General Sal’s Mushroom

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This vegetarian twist on the beloved American Chinese classic delivers everything you love about General Tso’s—crispy texture, sweet and tangy sauce, and just the right amount of heat—using meaty, golden-brown mushrooms in place of chicken. These General Tso’s Mushrooms are battered, fried until perfectly crisp, and then coated in a glossy, garlicky sauce that’s equal parts sticky, spicy, and addictive. The mushrooms soak up all that rich flavor while maintaining their juicy bite, making them a standout main dish or shareable appetizer that just happens to be 100% vegetarian. Whether you’re craving a plant-based alternative to your usual takeout or simply looking to shake up your weeknight dinner routine, this recipe delivers all the bold, nostalgic flavor with a fresh, veggie-forward twist. Serve over steamed rice with scallions and sesame seeds for the full experience.

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

  • Ingredients Sauce
  • 106g (½ Cup) Vegetable Stock
  • 70 g (4 Tbsp) Tomato Paste
  • 48g (2 ¼ tsp) Soy Sauce
  • 20g (1 ½ Tbsp) Chili Sauce
  • 37g (2 Tbsp) Hoisin Sauce
  • 12g (1 ½ Tbsp) Sesame Oil
  • 10g (2 Tbsp) Black Garlic
  • 135g (¼ Cup) Honey
  • 4.5g (¾ Tbsp) Ultra-Tex 3
  • Ingredients Marinade:
  • 1 LB King Oyster Mushrooms
  • 215g (8 Eggs) Egg Whites
  • 60g (4 Tbsp ) Soy Sauce
  • 40g (4 Tbsp) Rice Wine Vinegar
  • Ingredients Dredge:
  • 100g (¾ Cup) AP Flour
  • 60g (½ Cup) Crisp Coat UC
  • 100g (¾ Cup) AP Flour
  • 25g (¼ Cup) EverCrisp
  • 2g (1 tsp) Porcini Powder
  • 2 Quarts Vegetable Oil
  • Sesame Seeds for Garnish
  • Chopped Scallions for Garnish

Equipment

  • Immersion Blender
  • Heavy Bottomed Medium Pot 
  • x3 Medium Bowls 
  • Slotted Spoon 
  • Sheet Tray with Rack

Timing

Active Time: 45 Minutes Total Time: 45 Minutes

Yield

1 Pound

  • Create Sauce

    Add all the ingredients for the sauce in the blender except the Utra-Tex 3.
     
    Turn the blender on to medium high speed and run for 30-45 seconds.
     
    While running, sprinkle in the Ultra-Tex 3 and run for 30-45 seconds at high speed reserve until ready to use.
     
    You can omit the black garlic if it is not available to you and just add 20 grams / 4 Tbsp of roasted garlic.
     

  • Create Marinade

    For the marinade add all the ingredients into the blender and blend at medium high speed for 30 seconds. Pour the marinade into a bowl.
     
    Add the mushrooms to the marinade and let marinade for 10 minutes and up to 24 hours.
     

  • Dredge Marinated Mushrooms

    For the dredge thoroughly combine the AP flour and Crisp Coat in one bowl and the Evercrisp, AP flour and porcini powder in another bowl.
     
    Heat the oil to 375°F.
     
    Remove the mushrooms from the marinade and shake off the excess marinade.
     
    Toss the marinated mushrooms into the Crisp Coat dredge, shake off the excess, put back in marinade and then into the Evercrisp dredge.
     

  • Fry General Tso Mushrooms and Enjoy

    Fry coated mushrooms for 2- 3 minutes
     
    Remove mushrooms from the fryer and place on a sheet tray with a rack or on a paper towel lined plate.
     
    When all the mushrooms are fried, toss in a bowl with the General Tso sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.
     
    Enjoy!!
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