Vegetarian General Tso's Chicken

Get ready to take your taste buds on a flavorful journey with this irresistible Vegetarian General Tso's Chicken! This plant-based twist on the classic Chinese-American dish swaps crispy tofu for chicken while keeping all the bold, savory, and slightly sweet flavors you love. Coated in a sticky, garlicky sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin, and a hint of fiery dried red chilies, this dish is perfectly balanced with tender-crisp broccoli florets and garnished with scallions and sesame seeds for added flair. Whether served over fluffy steamed rice or silky noodles, it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and comforting. Quick to prepare and packed with protein, this vegetarian delight is perfect for anyone seeking a healthier, meat-free alternative without sacrificing taste.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 oz firm tofu
• 4 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 3 dried red chilies
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 0.5 cup water
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1

Press the tofu: Wrap the tofu in paper towels and place something heavy on top, like a skillet, to press out excess liquid for about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Cut the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes and toss them in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to coat evenly.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes in batches and cook until golden and crispy on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add another 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, and dried red chilies, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add broccoli florets to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until they become tender-crisp.

Step 6

In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and 1/2 cup water to create the sauce.

Step 7

Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the broccoli, stirring to combine.

Step 8

Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry. Add this to the skillet and stir well until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.

Step 9

Return the crispy tofu to the skillet, gently stirring to coat it with the sauce.

Step 10

Garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

Step 11

Serve the Vegetarian General Tso's Chicken hot, optionally with steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1028.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1463.3

Total Fat 93.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 42.4g
Cholesterol 1.4mg	0%
Sodium 2659.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 122.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.5g	0%
Total Sugars 47.7g
Protein 61.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 789.9mg	0%
Iron 13.1mg	0%
Potassium 1414.5mg	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: 53.3%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 31.1%