Why You’ll Love this Rich Mexican Mole Sauce
While many home cooks shy away from making mole sauce from scratch, I’m convinced this recipe will change your mind forever. The combination of dark chocolate with warm spices creates a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible.
What makes this sauce special? For starters, it strikes the perfect balance between complexity and simplicity. The dark chocolate (Hershey’s Special Dark is my go-to) adds a subtle sweetness that mellows the heat from the chili powder. And that hint of cinnamon? Pure magic.
The best part is how versatile this sauce becomes in your kitchen arsenal. Drizzle it over chicken, enchiladas, or even scrambled eggs for a luxurious twist. Can you imagine your family’s faces when you casually mention you made mole from scratch?
What Ingredients are in Rich Mexican Mole Sauce?
Making a delicious mole sauce at home is easier than you might think. This rich, complex sauce combines earthy spices, chocolate, and broth to create that authentic Mexican flavor that transforms ordinary dishes into something truly special. With just a handful of ingredients and some patience, you can create restaurant-quality mole right in your kitchen.
- 4½ cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 3 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2½ tablespoons chili powder
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
When shopping for these ingredients, the quality of your chocolate really matters. The recipe suggests Hershey’s Special Dark, which adds a nice sweetness that helps balance the savory and spicy elements. You could also experiment with different types of dark chocolate—some with higher cacao percentages will create a more intense, less sweet flavor profile. And while this recipe keeps things relatively simple, authentic Mexican mole sauces sometimes include additional ingredients like nuts, seeds, or dried fruits for even more complexity. Feel free to adjust the spices to your heat preference, especially the chili powder.
How to Make this Rich Mexican Mole Sauce
Making this mole sauce is a journey of layering flavors that create a deeply satisfying result. Start by heating 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 1 cup of finely chopped onion, 3 tablespoons of chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. This aromatic base is what gives mole its distinctive character. Cover the pan and let these ingredients mingle for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. The kitchen will start to fill with the most intoxicating smell—warm, earthy, and slightly sweet from the cinnamon.
Now comes the pivotal step that builds the sauce’s body and depth. Mix in 2 1/2 tablespoons of chili powder and 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, stirring continuously for 3 minutes. This brief cooking period toasts the spices and removes any raw flour taste, sort of like making a roux but with added spice complexity. Gradually whisk in 4 1/2 cups of chicken broth—doing this slowly prevents lumps from forming. Turn the heat up to medium-high and let the mixture boil and reduce for about 35 minutes, giving it an occasional stir. You’ll notice the sauce thickening beautifully as it reduces.
The final magic touch? Remove the pan from heat and whisk in 2 ounces of chopped dark chocolate. I find Hershey’s Special Dark works wonderfully here, as its slight sweetness balances the savory and spicy elements. For an authentic preparation, consider using premium Mexican appliances which provide precise temperature control essential for perfecting complex sauces like mole. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and there you have it—a rich, complex mole sauce ready to transform whatever you pour it over.
Rich Mexican Mole Sauce Substitutions and Variations
Every great mole sauce can be personalized to match your taste preferences or accommodate what’s already in your pantry. Don’t have dark chocolate? Try semi-sweet chocolate chips in a pinch, though you might want to reduce any additional sweeteners. Vegetarians can easily swap chicken broth for vegetable broth without sacrificing depth.
For a nuttier profile, I’d suggest adding 2-3 tablespoons of almond butter or peanut butter when you whisk in the chocolate. Want it spicier? Toss in a dried chipotle pepper during simmering, or add a pinch of cayenne at the end. Some cooks, who clearly have more patience than me, toast and grind their own spices—which, admittedly, creates an even more complex flavor.
Traditional moles often include raisins or dried fruit for sweetness rather than chocolate.
What to Serve with Rich Mexican Mole Sauce
While your mole sauce simmers to perfection, it’s time to ponder what deserves to be draped in this velvety, complex mixture. The chocolate-infused richness practically begs for proteins that can stand up to its intensity.
Chicken thighs or breasts are my go-to choice, particularly bone-in pieces that retain moisture under that blanket of sauce. For something more substantial, try pork shoulder, sliced after slow-cooking until tender. Vegetarians needn’t miss out—roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower steaks, or hearty portobello mushrooms make excellent vehicles for mole.
As for sides, Mexican rice with its tomato-tinged grains creates the perfect backdrop, while warm corn tortillas are essential for sopping up every last drop. Wouldn’t a simple cucumber salad provide the ideal crisp contrast to all that richness?
Final Thoughts
Mastery of this rich mole sauce might just transform your home cooking repertoire forever. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a sauce with such complex flavors from scratch—the way the chocolate melts into the spiced broth, creating that signature velvety texture that’s both earthy and slightly sweet.
I’m convinced that homemade mole sauce is one of those culinary achievements worth celebrating. The beauty lies in how you can adjust the recipe to your taste—add more chocolate for sweetness or amp up the chili powder for heat. Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list or cooking time; the process is forgiving and the results, absolutely worth it. Think of it as your secret weapon for elevating ordinary meals into memorable dining experiences.