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Authentic Mexican Mole Sauce

A rich, complex traditional Mexican mole sauce combining dried chiles, spices, nuts, and chocolate for a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and depth. Perfect for enchiladas, chicken, or any grilled meats.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 507

Ingredients
  

  • 6 dried chipotle chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 2 ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds
  • ½ teaspoon anise seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 cinnamon stick broken into pieces
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 corn tortilla torn into pieces
  • 1 tomato chopped
  • 2 tomatillos husked and chopped
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate 70-85% cacao, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add dried chiles and toast for about 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until they become fragrant but not burnt. Transfer to a bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 20 minutes to soften.
  2. In the same skillet, toast sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds until golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove and set aside.
  3. Toast anise seeds, cumin seeds, and cinnamon pieces for 1-2 minutes until aromatic. Add to the seed mixture.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  5. Add torn tortilla pieces and cook for 2 minutes until slightly crisp. Add tomato and tomatillos, cooking for 5 more minutes until softened.
  6. Drain the soaked chiles, reserving ½ cup of the soaking liquid. Add the chiles to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes.
  7. Transfer the skillet contents to a blender. Add the toasted seed mixture and the reserved chile soaking liquid. Blend until smooth, working in batches if necessary.
  8. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Carefully pour in the blended sauce (it may splatter). Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
  9. Stir in chicken broth, chopped chocolate, and brown sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for about 25-30 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  10. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add more broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce further.

Nutrition

Calories: 507kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 11gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 1373mgFiber: 11gSugar: 43g
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