Have you ever wanted to know how to make real General Tso sauce recipe at home? Mastering General Tso’s sauce is important whether you want to add the right amount of spicy sweetness to your stir-fry or make your General Tao chicken recipe better. The sauce is easy to make and tastes like your favorite Chinese restaurant’s in under 30 minutes.
In just a few simple steps, you can make this General Tso sauce recipe that you will always have on hand. For a full meal, you can serve it with the best General Tao chicken recipe. Let’s begin by creating this delectable sauce from scratch!
What is General Tso’s Sauce Made Of?
It is renowned for its unique blend of spicy, sour, and slightly sweet flavors. This is General Tso’s sauce. It has just the right amount of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sugar to make a flavor that goes well with fried chicken or veggies. Making this sauce at home with pantry items is simple. It goes nicely with your homemade General Tao chicken dish.
Why You’ll Love This General Tso Sauce Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This General Tso sauce recipe is ready in just 20-25 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness or spice levels based on your personal preferences.
- Authentic Taste: You get the same bold, delicious flavors as restaurant-style General Tso’s sauce, right at home.
- Versatile: Use it not only for General Tso chicken but also on stir-fried vegetables, tofu, or even noodles!
- Healthy: You can control the ingredients and reduce sugar or sodium for a healthier alternative.
What You’ll Need to Make General Tso Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- Soy Sauce (½ cup): The base of the sauce, providing saltiness and depth.
- Rice Vinegar (¼ cup): Adds acidity to balance the sweetness and richness.
- Sugar (2 tbsp): Gives the sauce its characteristic sweetness. You can substitute with honey or maple syrup for a healthier version.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Essential for that aromatic depth of flavor.
- Ginger (1 tsp, grated): Adds a warm, spicy undertone.
- Cornstarch (1 tbsp): Helps thicken the sauce.
- Chili Flakes (1 tsp): For a slight spicy kick. Adjust based on your tolerance.
- Water (½ cup): To dilute and adjust the consistency of the sauce.
Substitutions
- Low-sodium soy sauce: For a healthier, less salty option.
- Maple syrup: Instead of sugar, for a natural sweetener.
- Tamari or coconut aminos: For a gluten-free alternative.
Directions
Cook the Sauce Base: In a medium saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a paste. This will thicken the sauce. Slowly pour this into the sauce that is already boiling while stirring. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Heat: Stir in chili flakes for the signature spicy kick of General Tso’s sauce. Taste and adjust the sweetness or spiciness by adding more sugar or chili flakes as needed.
Final Touch: Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from heat. Let it cool slightly before serving over General Tao chicken or your favorite stir-fry dish.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Sodium: 635mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Storage and Freezing
Store Properly: Once cooled, store your General Tso sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 1 week.
Freezing Tip: If you want to make a batch ahead of time, you can freeze it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a zip-top bag and store for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop for quick meals.
Thickening Tip: If your sauce is too thin after storage, simply reheat and stir in a little more cornstarch slurry to thicken it back up.
How to Use General Tso Sauce
- On Chicken: Coat your fried chicken in this delicious sauce for an authentic General Tso chicken recipe.
- Stir-Fry: Toss with your favorite stir-fried vegetables or tofu for a vegetarian delight.
- With Noodles: Drizzle over chow mein or lo mein for added flavor.
- As a Dipping Sauce: Use it as a tangy dip for spring rolls or fried wontons.
- On Rice: Spoon it over steamed white or brown rice for an easy side dish.
Others Sauce Recipes You May Enjoy
General Tso Sauce Recipe Tips
1.Make It Spicy to Your Taste
Adjust the level of heat in the General Tso sauce by adding more or less chili flakes. If you like it extra spicy, you can also add a dash of chili oil or a finely chopped fresh chili pepper. On the other hand, for a milder version, reduce the amount of chili flakes.
2. Use Fresh Ginger and Garlic
For the best flavor, use fresh ginger and garlic instead of pre-ground versions. The aromatic oils released from freshly grated ginger and minced garlic really enhance the sauce’s flavor profile and give it that authentic “from scratch” taste.
3. Fry Your Chicken Perfectly
To get crispy General Tso chicken, coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch or flour and fry them at the right temperature (350-375°F). This ensures they stay crunchy when you add the sauce, making the dish more delicious.
4. Balance Sweetness and Saltiness
The key to a great General Tso sauce is the perfect balance between sweet and salty. If your sauce turns out too salty, add a little extra sugar or honey to balance it out. If it’s too sweet, add a splash of rice vinegar or soy sauce.
5. Use the Right Soy Sauce
Choose a good-quality soy sauce for the best flavor. If you want a more authentic taste, use light soy sauce for a slightly saltier flavor or dark soy sauce for a deeper, richer taste. If you need a gluten-free version, try tamari.
6. Add a Little Vinegar for Tang
A little rice vinegar or black vinegar adds the perfect tangy touch to the General Tso sauce, balancing the sweetness. Don’t overdo it, though—just a tablespoon or two is all you need to add complexity to the sauce.
7. Thicken the Sauce Just Right
For a velvety consistency, make sure you add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) slowly and stir constantly. If the sauce is still too thin, repeat the process, but be careful not to add too much cornstarch at once.
8. Serve with Steamed Jasmine Rice
- Tip: Pair your General Tso’s chicken with steamed jasmine rice. The fluffy, aromatic rice complements the sweet and savory sauce perfectly and makes the meal more balanced.
9. Double or Triple the Sauce
- Tip: General Tso’s sauce can be made in larger batches and stored in the fridge for later use. Simply double or triple the recipe and refrigerate it for up to a week. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for future meals.
10. Try with Tofu or Vegetables
- Tip: Not a fan of chicken? You can make a delicious vegetarian version by using crispy tofu or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas. The sauce pairs beautifully with both!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is General Tso’s sauce made of?
General Tso’s sauce is made with a base of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, and ginger. It is thickened with cornstarch and has a touch of chili for a slightly spicy flavor.
How do you thicken chow mein sauce?
To thicken chow mein sauce, add a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to the sauce while cooking. Stir constantly until it reaches the desired thickness.
What does General Tso sauce taste like?
General Tso sauce has a perfect balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. It’s savory with hints of garlic and ginger.
Why is it called General Tso sauce?
Named after Zuo Zongtang, a 19th-century Chinese military leader, General Tso’s sauce became popular in the U.S. in the 1970s, although there is no direct link to the general himself.
General Tso Sauce – Recipe Card
Ingredients
- Soy Sauce ½ cup: The base of the sauce, providing saltiness and depth.
- Rice Vinegar ¼ cup: Adds acidity to balance the sweetness and richness.
- Sugar 2 tbsp: Gives the sauce its characteristic sweetness. You can substitute with honey or maple syrup for a healthier version.
- Garlic 2 cloves, minced: Essential for that aromatic depth of flavor.
- Ginger 1 tsp, grated: Adds a warm, spicy undertone.
- Cornstarch 1 tbsp: Helps thicken the sauce.
- Chili Flakes 1 tsp: For a slight spicy kick. Adjust based on your tolerance.
- Water ½ cup: To dilute and adjust the consistency of the sauce.
Instructions
- Cook the Sauce Base: In a medium saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a paste. This will thicken the sauce. Slowly pour this into the sauce that is already boiling while stirring. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Heat: Stir in chili flakes for the signature spicy kick of General Tso’s sauce. Taste and adjust the sweetness or spiciness by adding more sugar or chili flakes as needed.
- Final Touch: Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from heat. Let it cool slightly before serving over General Tao chicken or your favorite stir-fry dish.
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1 comment
Good recipe