Description
This Homemade General Tso Sauce is a quick and flavorful sauce that brings the classic tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors of General Tso’s chicken to your dishes. Made with soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, this versatile sauce thickens to a perfect consistency, ideal for stir-fries or as a dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium if preferred)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar (or honey for a more natural sweetener)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust for desired heat)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water (for thickening)
- 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth (optional, for more volume)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to mix all the flavors thoroughly.
- Simmer Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld and the sauce to heat evenly.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch-water mixture while continuously stirring to prevent lumps. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add the optional chicken or vegetable broth gradually and stir to combine until the sauce reaches the preferred thickness.
- Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding more sugar for sweetness or additional red pepper flakes for extra heat as desired.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool slightly before using. It is now ready to be tossed with chicken, vegetables, or served as a dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute honey for sugar for a more natural sweetener.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the sauce.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
- The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For a vegetarian or vegan option, use vegetable broth and ensure hoisin sauce is vegan-friendly.
