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Home » Recipes » Vegetarian Recipes

General Tso's Tofu (Vegetarian)

Published Feb 26, 2019 by Allyson · 119 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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General Tso's Tofu will have you forgetting about the meat and devouring dinner! This is the BEST vegetarian version of the famous General Tso's dish. 

General Tso's Tofu will have you forgetting about the meat and devouring dinner! This is the BEST vegetarian version of the famous General Tso's dish.

General Tso's Tofu is one of my favorite dishes, mostly because I love Chinese take out, but sometimes it’s hard to find a great version at Chinese restaurants. It's not a problem though, because it's very easy to make Vegetarian General Tso's Tofu at home. It's great knowing exactly what ingredients go into the recipe (no MSG like a lot of restaurants add), and it's majorly delicious! General Tso's Tofu is the perfect vegetarian version of General Tso's Chicken. Add Sesame Bok Choy, Garlic Ginger Spinach, or Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli to the side along with some homemade crab rangoon and you have the perfect dinner!

General Tso's Tofu will have you forgetting about the meat and devouring dinner! This is the BEST vegetarian version of the famous General Tso's dish.

For General Tso's Tofu, I like the tofu to be crispy. This means you have the option to fry or bake it, but I like to use a method called ‘shallow’ frying, which means the whole object isn’t submerged in oil; basically just the bottom and you turn flip it around on each side to get the desired crispness. 

How to make General Tso's Tofu:

**scroll down for full directions and printable ingredient list.**

  • Tofu needs to be pressed before you use it. Make sure all the water is pressed out of the tofu.
    • Cut the tofu bloc in half, then set the halves onto a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Place another towel/paper towel on top of the tofu, then place a heavy object on top in order to weigh down the tofu. Leave it for at least 20 minutes, but the longer the better. This will help press the water out of the tofu, and the water will be absorbed with the towel/paper towel. 
  • To get crispy tofu, we are going to coat the tofu in cornstarch, then shallow fry it. 
  • Heat the oil in a heavy bottom skillet, then add the tofu being careful not to crowd the pan. Flip the tofu around every few minutes and you will see it developing a nice browned crispy crust on the outside. 
  • Make the sauce while the tofu is cooking.
      • to adjust the spice level, reduce or add more red pepper flakes.
  • Once the tofu is done, remove from the pan and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Carefully wipe the skillet out (it's hot), then place back on stove and add sesame oil. Then add the ginger and green onions to the skillet and cook for a minute. Pour the sauce into the skillet and cook another minute, then add the tofu into the skillet and toss to coat. 

General Tso's Tofu will have you forgetting about the meat and devouring dinner! This is the BEST vegetarian version of the famous General Tso's dish.

How to serve General Tso's Tofu:

  • Serve General Tso's tofu over white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
  • For a lower carb option serve over cauliflower rice!
  • Add some vegetables on the side like Sesame Bok Choy, Garlic Ginger Spinach, or Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli.
  • For more protein, serve with Spicy Thai Chicken Tenders or One Skillet Ginger Soy Chicken.

What is the best Tofu for cooking General Tso's Tofu?

Definitely use firm or extra firm tofu for this recipe. The tofu needs to be firm to stand up to the coating and frying. Using a soft or silk tofu will result in the tofu falling apart while trying to coat and cook it.

Where do I find tofu at the store?

Tofu is generally kept in the produce section of the grocery store. If your grocery store has a natural foods area, it could also be there. It will always be in a cooler or refrigerated. If you can't find it, just ask. Most grocery stores stock firm tofu regularly. 

If you like TOFU as much as I do, be sure to checkout these other Tofu recipes:

  • Honey Sesame Tofu is the perfect dinner for meatless Monday or vegetarians. The tofu is fried crispy and then tossed in a delicious sweet sauce!
  • Copycat Bang Bang Tofu is a vegetarian spin on the popular Bang Bang Shrimp!! Spicy, sweet, and delicious!
  • Easy Baked Tofu will become a staple in your home. Add sauce, throw it in salads, the sky is the limit for this versatile basic tofu recipe. 
  • Panda Express Copycat Firecracker Tofu with Brown Rice is a delicious take-out style dinner!
  • Spicy Asian Eggplant & Tofu Bowls are the perfect healthy dinner! Delicious Japanese Eggplant, Bok Choy, and tofu drenched in a spicy Asian Sauce! Takes less than 30 minutes, too!

