General Tso’s Soy Curls

General Tso’s Soy Curls makes any dinner seem special with its sticky sweet and slightly spicy sauce. Making it with soy curls gives you the same texture as the chicken version, but this one has no added oil and uses your favorite liquid sweetener – including date syrup! 

General Tso is one of the most popular dishes at Chinese restaurants in America. Americans love it because it’s sticky sweet, salty, and a little spicy too. It’s the perfect balance of all those in one single bite. The sauce is usually served on deep-fried chicken, but we tossed reconstituted soy curls in our sauce to create the perfect vegan substitute for General Tso chicken.

Want to know more about soy curls? Get all the details on my soy curl page, plus more recipes that use Butler’s soy curls.

Want some more recipes to serve along with this?

Dishes like this call out for appetizers, other stir-frys to share, and even congee-which is great for upset tummies or nights when you are not feeling well!

Try my go-to Easy Broccoli with Garlic Sauce Recipe, an Air Fryer Edamame appetizer that I sometimes eat for lunch, Vegan Gyoza, this easy stir fry, or try my Steel-Cut Oat Congee on days your tummy needs extra love.

What is General Tso’s sauce made of?

The traditional restaurant version is made with soy sauce, vinegar, chicken stock, sugar, and sesame seed oil. That means it may not be vegan even if you order it with tofu instead of chicken.

Don’t be afraid to do your research before you go to a new-to-you restaurant, and ask questions to find out what dishes can be made vegan. Many places are marking dishes that can be made vegan and/or gluten-free, but in smaller venues, you may have to ask.

Is General Tso vegan?

Some Chinese places will add chicken broth to this sauce, so you will need to ask some questions to make sure it’s vegan.

Honestly, it’s an easy sauce to make from scratch. In my recipe, I add a little nutritional yeast to give it a similar umami flavor as the original.

What are Butler soy curls?

Butler Foods is a small family run company in Oregon. They make three non-GMO soy products and a vegan chicken-style season.

What’s in General Tso’s Soy Curls?

The most important part is the amazing sauce. It’s easy to make in your blender, and you can easily make this gluten-free, low sodium, and pick the sweetener that fits your particular diet.

The nutritional yeast, tomato paste, and soy sauce all bring the umami flavors in this sauce.

• ½  cup water
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• ¼  cup soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup, date syrup, or agave nectar
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil or tahini
• ¼ teaspoon ground chili or sriracha to taste
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons organic cornstarch

For the Pan:

That gets tossed with ½ package Soy Curls that are rehydrated. You can serve over steamed brown rice and serve with your favorite steamed veggies. I love it with the traditional broccoli.

How do you make General Tso sauce from scratch?

Blend all the blender ingredients until smooth. Set aside ¼ cup of the sauce in a small bowl and whisk in the cornstarch. This is what creates that thick and glossy sauce we love.

Add the soy curls and sauce to a large nonstick skillet. Cook over medium heat until the sauce reduces some, then stir in the thickening mixture and cook until it’s as thick as you’d like it. Note: You could add more veggies of all kinds in the stir fry.

How do I store cooked soy curls?

You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to one week. Then cook until heated thoroughly. If you want to, you can heat the soy curls separately from the sauce.

Can I freeze General Tso Soy Curls?

You can make this dish ahead of time and freeze for another night, or you can freeze leftovers. I like to make a double batch, so I have dinner tonight and another ready-to-go meal in the freezer.

It’s like doing a favor for your future self!

Want more Butler soy curl recipes?

Have I got some soy curl recipes for you! If you want to cook some Instant Pot soy curls try my Pad Thai with Soy Curls, or my caballero bean soy curl chili – you can substitute regular white beans for the heirlooms. 

Want to make some soy curl takeout recipes? I’ve got you covered with Oil-Free Vegan Butter Chicken Soy Curls, Date-Sweetened Teriyaki Soy Curls, or these super easy tacos.

You need to try my Southern Style Air Fryer Soy Curls, even if you don’t have an air fryer, because you can cook them in your oven. They are my reader’s favorite. My guilt-free treat way to serve them is over whole-food plant-based mashed potatoes with oil-free gravy and some vinegary greens – yum!