General Tso Quick and Easy Vegan Recipes

This General Tso's Tofu is full of amazing flavors and has a perfect balance of sweet, earthy, and spicy. If you're craving a vegan version of General Tso's Chicken, then this dish is just right. It's the perfect quick, easy, and healthier vegan fake-out meal!

This General Tso Tofu is the perfect combination of spicy, earthy, and sweet.

If you're craving General Tso Chicken, but you want something that's both vegan and a little healthier, then this General Tso Tofu is just want you need!

Not only have I replaced the chicken with tofu, but I also made this dish oil-free. Instead of deep frying the tofu, you can bake it in the oven or cook it in your air fryer. Using cornstarch or arrowroot powder will help make the tofu crispy, and when you start with super firm tofu, you'll have the right texture.

I also made the General Tso Sauce a little healthier by taking out the oil and replacing the sugar with maple syrup. I tested this sauce recipe many times, but it wasn't until I decided to try sautéing the garlic, ginger, and whites of the green onion before adding the rest of the sauce that it all came together.

This sauce is the perfect balance of spicy, earthy, and sweet. It's sticky and delicious without being cloyingly sweet or overly salty. When you combine this sauce with the crispy bake tofu, it's an absolute dream come true. I hope you love the General Tso Tofu as much as I do!

Jump to:

• What is General Tso Tofu?
• Is this gluten-free?
• Why isn't the tofu seasoned?
• Is this dish WFPB?
• Is this kid-friendly?
• Ingredient notes and substitutions
• General variations
• Variations without tofu
• Instructions
• Air Fryer Instructions
• How to serve
• Can I make it ahead?
• How to store
• More Asian-inspired tofu recipes
• 📖 Recipe

You'll love this vegan General Tso Tofu recipe because it's:

• Quick & Easy
• Vegan / Vegetarian
• Easy to make Gluten-Free
• Possible to make WFPB
• Healthy & Oil-free
• Flavorful & Delicious
• The Perfect Vegan Fake-out!

---

Garnish General Tso's Tofu with green onions and sesame for a delicious and easy meal!

What is General Tso Tofu?

General Tso's Chicken is a dish commonly found on American Chinese restaurant menus--aka it's not an authentic Chinese dish (for a similar but more authentic dish, see Kung Pao). General Tso Sauce is characterized by its spicy and subtly sweet flavor. My veganized version is made with tofu instead of chicken.

Is this gluten-free?

If you need to make this gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Hoisin is not always gluten-free, so be sure to choose a brand of hoisin that is. Pure cornstarch is gluten-free, so just be sure there are no added ingredients.

Why isn't the tofu seasoned?

I tested this recipe multiple times. In my early tests I seasoned the tofu (similar to these recipes for vegan orange tofu and Korean tofu), but when the tofu was combined with the sauce, the dish was far too salty. I tried a variety of seasonings before deciding the easiest thing would be to keep the tofu unseasoned and let the sauce do all the work!

Is this dish WFPB?

To make this fully Whole-Foods Plant-Based, you would need to use Hoisin sauce that's not made with sugar. Becuase there is only a small amount of Hoisin sauce in the dish, I don't worry about it. However, if you want to, you could make your own. Here is an easy recipe you can follow.

Is this kid-friendly?

If your kids can tolerate spicy foods, then they'll love this! However, if they aren't so keen on spice, just keep the chili flakes out of the sauce and let each individual add them to thier own dish.

---

Here's what you need to make this easy General Tso Tofu!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

For the Tofu

• super firm tofu: This is the firmest kind of tofu. It comes in vacuum-sealed packs and doesn't need to be pressed. If you can't find it, you can use extra firm tofu that has been pressed for 20 minutes. You might also like this Freeze/Thaw Method to give it better texture.
• cornstarch or arrowrot powder

For the Sauce

• water
• soy sauce: I prefer lite soy sauce.
• hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce has really delicious and distinctive flavor. If you buy one special ingredient for this recipe, make it this one!
• maple syrup: You could also use agave, but I prefer it with maple syrup.
• rice vinegar: I always keep this at home, but if it's not a pantry staple at your house, you can easily substitute with white wine or white vinegar.
• cornstarch or arrowroot powder
• chili flakes: This is a spicy dish. I used crushed red pepper chili flakes, since they are a more common ingredient in most North American pantries, but you can also use Sichuan Chili Flakes if you have them. If you prefer a mild dish then you can leave out the chili flakes. Or you can reduce the amount.
• fresh grated ginger: Ginger powder will also work.
• garlic cloves: Granulated garlic can also be substituted.
• green onions: ½ a small shallot or ¼ a white onion could work in a pinch, but green onion is best.

Optional Garnish

• sesame seeds
• lime wedges

*See recipe card for quantities.

---

General variations

• To make this more kid-friendly, leave out the chili flakes during preparation and use them as a garnish for each individual plate instead.
• If you prefer a more citrus forward flavor, try this Vegan Orange Tofu.

Variations without tofu

This sauce is super versatile and delicious. If you want to make vegan General Tso without tofu, try one of these proteins instead:

• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Large TVP chunks (soak first for 15 minutes and then bake for 15 to 30 minutes before adding to the sauce)
• Soy curls (same as above)
• Store-bought Vegan Chicken strips

Instructions

1. Start by making the tofu. If you are using regular or extra firm tofu, you will need to press it first for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 425F (220C).
3. Drain excess water off the tofu. Break the tofu into craggy, uneven chunks and add them to a mixing bowl. You're going for bigger (thumb-sized) chunks, but it's okay if some crumbles get in there. They'll get extra crispy and add a nice crunch to the dish. (See the photos below.)
4. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cornstarch over the top. Gently mix to combine. Repeat this step 2 more times until you have used 3 tablespoons of cornstarch.
5. Transfer the tofu to a lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.