For more Asian inspired recipe, CLICK HERE.

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5 from 19 votes
Print
General Tso's Tofu
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

General Tso's Tofu will have you forgetting about the meat and devouring dinner! This is the BEST vegetarian version of the famous General Tso's dish. 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: asian
Keyword: general tso's tofu
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Tofu
  • 1 brick extra firm tofu
  • 3-4 TBS cornstarch
  • 1-2 TBS canola or vegetable oil
For the sauce
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 3 TBS hoisin sauce
  • 3 TBS rice vinegar
  • 3 TBS ketchup
  • 2 TBS soy sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 shakes red pepper flakes (optional, 2 shakes turns out pretty mild..add more for more spice or you can leave out for less)
  • 1 TBS sesame oil
  • 4 green onions , chopped
  • 3 TBS fresh ginger , finely chopped
Instructions
  1. Drain tofu of excess water pressing between the counter and heavy object. **I use 2 clean kitchen towels, one folded up the size of the tofu brick on the bottom (place under tofu), and then one on top. Then I place my cast iron pan on top of the top towel, and sometimes place something else in the pan to hold it down. You do not want the tofu to collapse, if it's breaking take some weight off. Let sit 20 minutes. to drain**

  2. While waiting for tofu, mix together the first 7 ingredients and set aside.

  3. Heat a skillet on medium with about a ½ inch of vegetable oil inside. While heating, slice tofu into ½" slices, then cut each slice into thirds. Coat each cube lightly with cornstarch and then place into pan until browned and crispy. You may have to turn up the heat under the pan a bit. Remove from frying pan and set aside on paper towels.

  4. Wipe pan clean with paper towel and add sesame oil, onions, and chopped ginger. Cook about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add sauce mixture to pan, bring to a boil, and simmer about 2 minutes. Add tofu back to mixture, toss to coat. Top with green onions if desired.

General Tso's Tofu will have you forgetting about the meat and devouring dinner! This is the BEST vegetarian version of the famous General Tso's dish. >

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sioux

    December 10, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner tonight and loved it. First time I've ever gotten tofu to be crispy. Served it over rice with broccoli. Amazing.

    Reply
    • Allyson

      December 10, 2017 at 9:10 pm

      I am so happy you loved it! I always recommend this recipe to people who say they don't like tofu, or don't know how to cook it! We loooove it too!

      Reply
  2. Germ

    March 28, 2018 at 10:39 am

    I plan to make this next week! At Chinese restaurants I ask for a lighter amount of sauce with my dishes. Do you think the ingredients are enough for 2 packages of tofu for someone like me? If not maybe I could just times it by 1.5 instead of doubling the amounts.

    Reply
    • Allyson

      March 30, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      I don't think it's SUPER saucy, and i often recommend to double the sauce. I think 1.5 times the normal would probably be good for you!

      Reply
  3. Celia

    June 04, 2018 at 8:19 pm

    5 stars
    I have this made many times. Whenever I make this I always make another batch and substitute with chicken for non eating tofu hubby and pals. This is the easiest low maintenance recipe. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Allyson

      June 05, 2018 at 2:04 pm

      Yay! So happy you love it as much as we do!

      Reply
  4. Angie

    October 01, 2018 at 11:04 pm

    I made this tonight and my boyfriend and our son loved it. Said it by far his favorite tofu recipe that I've made. Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe.

    Reply
    • Allyson

      October 01, 2018 at 11:54 pm

      Angie, that makes me SO happy!! Make sure you checkout my other Tofu recipes and vegetarian recipes too!

      Reply
  5. Aileen

    February 23, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious! Have made multiple times with tofu and with chicken. Has turned out wonderful every time - followed the recipe exactly. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us!!!

    Reply
    • Allyson

      February 25, 2019 at 10:43 am

      I am so happy you love it as much as we do! YUM!

