Mole Sauce: Where is it From and How to Make it

What are mole sauces?

Mole sauce is a traditional chili sauce widely used in Mexican cuisine. The term mole sauce—pronounced “moh-lay”—is used to describe a range of sauces that are all quite diverse. Mole sauces are rich and complex, come in numerous flavors, and generally contain a base of dried chilis, spices, fruits, seeds, nuts, and sometimes chocolate.

How is mole sauce made?

The process of making mole sauce is time-consuming. This is mostly down to the frying or roasting of each ingredient individually, which is the only way to get the best flavor out of everything. Eventually, all ingredients are ground and mixed into a fine powder, and after cooking, the end result is a thick paste. 

All of this is an arduous task done by hand. Traditionally, this work would be shared by female family members, and most Mexican families have their own rendition of mole sauce that is passed down through the generations.

The quality of the dried chilis is the key to making each mole sauce taste unique. The 2 most classic moles, poblano mole and mole negro, include 2 or more chili peppers such as ancho, pasilla, mulato, and chipotle. Other typical ingredients in mole sauces include:

• Tomatoes and tomatillos
• Garlic 
• Black pepper
• Huaje
• Cumin
• Cloves
• Aniseed
• Sesame seeds
• Dark chocolate
• Dried fruit and herbs 

Mole poblano has around 20 ingredients, and some Oaxacan mole sauces can have over 30 ingredients. 

What are the types of mole sauce?

The classic, best-known mole sauce is mole poblano—also considered the national dish of Mexico—which is a brownish-red sauce usually served with meat. Overall, there are 7 main types of mole sauce with lots of additional regional variations:

• Mole poblano (red mole)
• Mole amarillo (yellow mole)—Made with tomatillos and masa
• Mole manchamantel (tablecloth stainer)—Made with chorizo grease, pineapple, and chili peppers 
• Mole chichilo—Made with beef stock and thickened with tortillas or masa 
• Mole coloradito (reddish mole)—Made with mashed plantain 
• Mole verde (green mole)—Made with coriander and ground pumpkin seeds 
• Mole negro (black mole or chocolate mole)—Made with dark chocolate 

Where does mole sauce originate from?

The 2 Mexican states of Oaxaca and Puebla claim to be the origin of mole sauces. The 7 best-known mole sauces are native to these 2 states, with other regions of Mexico making many other adaptations of mole.

One origin story of mole begins in Colonial times. The archbishop was visiting the Convent of Santa Clara in Puebla, and the nuns—being poor and having nothing to prepare for dinner—curated a mixture of the only items they had: nuts, spices, chili peppers, old bread, and chocolate. Then they created a sauce and served it on top of a turkey they had killed and cooked. As the story goes, the archbishop loved it, and when asked the name of the dish, the nuns replied with “we made a mole” which is an old-fashioned term meaning “mixture.”

In prehispanic Mesoamerica, Nahuatl speakers prepared something they called mōlli or chīlmōlli, meaning chili sauce. It was always served with other foods, never on its own.

It is believed a gradual evolution of the original mōlli sauce took place after Spaniards arrived on the continent and introduced a variety of different ingredients. Mōlli sauces then started fitting to the different tastes and traditions of the country.

This resulted in many sauces being diversified dependent on their region and is probably why there are so many different mole sauce variations. 

How are mole sauces used or eaten?

Mole sauces are mostly used in Mexican cuisine and modern American cuisine and are very versatile. You’ll find mole sauces used in the following ways: 

• Drizzled over tacos or nachos or even over eggs (red mole or black mole are good for this)
• Baked into stuffed peppers
• As a finishing sauce for steak, chicken, pork, or tofu (mole poblano is traditionally served over turkey) 
• Stirred into rice and beans as a seasoning
• Incorporated into stews or soups
• Added to fresh salsas, queso, and guacamole for extra flavor (mole verde or green mole sauce are good for adding to condiments) 

How do you pick mole sauce at the grocery store?

You can buy mole sauce at your local supermarket, grocery store, or at any Mexican specialty market. You’ll find mole sauce with the condiments in the pantry section of your grocery store or in the international food aisle. Mole sauce will be found in the Mexican or Hispanic section of the international aisle. It may also be called mole paste.

When buying mole sauce at the grocery store, look for ones that are imported from Mexico for an authentic taste. And look for a suitable mole sauce that matches your dish.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for mole sauce via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for mole sauces.

How to store mole sauces

If you have leftover mole sauce, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you’re freezing it, store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months, but keep in mind that freezing mole sauce will affect the texture a little. 

What can I substitute for mole sauce?

With all its variations and intense flavors, mole sauce is quite a unique item, but if you are unable to find mole sauce or mole paste, a decent enough substitute is a salsa macha. This salsa is made with Mexican chilis, is rich and flavorful, and will give you a similarly savory and medium-spicy flavor that goes well over most dishes.  

Other substitute options if you’re simply looking for extra flavor are:

• Mexican adobo sauce
• Taco sauce
• Enchilada sauce
• Salsa verde or salsa roja

Cooking with mole sauces

It’s undeniable that this flavorful sauce really does deserve its renowned place in Mexican cuisine. Whether you’re using an authentic mole sauce over your movie night nachos or you’re experimenting with cooking authentic Mexican food at home, add some mole sauce to your shopping list and get your groceries delivered same-day with Instacart. 

Grab it now on Instacart:

Red Gold Chili Sauce (12 oz)

Tomatillo (1 each)

Tomatillo (1 each)

Tomatillo (1 each)

Tomatillo (1 each)

Hernan Mole Poblano (7.2 oz)

Hernan Mole Poblano (7.2 oz)

Hernan Mole Poblano (7.2 oz)

Pico de Gallo Salsa (12 oz)

Kikkoman Roasted Garlic Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce (20 oz)

Kikkoman Roasted Garlic Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce (20 oz)

Ki’ Gourmet Three Chili Pepper Salsa Macha Sauce (135 g)

Herdez Salsa Verde Mild (16 oz)

Herdez Salsa Verde Mild (16 oz)

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