Slow-Simmered Black Mole with Toasted Chilies and Chocolate
A rich, complex Oaxacan black mole sauce slow-simmered with toasted chilies and dark chocolate, perfect for drizzling over chicken or vegetables. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 80 minutes pairs dried pasilla chilies, dried mulato chilies, dried ancho chilies for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces dried pasilla chilies
- 3 pieces dried mulato chilies
- 3 pieces dried ancho chilies
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, quartered white onion
- 4 cloves, peeled garlic cloves
- 2 medium, quartered tomato
- 1 stick (2 inches) cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 2 oz, chopped unsweetened dark chocolate
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- to taste salt
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast 4 dried pasilla chilies, 3 dried mulato chilies, and 3 dried ancho chilies for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly puffed; then remove stems and seeds.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 3 tbsp vegetable oil and sauté 1 medium quartered white onion and 4 peeled garlic cloves over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 medium quartered tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 more minutes until they soften and start to caramelize.
- Step 4: Transfer the toasted chilies, sautéed onion, garlic, and tomatoes to a blender with 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, 1 tsp black peppercorns, and 1 cup chicken broth; blend until completely smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the blended sauce into a large saucepan, add 2 more cups chicken broth, 2 oz chopped unsweetened dark chocolate, 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and salt to taste; simmer gently over low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Black Mole with Toasted Chilies and Chocolate take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 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 Slow-Simmered Black Mole with Toasted Chilies and Chocolate?
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 pasilla chilies from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Black Mole with Toasted Chilies and Chocolate?
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 Slow-Simmered Black Mole with Toasted Chilies and Chocolate 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 Slow-Simmered Black Mole with Toasted Chilies and Chocolate?
Mexican mexican 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.
