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Food

Mole Sauce

What is mole sauce?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Name mole[3]
Language origin Nahuatl[3]
Meaning sauce[3]
Cuisine Mexican[2]
Common ingredients chiles, spices[3]
Common ingredients chocolate, nuts[3]

Mole sauce is a Mexican sauce, or family of sauces, traditionally made from ingredients such as chiles and spices, with many versions also including chocolate and nuts [3]. It is served over meats like chicken, turkey, or pork, and the name comes from the Nahuatl word *mulli*, meaning "sauce" [3]. For a different kind of hot sauce, see Valentina Hot Sauce.

Context

Mole sauce is a Mexican sauce, or family of sauces, traditionally made from a mixture of ingredients such as chiles and spices; many sources also describe versions that include chocolate and nuts [3]. It is used to accompany meats such as chicken, turkey, or pork, and the name *mole* is linked to the Nahuatl word *mulli*, meaning "sauce" [3]. Some sources say mole is not one sauce but a variety of sauces called moles [2]. Preparation often involves toasting, grinding, and slow-cooking the ingredients [4]. Mole poblano is specifically associated with Puebla, Mexico [1].

Documented claims

  • Mole is not one sauce but a variety of sauces called moles. [2]
  • Mole is served over poultry and other meats. [2]
  • Some recipes describe toasting, grinding, and slow-cooking the ingredients. [4]
  • Mole poblano is associated with Puebla, Mexico. [1]

Related

  • Worcestershire SauceBada ar traditionella sauser med djup umami-smak som anvands i matlagning.
  • Bolognese SauceBada ar sauser som serveras over en huvudratt och har distinkta regionala recept.

Questions and answers

What is mole sauce made of?

Mole sauce is traditionally made from chiles and spices, and many versions also include chocolate and nuts [3].

Does all mole contain chocolate?

No, not all mole contains chocolate. Many sources describe versions that include chocolate, but the base ingredients are chiles and spices [3].

What does mole taste like?

Mole has a complex flavor from its mixture of chiles, spices, and often chocolate and nuts, though the exact taste varies by recipe [3].

What ingredients are in a mole?

Common ingredients include chiles and spices, with chocolate and nuts appearing in many versions [3].

Sources

  1. Salsa de mole - uso, variaciones e historia — chili-saucen.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Receta de Salsa mole mexicana paso a paso — okdiario.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Información nutricional — tuasaude.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Mole — enciclopediadegastronomia.es (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Food