just long enough to lightly brown it. Repeat by gently flipping the burrito over once.
Enjoy the burritos while they're nice & hot, with extra salsas and guacamole.
☀️ Pro tips for perfect breakfast burritos
- Buy big burrito-size flour tortillas. The fresher the better - they need to be nice & soft to roll easily without tearing or cracking. Be sure to check that they are made with vegetable oil and not lard.
- Use the right tofu texture. Medium or firm tofu works best for a fluffy, egg-like scramble. Avoid silken - it's too soft for this recipe.
- Don't skip the seasoning. Kala Namak (black salt) adds that unmistakable "eggy" flavor that makes your scramble shine.
- Crisp those potatoes. Let your hash browns get golden and crunchy before assembling for the best contrast of textures.
- Roll it tight. Think "snug, not squished." A tight roll helps everything stay in place when you toast it.
- Make it your own. Mix in vegan sausage, mushrooms, or a handful of spinach for extra color and flavor.
- Prep ahead, but roll fresh. You can make the tofu scramble, potatoes, and fillings a day ahead, but assemble and toast your burritos just before serving so the tortillas stay soft and the avocado doesn't brown.
☀️ Grab & go style
Want to enjoy your burrito on the run? Simply wrap it in a sheet of parchment paper. To keep the heat in, add a layer of foil.
☀️ Make a build-your-own burrito bar
Enjoy the best brunch by setting up a build-your-own burrito bar with bowls of tofu scramble, hash brown or roasted potatoes, vegan cheese, and toppings like salsa, guacamole, and sautéed veggies. Everyone can roll their own and make it just the way they like it. Offer a side of refreshing watermelon mango pico de gallo for a picture perfect plate!
Whether you're meal-prepping for the week, hosting a cozy breakfast or brunch with friends, or simply craving a quick, nourishing bite, this recipe brings all the California sunshine to your kitchen. No surfboard required!
☀️ Breakfast Burrito FAQ's
Tofu is usually packaged in water. Before you use it, you will need to drain off all of the water and press any excess liquid out of the tofu. This will make the tofu absorb marinades and seasonings much better.
One method to press tofu is by sandwiching the tofu between two cutting boards. I suggest first slicing the block of tofu into 1″- 2″ thick slabs. Press down or place heavy cans or books on top and let it sit for 10-15 minutes (on a slight slant so the liquid drains into a bowl or sink). The simplest and fastest way is by using a tofu press.
Burritos are best eaten immediately, before the tortillas get soggy. If you need to keep them warm, wrap the hot burritos in a layer of parchment paper and then wrap securely with foil. Place them on a baking dish in a low oven <200℉ up to 15 minutes, or, if you are traveling, in a thermal insulated bag for a short period of time. Like any cooked food, don't allow it to sit out for long. See the food safety recommendations below the recipe.
You can definitely get a head start! The tofu scramble, potatoes, cheese, and tomatoes can all be prepped a day ahead and stored separately in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat the scramble and potatoes, then assemble and roll your burritos fresh.
I don't recommend making the burritos themselves too far in advance, as the tortillas can become soft or soggy once filled. For the best texture and flavor, build and toast them right before serving. If you're using avocado, add it at the last minute so it stays bright and green, rather than turning brown.
Medium or firm tofu works best because it holds texture similar to eggs. Silken tofu tends to be too soft and watery.
Try mixing in black beans, lentils, or vegan sausage crumbles for an extra boost of plant-based protein.
Absolutely! Use your favorite gluten-free tortillas or even large collard greens as wraps for a lighter, grain-free version. Make sure any other packaged products you use are labeled certified gluten-free.
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Recipe
Vegan California Breakfast Burrito
Equipment
- large skillet or frying pan
- Tofu press or two cutting boards and a few heavy cans or books for weights
- spatula or turner
Ingredients
- 14 oz tofu medium/firm (one package)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil of your choice
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan black salt kala namak
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin ground
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 28 oz hash brown potatoes frozen (I used O'Brien style potatoes, prepared per package instructions)
- 6 large flour tortillas 10"-12" burrito size
- 1 large avocado sliced or mashed
- 1 large tomato fresh - diced
- ½ cup vegan cheese sliced or shredded
- ⅓ cup salsa or pico de gallo or hot sauce (your choice)
Instructions
- Cook the hash brown potatoes according to the package directions.
- While the potatoes cook, you can prep your other burrito fillings. Slice or grate vegan cheese, dice tomato, slice avocado (a squeeze of lemon or lime juice will help prevent it from discoloring).
- Next, make the tofu scramble.
How to prepare the Tofu Scramble
- Drain liquid from the package of tofu and gently squeeze out excess with a tofu press or sandwich the block of tofu between two cutting boards and press down. It's ok if some liquid remains.
- Use a fork to chop up the tofu into scramble-size pieces.
- Pour oil into skillet over medium heat. Place the chopped tofu into skillet.
- Mix the spices into ¼ cup of water. Pour over the tofu. Thoroughly combine while cooking over medium heat.
- Continue cooking the tofu or a few minutes, flipping it over with a spoon or spatula until all the liquid cooks off. Remove from heat.
How to build a Vegan California Breakfast Burrito
- Place a tortilla on a flat surface. Spoon an equal amount of tofu scramble and potatoes onto the center of the tortilla.
- Add slices of cheese and avocado.
- Top with diced tomatoes, salsa and any other add-ins you like.
- Sprinkle with ground pepper and salt if desired.
- Fold the sides of the tortilla toward the center.
- Fold one end over, then neatly roll the tortilla & fillings into a snug burrito. Apply a small amount of water along the open edge, then lightly press and seal it like an envelope.
- Place burrito sealed side down onto a lightly oiled cast iron or non-stick hot skillet just long enough to lightly brown it. Gently flip the burrito over and heat the other side until lightly brown.
- Remove from pan and enjoy while it's hot!
Notes
🥕Add-ins
The beauty of burritos is you can add anything you like to make it your own!- Refried pinto beans or black beans
- Vegan chorizo or soyrizo
- Mexican rice
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Sautéed veggies
- Roasted jalapeños or grilled peppers
- Vegan sour cream
- Cilantro
- Spinach
- Onions
Grab & Go Style
Want to enjoy your burrito on the run? Simply wrap it in a sheet of parchment paper. To keep the heat in, add a layer of foil. Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on the choice of ingredients you use or may add-in, (including salt), as well as the type of hash brown potatoes and method you use to prepare them, which may require additional oil. I used O'Brien style hash browns in this recipe.Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Yes Milady! says
Thank you for making this recipe and posting wonderful photos. It looks absolutely delicious and easy to make. Thank you for trying Eggcellent.
Connie Edwards McGaughy says
My pleasure! I'm a super fan!!! 💚 Eggcellent!
Connie Edwards McGaughy says
What a deliciously simple and satisfying way to start the day! This vegan California breakfast burrito recipe is loaded with everything you need to know to wrap up a great grab & go meal!