Name: Homemade General Tso Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: About ¾ cup
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce; ¼ cup chicken broth or water; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated); 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Description

This Homemade General Tso Sauce recipe is a flavorful, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce perfect for tossing with crispy chicken, tofu, or vegetables. Made with a blend of soy sauce, chicken broth, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, it is easy to prepare on the stovetop and thickens to a glossy finish. This versatile sauce can be adjusted to balance sweetness and tanginess to suit your taste and is ideal for recreating that beloved Chinese-American dish at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup chicken broth or water
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

Mix the sauce base: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, chicken broth, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and thoroughly combined. Set this mixture aside.
Sauté aromatics: Heat the sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Cook the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the saucepan with the aromatics. Stir constantly as the mixture comes to a simmer, allowing it to cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens and develops a glossy texture.
Add heat (optional): Stir in crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.
Finish and store: Remove the sauce from heat. Use it immediately to coat your choice of protein or vegetables, or allow it to cool and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

This sauce is perfect for tossing with crispy chicken, tofu, or vegetables.
Adjust the sugar and vinegar quantities to balance sweetness and tanginess according to your preference.
For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari for soy sauce and use gluten-free hoisin sauce.
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.