Stir-Fried General Tso’s Cauliflower with Spicy Garlic Sauce
A plant-based twist on the classic General Tso’s chicken featuring crispy cauliflower florets tossed in a bold, spicy garlic sauce. This Chinese-inspired stir-fry recipe (vegan, vegetarian), ready in about 30 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 220 calories and feeds 3, 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.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, finely minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, finely grated ginger
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup water
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
- 1 tsp for garnish sesame seeds
The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 4 cups cauliflower florets with 1/2 cup cornstarch in a large bowl until each floret is evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated cauliflower and stir-fry for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup water.
- Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the cauliflower. Stir well and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the florets.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds before serving.








