Complex Mexican chocolate and chili sauce
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
40 min
Total Time
1 hr
Servings
8
4 cups
Difficulty
Advanced
Cost
Moderate
$$
Complex Mexican chocolate and chili sauce
A deeply complex sauce layering dried chilies, chocolate, spices, and nuts into a rich, velvety masterpiece. This simplified mole captures the essence of the traditional Oaxacan recipe.
20m
Prep Time
40m
Cook Time
60m
Total Time
8
Servings
Hard
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
(Updated )
Mole is the crown jewel of Mexican cooking—a sauce that layers dozens of flavors into one harmonious whole. This streamlined version captures the essential complexity in about an hour.
Toast dried chilies in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until pliable and fragrant. Soak in hot water for 20 minutes.
Toast sesame seeds in the same skillet until golden. Set aside.
Blend soaked chilies, tomatoes, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and 1 cup soaking liquid until very smooth.
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 25 minutes, stirring often.
Stir in chopped chocolate until melted. Season with salt and sugar to balance flavors.
Serve with warm corn tortillas and fresh lime wedges
Top with crumbled queso fresco and sliced avocado
Pair with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans
Similar mild, fruity flavor
Good substitute for Abuelita or Ibarra
Test Kitchen Pick
Dried Chiles
Helpful Pantry Staple
The chile base sets the flavor profile here. Whole dried chiles give you a deeper, cleaner taste than leaning on a generic powder.
This ingredient shapes the sauce more than another topping would.
Dried chiles are one of the best pantry upgrades if these flavors show up in your cooking.
Shop dried chiles for this recipeDo not burn the chilies when toasting—they should be fragrant, not blackened.
Strain the sauce for the silkiest texture, pressing solids with a spoon.
Refrigerate for up to 1 week. Freezes beautifully for up to 6 months.
Warm over low heat, adding broth or water to thin as needed.
Per serving (0mg) · 8 servings
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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