General Tso's Tofu

General Tso's Tofu offers a delicious vegan twist on the classic chicken dish, combining sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. This version features crispy tofu stir-fried in a savory General Tso Sauce, making it a perfect meatless meal option. It's great served with rice or noodles, ideal for either lunch or dinner.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Chinese, American

Diet Vegan

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings serving

Calories 389

Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

For Marinating Tofu

1 lb Tofu extra firm
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Ginger Powder
½ tsp Pepper Powder
Salt to taste
2 tsp Corn Starch
2 tsp All Purpose Flour

For Frying Tofu

2 tbsp Oil neutral cooking oil

For Making General Tso's Sauce

2 tbsp. Sesame Oil
2 tbsp Ginger minced
2 tbsp Garlic minced
7 Dry Red Chili
1½ tbsp White Sugar
1½ tbsp Brown Sugar
2 tsp Hoisin Sauce
¼ cup Soy Sauce low sodium
1½ tbsp Red Pepper Flakes
2 tsp Rice Vinegar
½ cup Vegetable Broth

For Cornstarch Slurry

1 tbsp Cornstarch
3 tbsp Water

For Garnishing

White Sesame Seeds
Cilantro optional
Spring Onions optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Marinating Tofu

In a bowl, combine the cut tofu with garlic, ginger, pepper powder, salt, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour. Mix thoroughly to ensure the tofu is evenly coated with the seasonings.

Frying the Tofu

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Carefully place the marinated tofu pieces in the pan one at a time, ensuring they don't touch to prevent sticking.
Fry the tofu, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides, usually about 2-3 minutes per side.
Once the tofu is golden and crispy, use a slotted spoon to remove the pieces from the oil and set them on a plate lined with paper towels. This helps to drain any excess oil and keeps the tofu crispy for when you mix it into the sauce.

Making General Tso's Tofu

Start by preparing the General Tso's Sauce. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat until it shimmers, then add ginger, garlic, and dry red chili. Sauté until aromatic, releasing their fragrant oils and flavors.
Add both white and brown sugar, stirring continuously until the sugars caramelize, creating a rich and complex base for the sauce. This step adds depth of flavor and sweetness to balance the heat.
Pour in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar. Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Stir everything together well, allowing the ingredients to meld and create a balanced flavor profile.
Next, pour in vegetable broth and let the sauce simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to deepen and intensify. This simmering step helps to blend the flavors seamlessly and develop a rich, savory sauce.
To thicken the sauce, add a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water as specified in the ingredients list), stirring until the sauce reaches a smooth and velvety consistency. This ensures the sauce coats the tofu evenly, creating a luscious texture.
Add the fried tofu pieces to the sauce, gently tossing them to ensure they are fully coated with the flavorful sauce.
Finish by sprinkling white sesame seeds over the dish, adding a nutty aroma and a crunchy texture. Give it one final stir to incorporate the sesame seeds evenly. Your savory and delicious General Tso's Tofu is now ready to be savored and enjoyed!

Serving

Enjoy this Vegan-Friendly General Tso's Tofu alongside white rice, fried rice, noodles, or your favorite dishes for a satisfying and flavorful lunch or dinner experience.

Notes

Here are my tips for making perfect General Tso's Tofu:

Crispy and Pressed Tofu: To achieve that perfectly crunchy texture, begin by thoroughly draining all the water from the tofu. Next, press the tofu for at least 20 minutes to extract as much moisture as possible. You can use a tofu press or simply place the tofu between paper towels and weigh it down with a heavy object, like a skillet or cans of food. These steps are essential because the drier the tofu, the better it fries up, ensuring the crispiness you want in your cooked dish.
Homemade Sauce: Making the General Tso's Sauce from scratch ensures a perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and sticky flavors. For a vegan-friendly dish, make sure to use vegan-friendly soy and hoisin sauces. This homemade approach really elevates the overall taste of the dish.
Sauce Consistency: When preparing the sauce, adjust the thickness to your liking by varying the amount of cornstarch slurry you add. If you prefer a thicker sauce that coats the tofu well, add a bit more slurry towards the end of cooking.
Adjust the Taste Level: Depending on your preference, you can customize the spice level by reducing or increasing the amount of red chili, or by removing the seeds to lower the heat. Additionally, adjust the sweetness to your taste by altering the amount of brown or white sugar. This way, you can tailor the dish to perfectly suit your flavor preferences.
Frying Methods: In this recipe, I've pan-fried the tofu, but feel free to air fry or bake it for similar results. Each method will still yield delicious tofu.
Serving Temperature: Tofu can lose its crispiness if left in the sauce for too long. To maintain the texture, toss the tofu in the sauce just before serving. This keeps the outside crispy and the inside succulent.

Nutrition

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