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  3. Mole Sauce
Rich mole sauce being poured over enchiladas

Complex Mexican chocolate and chili sauce

Mole Sauce

Mole Sauce

1hHard

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

40 min

Total Time

1 hr

Servings

8

4 cups

Difficulty

Advanced

Cost

Moderate

$$

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Mole Sauce

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

Mexican CuisineSide DishDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

January 10, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

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.

Why This Recipe Works

Toasting dried chilies and spices before blending awakens their essential oils and deepens flavor. The small amount of chocolate adds richness and rounds out the heat without making the sauce sweet.

Ingredients

  • 4 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
  • 1 oz Mexican chocolate (or dark chocolate)
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
  • 1 can (14 oz) fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. 1

    Toast dried chilies in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until pliable and fragrant. Soak in hot water for 20 minutes.

  2. 2

    Toast sesame seeds in the same skillet until golden. Set aside.

  3. 3

    Blend soaked chilies, tomatoes, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and 1 cup soaking liquid until very smooth.

  4. 4

    Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 25 minutes, stirring often.

  5. 5

    Stir in chopped chocolate until melted. Season with salt and sugar to balance flavors.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • 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

Substitutions

Ancho chiliesPasilla chilies

Similar mild, fruity flavor

Mexican chocolateDark chocolate + pinch of cinnamon

Good substitute for Abuelita or Ibarra

FlavorPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Dried Chiles

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the dried chiles matter

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.

  • More depth than standard chile powder
  • Useful across sauces, braises, and marinades

Dried chiles are one of the best pantry upgrades if these flavors show up in your cooking.

Shop dried chiles for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Do not burn the chilies when toasting—they should be fragrant, not blackened.

  • Strain the sauce for the silkiest texture, pressing solids with a spoon.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 1 week. Freezes beautifully for up to 6 months.

Reheating

Warm over low heat, adding broth or water to thin as needed.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (0mg) · 8 servings

Calories80
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein2g
Carbohydrates4g
Fat10g
Fiber190mg
Sugar3g
Sodium4g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mole taste like chocolate?
No—the chocolate adds depth and richness but the sauce tastes of chilies and spices.
Can I use cocoa powder?
Yes, use 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder as a substitute.

Explore More

More Mexican RecipesMore Side DishDairy-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

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.

View all recipes →

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