Can I make this general tso sauce recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can make this general tso sauce recipe up to a week in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat it in a pan. You may need to add a splash of water to loosen it up as it cools and thickens.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

If you want a thicker consistency for your general tso sauce recipe, simply mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a teaspoon of cold water and whisk it into the simmering sauce. Let it cook for another 30-60 seconds to activate the starch.

Is this general tso sauce recipe spicy?

This recipe has a moderate kick. However, the beauty of a homemade general tso sauce recipe is that you can control the heat. For a mild version, omit the dried chilies and red pepper flakes. For extra spice, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.

General Tso Sauce Recipe: 1 Easy Secret to Perfect Takeout at Home

Name: The Ultimate General Tso Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce; 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water (slurry); 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 4-6 dried red chilies (optional); 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Description

A perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. This general tso sauce recipe is the secret to making better-than-takeout meals at home in just 10 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water (slurry)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
4-6 dried red chilies (optional)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, broth, sugar, and hoisin sauce until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
Step 2: Heat the sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, dried chilies, and red pepper flakes.
Step 3: Sauté the aromatics for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic brown or burn.
Step 4: Pour the liquid soy sauce mixture into the saucepan with the aromatics and bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 5: Give your cornstarch slurry a quick stir to recombine, then slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce.
Step 6: Continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Step 7: Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before tossing with your favorite protein or vegetables.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari. You can also adjust the sugar to taste depending on how sweet you like your General Tso chicken.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 85 kcal
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 0.1g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg