General Tso’s Cauliflower Recipe

The vegetarian take on the Chinese-American favorite is so good you won’t even miss the meat. General Tso’s Cauliflower is hearty and healthy.

This plant-based version of General Tso’s chicken is the perfect weeknight meal, swapping chicken for cauliflower with a boost of vibrant green color and gut-healthy fiber coming from edamame. Serve it over brown rice or whole-wheat noodles to sop up any leftover sauce.

General Tso’s Cauliflower

Serves 4

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado
• 4 cups small cauliflower florets
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed
• Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons hoisin and 1 tablespoon each soy sauce (or tamari), Shaoxing (or sherry), rice vinegar and cornstarch in a small bowl.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 cups cauliflower; cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add scallions and garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add 1 cup edamame; cook, stirring often, until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Whisk the reserved sauce and add it to the pan; cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick and coating the cauliflower, about 1 minute.
4. Serve sprinkled with a pinch of crushed red pepper, if desired.

Recipe nutrition per serving: 174 Calories, Total Fat: 12 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Carbohydrates: 13 g, Fiber: 4 g, Total Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 5 g, Sodium: 284 mg, Potassium: 364 mg, Phosphorus: 79 mg, Iron: 1 mg, Folate: 114 mcg, Calcium: 59 mg, Vitamin A: 359 IU, Vitamin C: 33 mg, Vitamin D: 0 IU.

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©2025 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.