General Tso’s sauce is a sweet, tangy and spicy sauce that is commonly served with chicken in American Chinese restaurants. It has become a beloved staple of American Chinese takeout menus. But for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, enjoying this tasty sauce may seem off limits. So is General Tso’s sauce actually gluten free? Let’s take a closer look.
What is General Tso’s Sauce?
General Tso’s sauce was invented by Chef Peng Chang-kuei in Taiwan in the 1950s. It was named after Zuo Zongtang, a 19th century Qing Dynasty statesman and military leader, though the name was Westernized to “General Tso.” The sauce became popular in Taiwan and eventually made its way over to the United States, likely brought over by Peng when he fled to New York City in the 1970s.
Today, General Tso’s sauce is a sweet and spicy sauce made from ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, chili peppers and sugar. It also often contains cornstarch as a thickening agent. The sauce is tossed with fried chicken pieces and served atop rice or noodles. It has a glistening, sticky texture from the cornstarch and balanced sweet and sour flavor profile.
Does General Tso’s Sauce Traditionally Contain Gluten?
Most classic recipes for General Tso’s sauce do not contain gluten ingredients. The main ingredients are gluten-free:
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sugar
- Chili peppers
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Cornstarch
There are no wheat, barley, rye or other gluten-containing ingredients in the sauce. Some chefs may use oyster sauce, which contains wheat. But oyster sauce is not a traditional ingredient in General Tso’s sauce. So in its most classic form, General Tso’s sauce does not contain gluten.
Variations at Restaurants
While the classic General Tso’s sauce recipe is gluten-free, many restaurants put their own spin on the sauce. Restaurants may add ingredients like:
- Soy sauce – Some soy sauces contain wheat
- Hoisin sauce – Traditionally contains wheat
- Oyster sauce – Contains wheat
- Fish sauce – May contain wheat or barley malt
- MSG – May be derived from wheat
So despite the traditionally gluten-free recipe, restaurant versions of General Tso’s sauce are often not gluten-free. The ingredients that make the sauce thicker or add more complex flavor may introduce gluten.
Common Gluten-Containing Ingredients
Here are some of the most common potential sources of gluten lurking in restaurant General Tso’s sauces:
Soy Sauce
Many soy sauces contain wheat. Soy sauce is made by fermenting soybeans and wheat together to produce the trademark umami flavor. Tamari is a gluten-free substitute made with just soybeans and salt.
Hoisin Sauce
Hoisin sauce is commonly stirred into General Tso’s sauce. The main ingredients in hoisin are wheat flour, sugar, salt and soybeans. So hoisin sauce is not gluten-free.
Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce adds richness and savoriness to General Tso’s sauce. But it also contains wheat flour as a major ingredient. Oyster sauce is made by boiling oysters in water with salt, sugar and wheat flour to thicken it.
Fish Sauce
Some restaurants add a splash of fish sauce to General Tso’s sauce for an extra savory kick. Fish sauce is made from fermented fish. But it may also contain barley malt or wheat as additional ingredients, making it unsuitable for a gluten-free diet.
MSG
Monosodium glutamate or MSG is a common flavor enhancer used in Chinese cooking. It provides the savory umami taste. MSG can be made from wheat gluten or from bacteria fermentation of sugars. Only MSG derived from the latter process is gluten-free.
So while the classic General Tso’s sauce recipe is gluten-free, restaurants often alter the recipe in ways that introduce gluten. Modifications like adding soy sauce, hoisin sauce or oyster sauce are common. Always check with the restaurant on ingredients if you need to avoid gluten.
How to Get Gluten-Free General Tso’s Sauce
If you want to enjoy General Tso’s sauce while maintaining a gluten-free diet, here are some tips:
Make it at Home
Making General Tso’s sauce at home lets you control all the ingredients. Use a recipe without wheat, soy, hoisin or oyster sauce. Here is a simple gluten-free General Tso’s sauce recipe:
Gluten-Free General Tso’s Sauce
Ingredients:
- 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1⁄2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except cornstarch.
- In a small saucepan, mix cornstarch with 2 tsp cold water to make a slurry.
- Add sauce ingredients to saucepan and whisk in cornstarch slurry.
- Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and let cool before tossing with cooked chicken.
Ask About Ingredients
If dining out, ask your server about how General Tso’s sauce is prepared. Request confirmation that no wheat, soy sauce, hoisin sauce or oyster sauce is used. Have them verify with the kitchen staff if needed. A reputable restaurant should be able to provide you with accurate ingredient information.
Try a Specialty Restaurant
Some Chinese restaurants cater specifically to gluten-free diners. They Avoid hidden sources of gluten and offer clear gluten-free menu options. Large metro areas may have restaurants dedicated to gluten-free Chinese dishes.
Bring Your Own Sauce
Another option is to bring your own homemade General Tso’s sauce to add to plain chicken breast or shrimp at a restaurant. This lets you control exactly what goes into the sauce without hassling the restaurant kitchen.
Key Takeaways on General Tso’s Sauce and Gluten
Here are the key points on whether General Tso’s sauce contains gluten:
- Classic General Tso’s sauce recipes do not contain gluten.
- Restaurant versions often include gluten sources like soy sauce, hoisin sauce or oyster sauce.
- Check ingredients with any restaurant before eating their General Tso’s sauce.
- Make it yourself at home with a gluten-free recipe to control ingredients.
- Some Chinese restaurants offer dedicated gluten-free menus and options.
While General Tso’s sauce is not guaranteed to be gluten-free when dining out, some preparation and research can help you enjoy this tasty sauce while sticking to your gluten-free diet. With homemade recipes or verified restaurant versions, you can safely savor the sweet and spicy flavors of this Chinese restaurant classic.
Conclusion
General Tso’s sauce is a beloved Chinese takeout dish, but its gluten-free status depends on preparation. The classic recipe does not contain gluten. But restaurants often add ingredients like soy sauce, hoisin sauce or oyster sauce that introduce gluten. With care to avoid these additions, use of specialty gluten-free restaurants, and preparation of homemade versions, it is possible to enjoy gluten-free General Tso’s sauce. Checking on ingredients, bringing your own sauce, or choosing restaurants catering to gluten-free diners are key strategies. While not guaranteed gluten-free, with some planning you can still satisfy your craving for General Tso’s sauce on a gluten-free diet.