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General Tso’s Brussels Sprouts

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Are you ready for the best brussels sprouts recipe EVER? Imagine roasted brussels sprouts doused in General Tso’s sauce. They’re sweet, tangy, spicy, and better than you can imagine. A quick 30-minute dish to spice up your weeknights!

General Tso's Brussels Sprouts - easy, healthy side dish #vegetarian #healthyrecipe

General Tso probably never saw a single brussels sprout in his life, but this is the day when he finally meets them.

I lived a good 20 years before getting acquainted with General Tso. It happened at an unassuming Chinese restaurant in Davis with my college friends. I remember feeling embarrassed that my Chinese upbringing didn’t teach me about the ways of the General. But one bite into that fresh out the wok, deep fried chicken slathered in tangy sweet sauce, and all that shame melted away. I found my new Chinese restaurant addiction.

Even after all these years, I still don’t know who General Tso really is. Do you? There’s a documentary called The Search for General Tso that I’ve been aching to watch. It’s supposed to be a detective-style documentary, devoted to tracing the origins of this famed dish. I haven’t actually watched it yet, and I have no clue how to get my hands on a copy. (If you have any leads, do tell. Muffins will come your way.) Based on what I’ve read of the movie so far, the people behind the documentary do find a General Tso, but he wasn’t known for his cooking. That was the work of genius Chinese restaurant owners, who named the dish after him.

Speaking of which, what is with our obsession of associating fried chicken with military men? General Tso, Colonel Sanders, Popeyes. Is there something about fried chicken and machismo that I need to know about?

They're tangy, sweet, spicy, and the perfect 30-minute dish for your weeknight meals! General Tso's Brussels Sprouts | healthynibblesandbits

Now, I’m sure we all know someone who just hates brussels sprouts. We judge them for their ways, but we also want them to come over to the bright side. The next time you hear your friend complaining about how awful brussels sprouts are, here is the recipe to pull on them. This is hands down, one of the BEST batch of brussels sprouts I’ve ever had. You know all those sweet, tangy, spicy flavors you love in General Tso’s chicken? They’re all here, and then some. These brussels were so good, I licked the bowl after I was done! See for yourself.

They're tangy, sweet, spicy, and the perfect 30-minute dish for your weeknight meals! General Tso's Brussels Sprouts | healthynibblesandbits
5 from 1 vote
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Servings: 5 Servings
Author: Lisa Lin

General Tso’s Brussels Sprouts

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds (675g) brussels sprouts
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • pinch of salt

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium tamari, or soy sauce if not gluten free
  • 2 tablespoons shaoxing wine, can substitute with mirin or a white cooking wine
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger, about a 1/2-inch piece of ginger
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, depending on how much heat you want

Optional Toppings

  • sliced scallions, dark parts only
  • sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400ºF (205ºC). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • ROAST BRUSSELS SPROUTS: Trim the bottoms of the brussels sprouts and chop them in half. Toss them with the olive oil and sprinkle with a small pinch of salt. Spread brussels sprouts onto the lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the leaves have browned.
  • PREPARE SAUCE: In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, shaoxing wine, vinegar, honey and sesame oil together. In another small bowl, mix the water and cornstarch together until the cornstarch is well dissolved. If you accidentally mixed the cornstarch with the soy sauce mixture, don’t worry, just stir until it’s well incorporated.
  • Heat the canola in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook until the spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the soy sauce mixture, then add the cornstarch mixture and the red chili flakes. Bring the sauce to boil and let it simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
  • MIX BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH SAUCE: When the brussels sprouts are done, pour them into a large bowl. Pour about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the sauce onto the brussels sprouts and stir. Feel free to add more sauce if you like. If you prepared the sauce ahead of time, and it’s very thick, just warm it up a little again before stirring it with the brussels sprouts.
  • Sprinkle sliced scallions and sesame seeds to garnish.

Notes

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Amount per serving: Calories: 178, Total Fat 7.2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 639mg, Cholesterol: 0mg, Total Carbohydrate: 25g, Dietary Fiber: 5.3g, Sugar: 13.5g, Protein 6g
  • Shaoxing wine is one of those ingredients that always pop up in Chinese recipes. They give the sauce more depth. But if you don’t have any available, use another type of cooking wine or add more water.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @hellolisalin or leave a star rating and comment on the blog!

 Looking for more brussels sprouts recipes?

Pomegranate Glazed Brussels Sprouts | healthynibblesandbits.com #vegan

Pomegranate Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts with Ham & Corn

Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Ham & Corn

Lisa Lin Head Shot

Hello! I’m Lisa Lin

Here, you’ll find well-tested Asian recipes, pantry guides, and recipes from my sassy mother, Mama Lin. Through my recipes and cooking videos, I hope to honor the food and traditions that surrounded my Chinese American upbringing.

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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  2. Julie | This Gal Cooks says

    We grilled brussels sprouts with bacon last night and while I love them with bacon, I make them that way all the time! Wish I would have seen this recipe first because I totally would have made it instead!

    Reply

  5. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says

    Lol- I never thought of how many fried chicken places are associated with military men but now that you point it out, it’s kind of funny! I’m sure it has something to do with making people think they’ll be as strong and powerful if they eat fried chicken. I personally don’t see the connection.

    But anyways, I love brussel sprouts and these flavors sound like they’d be amazing! General Tso #ftw! 😉

    Reply

    • Lisa says

      Hehe, thanks! Maybe we can find a copy and watch it together next month! OMG, the conference is next month already!

      Reply

  9. Linda @ Veganosity says

    I actually believe you when you say these are the best Brussels sprouts ever. One look at the recipe and I get it. I’d substitute veggie broth for the chicken broth, but other than that, Delicious! Pinned!

    Reply

    • Lisa says

      Thanks, Linda! Actually, I meant to say vegetable broth instead of chicken broth! Thanks for catching it!

      Reply

  11. genevieve @ gratitude & greens says

    I never thought about fried chicken and military men until you pointed it out- that is way too funny! I’ve seen the trailer for that documentary and I’m aching to see it too! These sprouts sound delicious, even though I’m not especially well acquainted with General Tso 😛

    Reply

  12. Julia says

    YEEEES! I love brussels sprouts every which way and never would have thought to cook them up with General Tso sauce! This is pure perfection and I need it for all my side dishing needs!

    Reply

    • Lisa says

      After I cooked this, I’ve been obsessed with Chinese sauce + brussels sprouts combo. Definitely worth trying!

      Reply

  21. Elizabeth @ bowl of delicious! says

    THESE. LOOK. AMAZING!!! I love brussels sprouts, and I love when they are paired with something sweetish- like honey. The sauce looks amazing- sweet, spicy, and savory. I can’t wait to try this- and it’s a much healthier alternative to using meat! Thanks for the awesome recipe. Pinned!

    Reply

  22. Liz says

    These look like the most flavorful brussels sprouts I have ever seen! I’ve eaten (what I think is) a similar recipe out at a restaurant and always wondered how they made them so flavorful—- I think you’ve cracked the code!

    Reply
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