General Tso's Tofu

5 from 2 votes

This 15-minute General Tso's tofu recipe tosses crispy fried tofu in a savory, sweet, and tangy sauce, just like the takeout classic. It’s a foolproof and budget-friendly meal to enjoy with rice and veggies!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Asian

Diet: Vegan

Servings: to 4

Calories: 605kcal

Author: Toni Okamoto

Equipment

Ingredients

General Tso's Sauce:

½ cup of vegetable broth
3 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
1 tablespoon of chili sauce
2 ½ teaspoons of cornstarch

Tofu:

16 ounces of super firm tofu, cubed
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
5 tablespoons of high heat oil, divided
1 tablespoon of minced ginger
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes

Instructions

In a small bowl, add the vegetable broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and chili sauce. Mix well and then add in the cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix the soy sauce, and cornstarch. Add the tofu cubes and coat well.
Heat a large non-stick pan over high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of oil and spread it all over the pan. Once the oil is hot, lower the heat to medium and add the tofu in a single layer. Work in batches if your pan is not big enough. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes or until desired crispiness is achieved.
Remove them from the pan and set aside in a bowl.
Place the pan back on medium high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Mix well for 20 seconds.
Lower the heat to a medium low, add the sauce and whisk until it begins to thicken.
Add the tofu. Mix well and serve hot.

Notes

Add in steamed broccoli and serve over rice.

Use the right tofu: Super firm tofu or extra firm tofu contains very little excess water, which gives it a tender texture and makes it better at absorbing the flavors of the General Tso’s sauce. Avoid using softer varieties, like medium or soft tofu, as they don’t crisp as well.

Don’t crowd the pan: Fry the tofu cubes in an even layer in the pan, leaving space between each piece. Cook them in batches if they’re overlapping or else they’ll become soggy instead of crispy.

Nutrition