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!
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.
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- to adjust the spice level, reduce or add more red pepper flakes.
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- 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.
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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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.
- 1 brick extra firm tofu
- 3-4 TBS cornstarch
- 1-2 TBS canola or vegetable oil
- 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
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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**
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While waiting for tofu, mix together the first 7 ingredients and set aside.
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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.
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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.
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Sioux
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.
Allyson
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!
Germ
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.
Allyson
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!
Celia
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.
Allyson
Yay! So happy you love it as much as we do!
Angie
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.
Allyson
Angie, that makes me SO happy!! Make sure you checkout my other Tofu recipes and vegetarian recipes too!
Aileen
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!!!
Allyson
I am so happy you love it as much as we do! YUM!
Toni
This recipe is delicious! So flavorful, no one missed meat!
Kristyn
Love this as an option for no meat! I have never made tofu, but I am excited to try it at home!
Sommer
My favorite way to prepare tofu by far!
Suzy
This is genius! Such a great way to prepare tofu.
Julie Blanner
I love General Tsos! This tofu is a great switch from chicken!
Jade
This does look good, cant wait to try this!
Chrissie Baker
Turned out absolutely amazing!!! Thank you!! Even my husband loved it and he is a meat eater
Sabrina
We have been trying to add in more meatless options and this looks amazing!
Catalina
This is such a perfect dish for my busy nights! Looks amazingly delicious!
Melanie Bauer
OMG, this looks delicious! I can make this at home now, so easy to make and it's just perfect!!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!
Kel
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!
Tom
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!
Allyson
Good work Tom!!! Love the air fryer right??! I need to update this recipe with Air Fryer directions too!! Cheers!
Tom
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!
Tom
So sorry, thought my first comments didn't go through. So delicious I couldn't stop posting, have a good one!
Allyson
Such positive feedback! Thank you for sharing your twerks and positive review!
Regina
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.
Allyson
So good! Happy you love it!
Heather
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?
Allyson
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!
mostpc
That's amazing. I really love this reading. Thank you for sharing it.