      Reply
  6. Toni

    February 26, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is delicious! So flavorful, no one missed meat!

    Reply
  7. Kristyn

    February 26, 2019 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    Love this as an option for no meat! I have never made tofu, but I am excited to try it at home!

    Reply
  8. Sommer

    February 26, 2019 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite way to prepare tofu by far!

    Reply
  9. Suzy

    February 26, 2019 at 7:45 pm

    5 stars
    This is genius! Such a great way to prepare tofu.

    Reply
  10. Julie Blanner

    February 26, 2019 at 8:22 pm

    5 stars
    I love General Tsos! This tofu is a great switch from chicken!

    Reply
  11. Jade

    February 27, 2019 at 7:16 am

    5 stars
    This does look good, cant wait to try this!

    Reply
  12. Chrissie Baker

    February 27, 2019 at 7:40 am

    5 stars
    Turned out absolutely amazing!!! Thank you!! Even my husband loved it and he is a meat eater

    Reply
  13. Sabrina

    February 27, 2019 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    We have been trying to add in more meatless options and this looks amazing!

    Reply
  14. Catalina

    February 27, 2019 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a perfect dish for my busy nights! Looks amazingly delicious!

    Reply
  15. Melanie Bauer

    February 28, 2019 at 7:19 am

    5 stars
    OMG, this looks delicious! I can make this at home now, so easy to make and it's just perfect!!

    Reply
  16. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert

    February 28, 2019 at 6:37 pm

    5 stars
    I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!

    Reply
  17. Kel

    July 13, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    This tastes and looks incredible. After sending my brother a snap of the dish, he asked for the recipe to try it out for himself!

    Reply
  18. Tom

    February 23, 2020 at 10:16 pm

    5 stars
    This was unbelievably good! I've been looking for a good General Tso's tofu recipe. I made one last week from another blogger that was underwhelming, but this is absolutely fantastic! To make this healthier, I used a zero calorie sweetener in the sauce, and I air fried the tofu. I also sauteed a couple of cups of broccoli with the onions and ginger. Soooo good! I will be making this again. We aren't vegetarian so I may try this with shrimp or chicken next time!

    Reply
    • Allyson

      February 25, 2020 at 2:28 am

      Good work Tom!!! Love the air fryer right??! I need to update this recipe with Air Fryer directions too!! Cheers!

      Reply
  19. Tom

    March 03, 2020 at 5:00 pm

    5 stars
    This was sooo amazing! I used my air fryer to crisp up the tofu and I subbed Swerve for the sugar as I'm diabetic. I also added in two cups of chopped broccoli. I had tried other General Tsos recipes and didn't love them, but this one is amazing. My partner loved it too, I will be making this again and again!

    Reply
    • Tom

      March 03, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      So sorry, thought my first comments didn't go through. So delicious I couldn't stop posting, have a good one!

      Reply
    • Allyson

      March 04, 2020 at 6:50 pm

      Such positive feedback! Thank you for sharing your twerks and positive review!

      Reply
  20. Regina

    April 05, 2020 at 11:18 pm

    5 stars
    Fan freaking tastic! We make this weekly now, although without ketchup. It’s a winner every time and the only meal I have trouble with saying “no” to seconds.

    Reply
    • Allyson

      April 06, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      So good! Happy you love it!

      Reply
  21. Heather

    October 13, 2020 at 7:39 am

    Ive3 made this is the past and its fantastic! I just got an aor fryer and I am dying to try tofu air fried do you jave any suggestions or tips?

    Reply
    • Allyson

      October 13, 2020 at 4:32 pm

      Heather- yes! I have been making. tofu in the air fryer for a while but haven't posted it! I actually wouldn't even coat it because it comes out crispy without the coating in the air fryer. Just squeeze out all the water, then let it marinade in the sauce ingredients. Then put the tofu in the air fryer at 375 degrees and 15 minutes. Shake the basket about halfway through! Then use the left over marinade to make the sauce in a pot on the stove...you can double the sauce if you want. Then just add the tofu in the pot once it's heated and thickened a bit!

      Reply
  22. mostpc

    November 09, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    5 stars
    That's amazing. I really love this reading. Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply
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