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completed General Tso's Tofu plated
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5 from 3 votes

General Tso's Tofu

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 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 2 to 4
Calories: 802kcal
Author: Toni Okamoto

Equipment

Ingredients

General Tso's Sauce:

  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable broth
  • 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons (37 g) sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) chili sauce
  • 2 ½ teaspoons (7 g) cornstarch

Tofu:

  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons (24 g) cornstarch
  • 16 ounces (454 g) super firm tofu pressed and cubed
  • 5 Tablespoons (75 ml) high-heat oil divided
  • 1 Tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix the vegetable broth, low-sodium soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and chili sauce.
    Sauce ingredients in a white bowl with a whisk
  • Add the 2 ½ teaspoons of cornstarch, mix well, and set the sauce aside.
    Sauce whisked together in a white bowl
  • In a medium bowl, mix the 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce and 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch.
    Cornstarch and soy sauce whisked together in a metal bowl
  • Add the tofu cubes and toss to coat.
    Tofu cubes added to the soy sauce and cornstarch mixture
  • Heat 3 Tablespoons of oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat.
  • Once the oil is hot, lower the heat to medium and add the tofu in a single layer, working in batches if your pan is not big enough.
    Coated tofu cubes frying in a large pan
  • Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until crispy.
  • Transfer the tofu to a bowl and set it aside.
    Fried tofu cubes in a white bowl
  • Return the pan to medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 Tablespoons of oil.
  • Add the ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes and stir for 20 seconds.
    Minced ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes cooking in the pan
  • Lower the heat to medium-low, add the sauce, and whisk until it begins to thicken.
    Sauce being stirred in the pan as it thickens
  • Add the tofu back to the pan, toss to coat, and serve hot.
    Fried tofu being added to the sauce in the pan

Notes

  • Serve it up: Add steamed broccoli and serve over rice.
  • Use the right tofu: Super firm or extra firm tofu has very little excess water, so it stays tender and soaks up the General Tso's sauce. Avoid medium or soft tofu, since they don't crisp as well.
  • Don't crowd the pan: Fry the tofu cubes in an even layer, leaving space between each piece. Cook in batches if they overlap, or they'll steam instead of getting crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 802kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Sodium: 2075mg | Potassium: 541mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 4mg
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