Description
General Tso Shrimp is a deliciously crispy and flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring large shrimp coated in a light batter, fried to perfection, and tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. This quick stovetop recipe combines savory hoisin sauce, soy, garlic, and ginger to create an irresistible meal served best over steamed rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails removed)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Garnish and Serving
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Steamed rice for serving
Instructions
- Season and Coat Shrimp: In a medium bowl, season the shrimp with salt and black pepper. Prepare two separate bowls—one with the beaten eggs, and the other with a mixture of cornstarch and all-purpose flour. Dip each shrimp first into the egg mixture, then dredge it in the flour and cornstarch mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating.
- Fry the Shrimp: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, transfer the shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch until smooth. This mixture will thicken when cooked, providing the sauce’s signature glaze.
- Sauté Aromatics and Thicken Sauce: Using a clean skillet or wok, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and stir continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Toss Shrimp in Sauce: Add the crispy fried shrimp to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat each shrimp evenly, ensuring they are fully infused with the sweet and savory sauce.
- Serve: Serve the General Tso Shrimp immediately over steaming hot rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, you can air-fry or bake the shrimp at 400°F until crispy, then toss with the sauce.
- Chicken or tofu can be used as substitutes for shrimp using the same coating and sauce method.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes for more or less heat depending on your spice preference.
