General Tso's Tofu Twist (Printer View)

Crispy tofu in sweet and spicy sauce, paired with steamed broccoli and rice for a tasty vegan entrée.

# What you'll need:

→ Tofu Preparation

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, drained, pressed, and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil such as canola or vegetable

→ Sauce

04 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
07 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or granulated sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
09 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
10 - 1/2 cup water
11 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
12 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

→ Vegetables and Garnish

13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
15 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
16 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
17 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
18 - 9 oz broccoli florets, steamed
19 - Cooked jasmine or basmati rice, for serving

# Method:

01 - Press the tofu with a tofu press or heavy object for at least 10 minutes to extract moisture. Cut into 3/4-inch cubes and toss evenly with 2 tablespoons cornstarch.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and fry, turning, until golden and crispy, approximately 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer tofu to a paper towel-lined plate.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup or sugar, tomato paste, sriracha, and water. In a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to create a slurry.
04 - Return skillet to medium heat, add a drizzle of oil if needed. Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour prepared sauce into pan. Bring to a simmer, then stir in cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring, until sauce becomes thick and glossy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Add crispy tofu back to pan and toss gently to coat thoroughly in sauce.
07 - Drizzle with toasted sesame oil and garnish with sliced spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed broccoli and rice.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses everyday pantry staples you probably already have in your kitchen
  • Ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish
  • Completely dairy free and vegan without sacrificing rich taste
  • Customizable heat level with easy swaps for gluten free or extra veggies
  • The crispy tofu and sticky sauce win over even my most tofu-wary friends
02 -
  • Packed with protein and plant powered ingredients
  • Completely vegan dairy free and easy to make gluten free
  • Every component can be prepped ahead for fast weeknight dinners
03 -
  • Always press tofu as dry as possible for maximum crisp
  • Do not stir tofu too soon when frying to keep it from tearing
  • Toast the cornstarch before using if you want even more depth of flavor
  • The sauce thickens quickly so keep stirring and do not walk away once the slurry is added
  • Taste the sauce before assembling so you can tweak sweetness salt and heat to your liking
  • Once you learn the basic technique you can change up the sauce or veg for endless weeknight variety

Return