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Oil-Free General Tso's Spicy Sweet Tofu

This recipe for Oil-Free General Tso's Spicy Sweet Tofu features a bold Chinese stir-fry sauce with tamari, hoisin, and chili paste. A healthier, plant-based version of the classic take-out recipe, enjoy with steamed rice and veggies for a satisfying 30-minute meal.
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dinner, Entree
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Healthy, Oil-Free, Plant-Based, Stir-fry, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: 30 minutes or less, bold, date-sweetened, fat-free, healthy, low calories, oil-free, plant-based, protein, sauce, spicy, take-out, tofu, vegan, vegetarian, weeknight, wfpb
Servings: 4
Calories: 157kcal

Ingredients

For the Oil-Free General Tso's Spicy-Sweet Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons 1 ounce tamari
  • 1 tablespoon .5 ounce unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon .5 ounce hoisin sauce
  • 2 teaspoons 10g red chili paste (like Sambal)
  • 1 tablespoon 12g coconut or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon 8g cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth or water
  • 1 16-ounce package extra firm tofu, drained and cut into bite-sized cubes

For Garnish:

  • 2 scallions green parts only, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil optional

For serving:

  • 1 cup steamed black rice
  • 12 ounces steamed green beans

Instructions

  • To make the Oil-Free General Tso's Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the General Tso's sauce. Set aside
  • Preheat a wide, non-stick pan or wok over medium-high heat. Cube the tofu in bite-sized pieces.
  • Once the pan is pre-heated, add the tofu. Cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes to achieve even browning.
  • Add the General Tso's sauce and stir well to coat the tofu. Cook for about 3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and is bubbly.
  • Taste to adjust seasoning. If the sauce tastes "raw" at all, it's likely just the cornstarch...just let it cook a bit longer.
  • Garnish with scallions, sesame seeds, and sesame oil (if desired) before serving. Enjoy with steamed rice and veggies.