Crispy General Tso’s Tofu coated in a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce—better than takeout and easy to make at home! Serve with rice for a delicious plant-based meal.
The first time my husband and I tried General Tso’s Tofu at a local Chinese restaurant, we were instantly hooked. The crispy tofu coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce was absolutely irresistible! It quickly became our go-to treat, something we’d look forward to ordering every month. But as much as we loved it, I wanted to recreate a healthier homemade version—one that’s just as flavorful but with better ingredients. After some experimenting, I nailed the perfect recipe, and now we can enjoy this takeout favorite anytime, guilt-free!
Why You’ll Love This General Tso’s Tofu Recipe
- Crispy and flavorful: Tofu is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, coated in a rich, tangy sauce.
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
- Healthier takeout: A lighter, plant-based version of the classic General Tso’s dish with no deep-frying.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice level to your liking with more or less sriracha.
- Packed with protein: Tofu provides a great source of plant-based protein for a filling meal.
Here’s a delicious General Tso’s Tofu recipe that’s crispy, flavorful, and better than takeout!
Ingredients
The tofu:
- 1 block (14 oz) extra-firm tofu, pressed & cubed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or neutral oil for frying)
The sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (or more for heat)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup vegetable broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (to thicken)
For garnish:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 small dried red chili (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu:
- Cut tofu into cubes and toss with soy sauce, then coat evenly with cornstarch.
- Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium-high heat and pan-fry tofu until crispy and golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, hoisin sauce, sriracha, ginger, garlic, and vegetable broth.
- In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry.
- Cook everything together:
- In the same pan, pour in the sauce mixture and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens (1-2 minutes).
- Add the crispy tofu back into the pan and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve & enjoy:
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and dried chili if using.
- Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried veggies.
Recipe Tips
Press your tofu well: To get crispy tofu, it’s crucial to press out as much moisture as possible. Use a tofu press or wrap it in a towel and place something heavy on top for at least 15 minutes.
Use cornstarch for extra crunch: Coating the tofu cubes in cornstarch before frying helps create that crispy texture on the outside, making each bite deliciously crunchy.
Fry the tofu in batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying tofu. Frying in batches ensures that the tofu gets evenly crisped and doesn’t steam.
Adjust the sauce sweetness and spice: Feel free to tweak the sweetness or heat level of the sauce by adding more maple syrup or sriracha, depending on your preference.
Serve with steamed rice or veggies: For a complete meal, serve this tofu with steamed rice, stir-fried veggies, or a side of sautéed greens for added nutrition.
This tofu is crispy, sticky, and packed with flavor—hope you love it!
General Tso’s Tofu
Ingredients
For the tofu:
- 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed & cubed
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (or neutral oil for frying)
For the sauce:
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sriracha (or more for heat)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup vegetable broth (or water)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (to thicken)
For garnish:
- 2 tbsp green onions chopped
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp dried red chili (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu:Cut tofu into cubes and toss with soy sauce, then coat evenly with cornstarch.Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium-high heat and pan-fry tofu until crispy and golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce:In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, hoisin sauce, sriracha, ginger, garlic, and vegetable broth.In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry.
- Cook everything together:In the same pan, pour in the sauce mixture and bring to a simmer.Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens (1-2 minutes).Add the crispy tofu back into the pan and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve & enjoy:Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and dried chili if using.Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried veggies.
I’m so glad I decided to try making General Tso’s Tofu at home—it’s become one of my favorite go-to dishes! It’s just as delicious as the takeout version, but I love knowing exactly what’s in it. Whether you’re a long-time tofu fan or just looking to try something new, this recipe is a winner. My husband and I enjoy it so much that we make it regularly now. I hope you love it just as much as we do!