It’s sweet, umami, sticky, and just a bit spicy. I use it to make General Tso’s Chicken, one of the most popular Chinese takeout dishes, but it’s also great with any stir fry! Alpana is pretty much addicted to all Asian food, but somehow I’m usually the one who cooks the stir frys. I don’t mind, she cooks all the complicated curries, so I’m happy taking care of the easy stuff. This time, her cravings were leaning the General Tso way. But first of all, I needed to make that flavorful sauce…
Ingredient Notes
I have included exact measurements in the recipe card at the end of the post. Here is what you’ll need today:
Chicken broth or stock – It provides a savory base for the sauce. I usually use Better than Bouillon. For a vegetarian twist, vegetable stock or broth could be used. Soy sauce – This is the soul of any General Tso’s sauce. Sometimes I’ll also add a splash of dark soy sauce for a deeper color. Hoisin sauce – Adds a sweet tang that is irreplaceable in this dish. It’s like barbecue sauce with a Chinese twist and thickens the sauce beautifully. Rice wine vinegar – A touch of acidity to balance the sweetness and saltiness. In a pinch you can use regular white vinegar, but I really recommend rice wine vinegar if you have it. Corn starch – This is the thickening agent that gives the sauce its glossy, restaurant-style consistency. Be sure to mix it well to avoid clumps. Brown sugar – For sweetness. Sometimes I’ll substitute it with honey, especially if I’m making General Tso shrimp. Red chili flakes – I always like a little heat in my stir fry meals. The ½ teaspoon in this recipe doesn’t make it too spicy though. Even our 4 year old, Noah, enjoys it.
General Tso Sauce Recipe
This is about as simple as you can get! Simply whisk together all of the ingredients in a small pan. Place over medium heat and cook until the sauce has thickened to your liking. I cook it about 5-6 minutes. That’s it!
How to Use General Tso Sauce
This tangy sauce is super versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
The most common use, popular in American Chinese restaurants, is General Tso’s Chicken. That’s what I’m cooking tonight. It goes very well as a sauce for shrimp stir-fry dishes. Again, I typically use honey in place of brown sugar in this case. Want to keep it vegetarian? Try General Tso tofu or cauliflower. Use it as a glaze for baked salmon. We like to dip egg rolls or spring rolls in it.
Have some more ideas? Be sure to let me know in the comments section!
General Tso Pronunciation
And, since you were probably wondering, the correct pronunciation is tsah-oo. Yes, I’ve been mispronouncing it for years, too! The next time you crave Chinese, skip the takeout and make your own right in your kitchen. This General Tso sauce is going to be the perfect start to that stir fry night. You’re going to thank me later. Save or pin this recipe so you always know where to find it. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out our collection of favorite Chinese Recipes. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new recipes for you!
General Tso Sauce, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great homemade sauces!Basic Stir Fry SauceSweet and Sour SauceTeriyaki SauceHunan SauceKatsu SauceBulgogi SauceDumpling Sauce
