Vegan General Tso's Chicken

Experience the bold, crave-worthy flavors of Vegan General Tso's Chicken—a plant-based twist on the iconic takeout classic! This recipe swaps traditional chicken for extra-crispy tofu, coated in a luscious, sweet-and-spicy sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, and a touch of maple syrup for natural sweetness. Infused with fragrant garlic and ginger, every bite bursts with umami perfection, all while being completely vegan. The dish comes together in just 40 minutes, making it perfect for a quick yet satisfying weeknight dinner. Serve over steaming bowls of jasmine rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables, and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds for maximum flavor and presentation. Ideal for anyone craving Chinese-inspired comfort food with a plant-based twist!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 oz extra-firm tofu
• 6 tbsp cornstarch
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp sriracha or chili paste
• 0.25 cup water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (slurry)
• 2 tbsp water (slurry)
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1

Drain the tofu and press it to remove excess water. Cut it into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2

Place the tofu cubes in a large bowl and sprinkle with 6 tablespoons of cornstarch. Toss gently to coat all sides evenly.

Step 3

Heat 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu cubes and fry until golden and crispy on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Set aside.

Step 5

In a separate medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 6

Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, maple syrup, sriracha, and 1/4 cup of water to the saucepan. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Step 7

Once the sauce is simmering, stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.

Step 8

Add the crispy tofu to the saucepan, gently tossing to coat each piece in the sauce.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with sliced scallions and sesame seeds over your choice of steamed rice or steamed vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(900.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2234.8

Total Fat 171.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.8g
Cholesterol 1.4mg	0%
Sodium 2884.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.3g	0%
Total Sugars 46.3g
Protein 71.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2787.5mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 1330.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.4%

Protein: 12.3%

Carbs: 21.3%