General Tso’s Cauliflower

User Reviews

4.8

162 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    20 mins

  • Total Time

    50 mins

  • Servings

    6

  • Calories

    350 kcal

  • Course

    Side Dish

  • Cuisine

    Chinese

General Tso’s Cauliflower

General Tso's cauliflower is the vegetarian version of the beloved Chinese American General Tso's Chicken. It's just as crispy and tasty!

I Made This!

121 people made this

Save this

97 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

For the cauliflower:

  • 1 small head cauliflower
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 cup rice flour
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 to 3 cups peanut or canola oil (for frying)

For the sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon peanut or canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons ginger (finely minced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 5 whole dried red chili peppers (optional)
  • ½ tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup water (or stock)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water)
  • 1 scallion (cut at an angle into half-inch pieces)
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

  1. Cut the cauliflower into 1- to 2-inch (3-5cm) chunks. Mix the cornstarch, baking soda, salt, sesame oil, white pepper, water, and three quarters of the rice flour in a large bowl until it forms a batter.
  2. Toss the cauliflower into the batter, and fold together until the cauliflower is well-coated. Sprinkle the remaining rice flour over the cauliflower, and stir until everything is sticking to it. There should be no more batter at the bottom of the bowl. If there is, just add a little bit more rice flour. If the batter looks dry or crumbly, add a teaspoon or two of water. Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds evenly over the cauliflower.
  3. Heat the oil to 375°F/190°C in a cast iron pan or small pot. Fry the cauliflower in batches until light golden brown and crunchy (about 3 minutes), and transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in your wok over medium heat. Add the minced ginger, and fry for 15 seconds. Add the garlic and dried red pepper. Stir for 10 seconds. Add the Shaoxing wine, and immediately add the sesame oil, light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and water (or stock). Turn the heat down to low, letting the entire mixture simmer.
  5. To make the cauliflower extra crispy, fry it for a second time in batches for about 20 seconds or until golden brown, and drain on paper towels. Add the cornstarch slurry gradually to the sauce while stirring constantly, and simmer for 20 seconds. The sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon.
  6. Add the cauliflower and scallions, and toss the entire mixture until everything is well-coated in the sauce. Serve!

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 350kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 33g (11%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Sodium 660mg (28%) Potassium 316mg (9%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 20IU (0%) Vitamin C 46.9mg (52%) Calcium 32mg (3%) Iron 0.7mg (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 350 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 350kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 660mg 28%
Potassium 316mg 7%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 20IU 0%
Vitamin C 46.9mg 52%
Calcium 32mg 3%
Iron 0.7mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.8

162 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Dry Pot Cauliflower

Chinese
4.9 (102 reviews)

Easy Roasted Cauliflower Stir-Fry

Chinese
5.0 (24 reviews)

Liang Pi: Cold skin noodles (凉皮)

Chinese
5.0 (87 reviews)

Spicy Five Spice Potatoes

Chinese
5.0 (18 reviews)

Dry Pot Cauliflower (干锅菜花)

Chinese
5.0 (15 reviews)

Omelette with homegrown garlic sprouts

Chinese
5.0 (18 reviews)

Fried Milk

Chinese
5.0 (15 reviews)

Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) Two Ways

Chinese
5.0 (30 reviews)