Mole-Inspired Braised Beef Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cilantro

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-braised beef cooked in a rich, smoky mole-inspired sauce, served in warm tortillas with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame for a Mexican street food twist. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs dried ancho chili powder, cocoa powder, unsweetened, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 2 pounds beef chuck roast cubes with 1.5 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper, then brown in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply caramelized. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons dried ancho chili powder, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the pot. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes and 1.5 cups beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Return beef to the pot, cover, and simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Warm 12 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side until pliable. Shred the braised beef and pile onto tortillas. Garnish each taco with 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds and 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with lime wedges if desired.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mole-Inspired Braised Beef Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cilantro take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mole-Inspired Braised Beef Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cilantro?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried ancho chili powder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mole-Inspired Braised Beef Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cilantro?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mole-Inspired Braised Beef Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cilantro for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Mole-Inspired Braised Beef Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cilantro?

Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes