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General Tso's Tofu Stir Fry
5 from 16 votes

General Tso's Tofu Stir Fry

General Tso's Tofu Stir Fry uses extra-firm tofu coated in cornstarch and fried until golden. The tofu is marinated briefly in a tangy and sweet mixture featuring soy sauces, hoisin, and vinegars, then tossed in a thickened sauce with garlic, ginger, and chili elements. The dish balances a crispy exterior and flavorful sauce, making it a satisfying vegan-friendly main served best with rice.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 211 kcal
Course: Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine: Asian, Vegan

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce tofu cubed, extra firm
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil to fry tofu
  • 4 whole dried red chili (or use ¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili flakes)
  • ½ cup scallions
  • 6 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 2 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons red chili sauce (adjust as per taste preference)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce light
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (vegan)
  • 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or use apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon brown sugar (or white granular sugar)
  • ½ cup vegetable stock (add more stock if needed to get desired consistency of sauce)
For garnish
  • ¼ cup green onions
  • 2 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To make the sauce, whisk garlic, ginger, red chili sauce, hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar in a bowl.
  2. If using block tofu, make sure to use extra-firm tofu. Cut into 1” cubes. Put tofu in a zip-lock bag.
  3. Pour rice wine vinegar, light soy sauce into the bag, lock the bag and gently shake well to coat tofu pieces in the sauce. Let it rest for 10 minutes, preferably overnight.
  4. Drain out excess sauce into another bowl. Do not waste this. We can add this sauce back into the stir fry sauce while cooking.
  5. Add corn starch, and coat tofu pieces well in the starch. Toss well until all tofu cubes are coated well in corn starch.
  6. Heat oil in a pan. Sesame oil, peanut oil, canola oil are the best choices for stir fry. Use one of them.
  7. Into the hot oil, add tofu pieces and fry until golden brown. Turn over tofu and fry until golden brown on all sides. Do not crowd the pan. Layer tofu in single layer. Do in batches if you have to.
  8. Remove fried tofu onto a plate.
  9. Pour off some of the oil from the pan (if too much is left over). Add dried red chilies.
  10. Pour in the prepared sauce. Stir constantly and cook for a minute or two.  Pour the left over sauce from the tofu marinade as well.
  11. Stir in scallions. Cook for 30 seconds.
  12. Add in fried golden brown tofu cubes. Toss until every tofu piece is covered evenly in the sauce. Cook on simmer for a few minutes, coat tofu well in the sauce.
  13. Note: is sauce thickens adjust the consistency by adding one or two tablespoons of vegetable stock or as required. You need to have thick pourable consistency of the sauce and have enough sauce to serve it with rice.
  14. Remove the pan from heat.
  15. Serve this slightly sweet, slightly spicy, slightly salty, slightly crunchy General Tso Tofu over jasmine rice (or quinoa for lighter healthy option) garnished with green onions, sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Use extra-firm tofu to get a firm texture suitable for frying and marinating.
  • Fry tofu cubes in small batches to avoid crowding and to ensure even, golden crisping.
  • Adjust the sauce thickness with vegetable stock to keep it pourable but not watery.
  • Spiciness can be increased by adding more red chili flakes or paprika to preference.

Nutrition Information

Calories 211kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g (24%) Monounsaturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 1mg (0%) Sodium 763mg (32%) Potassium 289mg (6%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 515IU (10%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 67mg (7%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 211

% Daily Value*

Calories 211kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 763mg 32%
Potassium 289mg 6%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 515IU 10%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 67mg 7%
Iron 2mg 11%

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