Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spicy Chocolate Sauce
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in a rich, spicy chocolate mole sauce, served in warm corn tortillas with fresh toppings for an authentic Mexican street food experience. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 210 minutes blends pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks, dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded, garlic cloves into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 3 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 2 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- for serving lime wedges
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 3 dried ancho chilies and 2 dried guajillo chilies in hot water for 20 minutes until softened. Drain and blend with 4 garlic cloves, 1 medium quartered onion, 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 1/2 tsp salt. Brown the pork on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total.
- Step 3: Pour the chili-chocolate sauce over the browned pork. Add 2 cups chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until pork is tender and shreddable.
- Step 4: Warm 12 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 5: Shred the pork and spoon generously into tortillas. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spicy Chocolate Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (30 min prep + 180 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spicy Chocolate Sauce?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mole-Inspired Pork Tacos with Spicy Chocolate Sauce?
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 Pork Tacos with Spicy Chocolate Sauce 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 Pork Tacos with Spicy Chocolate Sauce?
Mexican tacos & burritos 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.
