30-minute General Tso’s Tofu, a plant-based version of one of the most popular Chinese takeout dishes. Spicy-sweet, high in protein, super flavorful, healthier and lighter than the traditional recipe.
I’ve never tried general Tso’s chicken because it’s (almost) impossible to find it here in Spain, but I’ve seen the recipe a long time ago and it was love at first sight, I knew I’d love it. As I tried to avoid fried foods as much as I can, I forget about it, until last month, when I decided to make a healthier, lighter version using tofu instead of chicken and a little bit of extra virgin olive oil (for an oil-free version, omit the oil and bake the tofu until golden brown).
This dish is INSANE!!! I think it’s my all-time favorite tofu recipe, it’s SO GOOD and I wish I had tried it before. It’s similar to the sweet and sour pork you can find at Chinese restaurants here in Spain, but even better and of course cruelty-free.
OUR LATEST VIDEOSFor those of you who don’t know general Tso’s chicken, it’s a a sweet, deep-fried chicken dish that is served in North American Chinese restaurants. We’ve used only a little bit of oil to cook the tofu and also made a less spicy version, but add as much oil and cayenne powder as you want.
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General Tso’s Tofu
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-4
30-minute General Tso’s Tofu, a plant-based version of one of the most popular Chinese takeout dishes. Spicy-sweet, high in protein, super flavorful, healthier and lighter than the traditional recipe.
Ingredients
For the general Tso’s tofu:
- 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 10 ounces firm tofu (275 g), cubed
- 6 tbsp cornstarch
- Extra virgin olive to taste
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
For the sauce:
- 3 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp vegetable stock or water
- 3 tbsp cane, coconut or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/8 tsp cayenne powder
Instructions
- Mix tamari and vinegar in a bowl until well combined.
- Add the tofu cubes and let rest for at least 5 minutes.
- Drain the tofu and transfer 1/3 of the tofu cubes to a freezer bag with 2 tbsp of cornstarch and toss to coat. Repeat this step with the rest of the tofu and cornstarch. Add more cornstarch if needed.
- Cook the tofu cubes in a skillet with a little bit of oil over medium-high heat until all sides are golden brown. Remove tofu from pan and set aside.
- Add the garlic to the skillet and cook them over medium-high heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently until they start to golden brown.
- To make the sauce just mix all the ingredients until well combined.
- Add the sauce to the skillet and cook until it thickens, stirring frequently.
- Finally, add the tofu, stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Remove pan from heat and serve with some white rice and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped chives (optional).
- Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- If you don’t eat tofu, you could use cauliflower instead. I’ve seen some recipes online, but I’ve never tried it myself.
- For an oil-free version of this recipe, bake the tofu at 350ºF or 180ºC until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 237
- Sugar: 7.4 g
- Sodium: 1054 mg
- Fat: 13.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22.3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8.1 g
This looks incredibly good! This is a perfect-sounding recipe for me and I’m hoping my husband will like it too.
Hi Linda! Thanks a lot 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
Beautiful; perfect. And nice photos. Merci mille fois.
Hi Gina! Thank you so much 🙂
Do you bake the tofu before or after marinating?
Hi Kelli! I would bake the tofu after marinating 🙂
I made this last night. Delicious! I added a little sesame oil to the olive oil for frying the tofu, for extra flavor, then I stir-fried some Asian vegetables and thin noodles and added the tofu and sauce. So I guess what I ended up with wasn’t exactly General Tso’s tofu, but it was really good and I will definitely make it again! Thanks!
★★★★★
Hi Carolyn! Sounds SO GOOD 🙂 So glad you liked it!
this is so, so good. i will definitely make this again! i used an entire 14 oz block of tofu so i increased the sauce recipe. i also added veggies. thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Hi Claire! Thanks a lot 😀 Have a nice day!
Hi guys.
I just did this and let me tell you, it blew our minds! Amazing! I can hardly type, and I think I’ll have to call an ambulance. Of course, I’ve made too much, what do you think? But there are no leftovers to bear witness. The use of brown sugar was genius! So freaking good!
I have to lie down now. But congratulations!