6. While the tofu is baking, make the sauce. Add the water, soy sauce, hoisin, maple syrup, vinegar, chili flake, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.

7. Prep the green onion by chopping off the root end and any wilted parts from the tops. Then cut each in half to separate the green part from the white. Finely chop the green part and set aside to use as a garnish.
8. Grate your ginger and garlic. Finely chop the white part of the green onions. Add the onion whites to a skillet with the grated ginger and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion begins to soften. (You can add a tablespoon or two of water if they start to stick or burn.)
9. Add the liquid General Tso sauce mixture to the skillet and continue to cook over medium heat, stirring as needed, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the sauce becomes thick and sticky. Turn off the heat.

10. When the tofu is done, remove it from the oven and add it to the skillet. Gently fold and mix until the tofu is completely coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too far reduced, you can turn the heat back on and add a tablespoon or two of water to deglaze the pan.
11. Serve with rice and steamed broccoli or veggie of choice.

---

Air Fryer Instructions

To make the tofu in the air fryer, simply follow the same preparation instructions. Preheat your air fryer to 400F or 200C. Air fry for 10 to 15 minutes, making sure to shake the basket about halfway through.

Making General Tso Tofu in the air fryer will save you time. If you use microwave or quick-cooking rice and frozen vegetables, you can have this dish on the table in about 20 minutes.

How to serve

Serve this General Tso's Tofu over your favorite rice or grain. I like to garnish with the green onion tops and sesame seeds, but cilantro would also make a nice garnish.

Serve with steamed broccoli (or Air Fryer Broccoli), green beans, or sauteed red bell pepper. Or make it easy on yourself and use a frozen Asian vegetable mix.

---

Vegan General Tso's Tofu is the perfect fake-out meal!

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, this tofu recipe can be made ahead. However, the tofu will be much crispier if you eat it right after it comes out of the oven. Therefore, I would not classify this as a good make-ahead meal.

However, if you're looking to save time, you cut make this dish in the air fryer (see instructions above.)

How to store

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

More Asian-inspired tofu recipes

• Orange Tofu (Vegan + Oil-Free)

• Korean Tofu (Spicy, Vegan, & Oil-free)

• Vegan Bibimbap with Tofu (Korean Rice Bowl)

• Vegan Thai Curry (No Oil, 20 Minutes, 6 Ingredients)

---

📖 Recipe

General Tso Tofu

This General Tso Tofu is full of amazing flavors and has a perfect balance of sweet, earthy, and spicy. If you're craving a vegan version of General Tso's Chicken, then this dish is just right. It's the perfect quick, easy, and healthier vegan fake-out meal!

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American, Chinese

Servings 4

Calories 144 kcal

For the Tofu

• 14 oz super firm tofu
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Optional Garnish

• sesame seeds
• lime wedges

Make the Tofu

• (If you are using regular or extra firm tofu, you will need to press it first for 15 to 20 minutes).

• Preheat the oven to 425F (220C).

• Drain excess water off the tofu. Break the tofu into craggy, uneven chunks and add them to a mixing bowl.

• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cornstarch over the top. Gently mix to combine. Repeat this step 2 more times until you have used 3 tablespoons of cornstarch.

• Transfer the tofu to a lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.

Make the Sauce

• While the tofu is baking, make the sauce. Add the water, soy sauce, hoisin, maple syrup, vinegar, chili flake, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.

• Prep the green onion by chopping off the root end and any wilted parts from the tops. Then cut each in half to separate the green part from the white. Finely chop the green part and set aside to use as a garnish.

• Finely chop the white part of the green onions. Grate the garlic and ginger. Add the onion whites to a skillet with the grated ginger and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion begins to soften. (Deglaze with a tablespoon of water if needed.)

• Add the General Tso Sauce to the skillet and continue to cook over medium heat, stirring as needed, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the sauce becomes thick and sticky. Turn off the heat.

Combine

• When the tofu is done, remove it from the oven and add it to the skillet. Gently fold and mix until the tofu is completely coated with the sauce. Serve with rice and steamed broccoli.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Save this RecipeSaved!

• This recipe calls for Super Firm Tofu, which comes vacuum sealed and pre-pressed. If you are using regular or extra firm tofu, you will need to press it first for 15 to 20 minutes.
• This amount will serve 4 (assuming each person eats 3.5 oz of tofu) if paired with rice and vegetables.
• For extra help, see the process shots in the blog post above.

Calories: 144 kcal Carbohydrates: 22 g Protein: 9 g Fat: 2 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 1 mg Sodium: 707 mg Potassium: 245 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 10 g Vitamin A: 209 IU Vitamin C: 2 mg Calcium: 59 mg Iron: 2 mg

Keyword General Tso Tofu, General Tso's Tofu, Vegan General Tso Chicken, Vegan General Tso's Chicken

Want access to my Exclusive Meal Planning Tips & Printables page?

Did you try this recipe? Have a question? Just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you ASAP!

austinwoned1939.blogspot.com

Source: https://nosweatvegan.com/general-tso-tofu/

Share this post