Home → Gluten-Free → Vegan General Tso Cauliflower
- by Michelle Blackwood, RN
Enjoy flavorful Vegan General Tso cauliflower for an easy weeknight meal, cauliflower florets battered and baked, then coated in a delicious sauce. You definitely won't need take-out with this healthier recipe.
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Vegan general tso cauliflower has emerged as a delightful and hearty vegetarian alternative to the beloved Chinese-American classic, General Tso’s Chicken. With plant-based diets gaining more traction, General Tso’s Cauliflower offers a way for more people to enjoy the iconic flavors of this traditional dish without the meat.
Even though General Tso Cauliflower isn’t a traditional Chinese food, it has become a popular item on the menus of many Chinese restaurants in the last few years. It’s easy to understand why—the crunchy cauliflower and tasty sauce go exceptionally well together. General Tso Cauliflower is a great dish to try if you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or want to try something different.
I’m so in love with vegan General Tso recipes, they are quick and easy to prepare and the flavor is amazing, like myGeneral Tso ChickpeasandGeneral Tso Tofu.
Popularity
Vegan general tso cauliflower has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in the United States. The dish is often served in Asian fusion restaurants and is a favorite among vegetarians and vegans.
The popularity of General Tso Cauliflower can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it is a healthier alternative to General Tso’s chicken, which is often deep-fried and high in calories. Secondly, it is a flavorful and spicy dish that appeals to a wide range of tastes. Finally, it is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course.
I enjoy making popular takeout dishes at home. I get to adapt them and make them from scratch with simple ingredients without sacrificing the taste.
The recipes end up being a lot healthier than the takeout version. For instance, for my General Tso Cauliflower recipe, I baked the cauliflower florets after dipping them in a batter. I ended up with a crispy texture.
Ingredients
Cauliflower is a versatile cruciferous vegetable with a deep, tomato-like flavor and color.
- Lemon juice adds a fresh, acidic brightness to dishes, balancing other flavors.
- Sesame Oil: A fragrant oil with a strong, nutty flavor, commonly used in Asian cooking.
- Cayenne pepper is a hot chili powder that adds a spicy kick.
- Cornstarch is a thickening agent derived from corn used to give sauces and gravies a smooth consistency.
- Green Onion: Also known as scallions, these add a mild, crisp onion flavor and are often used as a garnish.
- Avocado Oil: A mild, versatile oil with a high smoke point, ideal for cooking.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic adds a pungent, aromatic flavor that’s more intense than garlic powder.
How To Make General Tso Cauliflower?
Preheat oven 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly spray, and set aside.
- Combine the batter ingredients in a bowl and whisk to form a loose batter; you may need to add some water.
- Dip the florets into the batter one by one and place them on the baking sheet. Spray or brush with oil. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning halfway.
- While the cauliflower florets are baking, prepare the sauce.
- Combine vegetable broth, maple syrup, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, tomato paste, lemon juice, sesame oil, cayenne pepper, and cornstarch in a bowl and whisk to fully combine. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add garlic and ginger; and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the liquid ingredients and stir constantly until the sauce bubbles and thickens.
- Add baked cauliflower florets and toss to full coat; sprinkle with green onions; and serve immediately.
Other Cauliflower Recipes To Try
- Cauliflower Nuggets
- Jamaican Jerk Cauliflower
- Easy To Make Barbecue Cauliflower Wings
- Gluten-Free Vegan Cauliflower Hash Browns
- Vegan Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Cauliflower Curry Recipe
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower
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General Tso Cauliflower
Gen Tso's Chicken is a well-known Chinese-American dish people have loved for decades. But as plant-based diets become more popular, many people seek meals that don't contain meat. This is where General Tso Cauliflower comes in. It's a tasty and filling vegetarian take on the famous dish.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: cauliflower general tso, general tso cauliflower, general tso cauliflower baked, general tso’s cauliflower baked, vegan general tso cauliflower
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 234kcal
Author: Michelle Blackwood, RN
Equipment
1 Ceramic Skillet
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Ingredients
For The Cauliflower Batter
- 1 cauliflower cut into florets
- 1/2 cup rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or water
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For The Sauce
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or cane sugar
- 3 tablespoons Bragg liquid aminos or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 green onion chopped for garnish
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger grated
Instructions
Preheat oven 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly spray and set aside.
Combine rice flour, almond milk, nutritional yeast flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, salt in a bowl and whisk to form a loose batter, may need to add some water.
Dip florets into batter one by one and place them onto the baking sheet. Spray or brush with oil. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning halfway.
While the cauliflower florets are baking, prepare the sauce.
Combine vegetable broth, maple syrup, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, tomato paste, lemon juice, sesame oil, cayenne pepper, and cornstarch in a bowl and whisk to fully combine. Set aside.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add garlic, ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Do a quick whisk again of the sauce ingredients, then add to the sauteed garlic, ginger and stir constantly until sauce bubbles and thickens about 2 minutes.
Add baked cauliflower florets and toss to full coat, sprinkle with green onions and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 926mg | Potassium: 646mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 329IU | Vitamin C: 74mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 1mg
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Michelle Blackwood, RN
Hi, I’m Michelle, I’m the voice, content creator and photographer behind Healthier Steps. I share vegan and gluten-free recipes because of past health issues. My goal is to help you make healthier choices and show you how healthy eating is easy and delicious.
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Please Leave a Comment and a Rating
1 Comment
Edward jusu January 31, 2024
Reply ↓
This recipe is more than delicious 😋