Spiced General Tso-Inspired Cauliflower Stir-Fry

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vegetarian take on the classic General Tso's Chicken, featuring crispy cauliflower florets tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce. This chinese-inspired vegetarian ready in about 35 minutes pairs cauliflower florets, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 4 cups cauliflower florets with 1/3 cup cornstarch in a large bowl until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry cauliflower in batches for 4-5 minutes each until golden and crispy, transferring to a paper towel-lined plate.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes.
  4. Step 4: Remove all but 1 tbsp oil from the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Pour the sauce into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until it thickens and coats the pan.
  6. Step 6: Return the fried cauliflower to the skillet, tossing well to coat in the sauce. Cook for another minute to heat through.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced General Tso-Inspired Cauliflower Stir-Fry take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spiced General Tso-Inspired Cauliflower Stir-Fry?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cauliflower florets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced General Tso-Inspired Cauliflower Stir-Fry?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced General Tso-Inspired Cauliflower Stir-Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Spiced General Tso-Inspired Cauliflower Stir-Fry vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes