Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry 番茄炒蛋 (Authentic Easy Recipe) (2024)

5 from 20 votes

Ultimate Comfort Food: This Chinese tomato egg stir-fry is a classic comfort food that many Chinese people grew up eating. The combination of fluffy scrambled eggs and tangy tomato flavor is sure to take you down memory lane.

Healthy: Who said tasty food can’t be healthy? This tomato egg stir-fry is not only delicious but it is also packed with essential nutrients. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins and fiber, while eggs provide high-quality protein. This dish is a healthy choice that doesn't compromise on taste.

Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and simple for authentic flavors in each bite, with most of the work involving basic chopping and whisking. The egg mixture is scrambled to perfection and the tomatoes are stir-fried just right, guaranteeing a quick and easy cooking process.

All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious tomato egg recipe at home.

Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this Chinese egg tomato stir fry recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.

• Tomatoes: These are the star of the show in our Chinese tomato egg stir-fry recipe. They provide a rich tomato flavor to the dish that takes it to the next level. There is no right or wrong type of tomato to use for this dish, it works with any kind of tomato. I like to use baby tomatoes occasionally because I find them a bit more flavorful and sweeter. The downside to this is that there is a lot more tomato skin to eat.
• Onion: The sliced onions add a subtle sweetness and a little bit of crunch to the dish.
• Green Onions: Green onions add a lot of great flavor to this dish. You should add it at the very end after you turn off the heat to retain the flavor. Don't worry, the residual heat from the sauce will cook it. If you don't have green onions, you can also use a small yellow onion and stir fry it with the ginger.
• Ginger: Gives the dish a warm, spicy aroma that compliments the savory sauce. It’s one of the main flavors in the sauce so you shouldn’t omit or substitute this.

Making this incredible tomato egg recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:

Preparation Process

Prepare your Ingredients: Begin by washing the tomatoes and chopping them into bite-sized pieces. Slice the onions and ginger, and cut the green onions into thin 2-inch lengthwise pieces. Set all these aside for later.

Mix your Sauces and Whisk the Eggs: In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients listed under 'Tomato Sauce' on your recipe. In another separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and seasonings listed under 'Scrambled Eggs'. Set these mixtures aside.

Heat your Pan: Set your stove to medium heat. Add a bit of vegetable oil to a nonstick skillet and wait until it starts to smoke slightly.

Cook your Eggs: Once the pan is hot, pour in your egg mixture. As the edges begin to set and bubble, push the corners into the center of the pan.

Tilt the Pan and Push the Corners In: Tilt the pan to allow the uncooked egg to flow to the edges, and push the corners in again. Repeat this process until the eggs are cooked, but be careful not to overcook them. Break the cooked eggs into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.

Toast Ginger: With the stove still on medium heat, add a bit more oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add in the ginger and toast it until it turns a light brown color. This will release the ginger flavor into the oil.

Softening Onions: After the ginger has browned, add in the onions. Cook these until they become soft and translucent.

Cook Tomatoes: Once the onions have softened, add in the chopped tomatoes and your prepared tomato sauce mix. Then cook this for about three to four minutes, or five to six minutes if you prefer a saucier tomato egg. Be careful not to overcook the tomatoes, as you want them to remain somewhat chunky.

Taste and Adjust: After the tomatoes have cooked, taste the sauce. If it is too sour, add half a teaspoon of honey or sugar and taste again. Adjust the sweetness to your preference.

Add the Eggs and Green Onions: Turn off the heat and add the scrambled eggs and green onions to the pan. Mix these together until the eggs are well coated with the sauce.Don't worry the green onions will wilt from the residual heat.

Final touches: Before serving, remove the ginger slices. Enjoy your Chinese tomato egg stir-fry with a bowl of steamed rice!

Joyce’s Tips For Making the Best Tomato Egg

Try this Quicker Version: If you are pressed for time, you can alter this recipe to be more traditional and use ketchup. If you use ketchup, remove the tomato paste, white vinegar, and honey from the recipe and replace it with ½ cup of ketchup instead.

Maintain a Balanced Tomato-to-Egg Ratio: For every large tomato you use, add one egg. This ratio provides a balanced tomato flavor and scrambled egg mixture in every bite.

Add Oil to the Scrambled Egg for Added Fluffiness: A touch of oil in your scrambled egg mixture before frying will give you a fluffier scrambled egg.

Adjust the Sweetness According to Your Tomatoes: Tomatoes can vary in tartness. If your dish tastes too sour, add honey or sugar, a half teaspoon at a time, until you reach your preferred sweetness.

Don't Substitute Black Pepper for White Pepper: It may be tempting to replace white pepper with black, but if you don't have white pepper then don't use any pepper. The two offer different flavors, and black pepper will overpower this recipe.

Substitute Onions If You Don't have Green Onions: If green onions are not available, use a small, sliced onion stir-fried with the ginger. This will still give your tomato dish a delightful onion flavor and aroma.

Double Up the Sauce: Double up the tomato sauce to make more sauce if you like this dish saucier! Alternatively, if you like it less saucy then cut the amount of the tomato sauce section by half.

This delicious tomato egg recipe is so flavorful and easy to make, you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:

Make it saucier: If you enjoy a rich, savory sauce, double the ingredients in the 'Tomato Sauce' section of the recipe. This will result in a more robust tomato flavor and a saucier dish, perfect for serving over steamed rice.

Spice it up: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add a finely chopped red chili or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes when you add the tomatoes. This will give your dish a spicy kick that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the tomatoes.

Add some greens: If you want to incorporate more fiber into your meal, try adding some chopped spinach or bok choy into the stir-fry towards the end of cooking. This will add a nice crunch and additional nutrients to your dish. Garnish with some fresh herbs for added freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any leftover tomato egg, you can easily store it by placing the leftover stir-fried tomatoes and scrambled egg in an airtight container and storing it in the fridge. It should last in the refrigerator for about two to three days.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, take the container out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat, add a bit of vegetable oil, then add the leftover Chinese tomato egg stir-fry. Stir gently until it is heated through.

Alternatively, you can also microwave it for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 1 minute to ensure that it is heated through evenly.

Unfortunately, this delicious Chinese tomato egg stir-fry recipe doesn't freeze well. The texture of the tomatoes and eggs changes drastically when frozen and thawed, which can ruin the dish's appealing consistency.

The egg mixture, when frozen, tends to become rubbery, and the tomatoes lose their fresh, juicy tomato flavor. It is best to enjoy this dish fresh or refrigerated for a few days.

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