Hi Alexandre! Hahaha thanks a lot for your kind words, so glad you liked it so much! Happy 2018!
Awesome recipe!! My husband and I just recently started eating tofu. I have tried about 5 different recipes of how to cook tofu, and by far, this is the BEST recipe that I have come across. I did not have cayenne powder but used Cajun seasoning instead. It tasted just fine, but not very spicey. I will be sure to get cayenne powder next time. Thanks for the recipe, we Loved it!!
★★★★★
Hi Danielle! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you liked it so much!
Do you drain (squeeze the water out) of the tofu before you chop and marinade it? Or do you use it straight from the packaging?
I was wondering the same thing.
Just re-read recipe found that Step 3 says to drain the Tofu.
Hi Ellen! I used it straight from the packaging. In step number 3 you need to drain the tofu to discard the marinade 🙂
Hi Vincent! I used it straight from the packaging. In step number 3 you need to drain the tofu to discard the marinade 🙂
Very good, but it was on the salty side. I would double the water in the sauce. Other than that, it was very good.
★★★★
Hi Jazzmyn! Thanks a lot 🙂 As you drain the marinade, it’s not that salty, but feel free to add more water if you want. Have a nice day!
I definitely enjoyed it. Made it for my wife and I. Both of us trying to eat better, and I was in a rut so I gave this General Tso’s Tofu a try. It was easy to make, and packed a seriously flavorful punch. I cut back the sugar a bit, and I think I would use a tiny bit less vinegar next time I make it. Nicely done though.
★★★★
Hi Mike! So glad you liked it 🙂 Have a nice day!
I have been obsessed with General Tso’s for years. I have stories about this dish. Anyway, I have been trying to make this at home and for sometime resorted to using Trader Joe’s General Tso’s sauce which is delicious, however it is way too salty. I have tried a few recipes, many of which use rice vinegar, but it is too tangy for my daughter. This recipe on the other hand is perfect, and super simple. I make it and refrigerate it. It goes great over rice with broccoli or tofu! Thanks alot.
★★★★★
Hi there! So glad you liked our recipe 🙂 Tofu, rice and broccoli is a great combo!
Delicious. Teen daughter loves it, says better than restaurant. We aren’t vegan per se, but it doesn’t matter. I also sauté and in any seasonal veggies I have on hand, use soft tofu, because we like it. Making it again right now!
★★★★★
Hi Karen! Thanks a lot 🙂 Sounds amazing!
Loved it! my boyfriend loved it too. I used soy sauce and cane sugar. I wonder if it is better with brown sugar, I didn’t have any (same with tamari). thanks for this recipe!
★★★★★
Hi Miranda! So glad you liked it. It’s the same 🙂 You’re so welcome!
My SO and I loved this recipe!! I’m a vegetarian and he’s a carnivore, and this is (so far) the only way I’ve been able to get him to eat tofu (; Thank you so much for posting!!
★★★★★
Hi Em! You’re so welcome 🙂 I’m so glad you liked it!
This was a nice and easy recipe for a weeknight dinner. A few things I changed: I bought extra firm tofu and pressed it between two cuttings boards with paper towels for about 30 minutes to make the tofu less watery. I had to change out the paper towels a few times because they quickly soaked through. I used way more than 2 tablespoons of corn starch to toss them in. I just eyeballed the amount, but it was probably more like 1/3 cup. I used twice the amount of cayenne pepper because I wanted my sauce to be a bit spicier. I could have used more as it was not too spicy. I served my tofu with steamed broccoli and cauliflower rice. Delicious and healthy!
Hi Andrea! Thanks a lot 😉 We used 6 tbsp cornstarch. Your version sounds amazing!
Thanks for this quick and delicious recipe. I fell in love with it. Just finished eating it now.
★★★★★
Hi Rob! You’re so welcome 🙂 So glad you liked it!
I have 3 older kids who, up until tonight did not like tofu. This was great. I can’t wait to try the sweet and sour tofu recipe!
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Hi Shanta! I’m so glad your kids enjoyed our recipe 🙂 Hope they also like the sweet and sour tofu!