Mole sauce is a classic Mexican sauce with a rich, complex flavor. It is often served on meat and poultry dishes, as well as vegetables and other foods. Mole sauce can transform simple ingredients into an exciting culinary experience. But what exactly is mole sauce best served with? Here is a look at some of the top foods that mole sauce complements wonderfully.
Chicken
Chicken is one of the most popular meats to pair with mole sauce. The rich, savory flavor of the sauce matches perfectly with juicy, tender chicken. Mole chicken can be roasted, baked, grilled or sautéed. Pieces of chicken simmered in mole sauce make for an incredible taco or enchilada filling. And chicken mole served over rice is a classic Mexican dish. The deep, layered flavors of the mole balance beautifully with the mild flavor of chicken. It brings excitement to a simple chicken breast or thigh.
Mole Poblano
Mole poblano, one of the most famous mole sauces, was originally created to accompany turkey, which is why it is often served for holidays and celebrations. But it also pairs tremendously well with chicken. The complex blend of chili peppers, chocolate, nuts, spices and more complements the flavor of chicken superbly. This rich, reddish-brown mole adds intrigue and depth to any chicken dish.
Mole Verde
Chicken also shines when paired with mole verde, or green mole. While mole poblano contains chocolate and dried chilies, mole verde relies on fresh green ingredients like tomatillos, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, jalapenos and more. This bright green sauce retains the layered flavors of mole while imparting a fresh, herbal quality. Mole verde chicken makes for a lighter take on the classic sauce.
Turkey
Like chicken, turkey has a mild flavor that allows the mole sauce to take center stage. That is why mole poblano was originally created for turkey by nuns in the Mexican city of Puebla. The nuns wished to create a special dish to serve the Archbishop and settled on pairing rich mole sauce with succulent roasted turkey. Beyond mole poblano, other mole sauces also pair fantastically with turkey. Mole verde can impart freshness to roasted turkey, while nutty mole negro makes an indulgent turkey dish.
Mole Negro
Mole negro, also known as mole Oaxaqueño, contains a staggering amount of ingredients, from chili peppers to almonds, raisins, plum tomatoes and more. The result is a nearly black sauce with deep, rich flavor. Using mole negro to coat a roasted turkey results in a fabulous centerpiece for a special occasion feast. The interplay between the mole’s complex flavors and the turkey’s inherent savoriness is extremely pleasing.
Mole Amarillo
Mole amarillo, or yellow mole, also pairs well with turkey. This mole gets its golden hue from ingredients like tomatillos, chilies, pumpkin seeds, plantains and spices. Yellow mole has a vibrancy that livens up a turkey dinner. Because it is not as heavy as other mole varieties, mole amarillo can make an excellent summer turkey dish.
Pork
In addition to poultry, pork makes a fantastic meat option when served with mole sauce. Pork shoulder or loin braised in mole is tender and full of flavor. Mole’s depth provides a counterpoint to pork’s richness. Pork carnitas or chuletas served with mole provide a satisfying flavor combination. Even thinner pork cuts like chops and sirloin steak benefit greatly from a blanket of mole sauce.
Chorizo
Chorizo and mole is a match made in heaven. The spicy sausage’s distinct flavor stands up well to bold mole sauce. Try adding chorizo to mole chicken dishes for an extra meaty dimension. Or feature chorizo more prominently by serving Mexican mole soup with floating slices of chorizo. The paprika in the sausage echoes the smoky qualities in the mole.
Ham
Even mild sliced ham gets a flavor boost when served with mole sauce. The sweetness and saltiness of the ham contrasts nicely with the mole’s richness. For a fun twist on a Mexican mole dish, consider wrapping ham around mole-sauced chicken or turkey breast. This adds lightness and bright ham flavor to balance the deep mole.
Seafood
In addition to meat, mole sauce can complement seafood beautifully. The diversity of flavors in mole helps balance the inherent fishiness of many types of seafood. Heartier fish and shellfish that hold up well to sauces are best for pairing with mole.
Shrimp
Plump shrimp simmered in mole sauce is an amazing combination. The briny sweetness of the shrimp contrasts with the dish’s deep flavors. Serve mole shrimp over rice or stuffed into peppers or tortillas. Grilled shrimp tacos topped with mole make a fantastic taco filling too. You can also add shrimp to mole dishes featuring other proteins like chicken.
Halibut
Halibut and other hearty white fish fillets stand up well to rich mole sauce. Baked or grilled halibut steak topped with mole sauce makes for a stellar main course. The meaty halibut won’t get lost in the sauce’s boldness. More delicate fish can too easily get overpowered. Choose a firm, full-flavored fish like halibut for cooking with mole.
Scallops
Buttery, sweet scallops are also nicely complemented by mole sauce. Like shrimp, the scallops add a touch of seafood brightness and texture to mole dishes. Seared scallops served atop mole rice make an upscale meal. Or add scallops to mole-based soups and stews. Take care not to overcook the scallops, as their delicate texture will suffer.
Vegetables
In addition to various meats and seafood, mole sauce can spruce up vegetable dishes. The layers of flavor in the sauce pair well with veggies’ freshness. Heartier vegetables that can hold up to cooking work best with mole. Try mole sauce on vegetables to add intrigue to your plant-based dishes.
Potatoes
Potatoes pair surprisingly beautifully with mole sauce. The hearty spuds balance the sauce’s richness. Roasted potatoes tossed in mole have a lovely contrast of flavors. Try mole-coated potato wedges or cubes for an easy side dish. Mole sauce is also delicious drizzled over baked or mashed potatoes. Add mole to loaded potato dishes for extra intrigue.
Squash
Dense winter squash varieties also stand up well to mole sauce. Try swathing acorn or butternut squash chunks in mole before roasting for a flavor-packed side. Or add mole to dishes featuring roasted or sautéed squash. The squash caramelizes beautifully and absorbs the mole’s essence. Zucchini or yellow summer squash work too, but require less roasting time than heartier types.
Eggplant
Meaty, hearty eggplant is another vegetable that pairs fabulously with mole sauce. Mole adds richness and depth to simple sliced, roasted or grilled eggplant. Using mole as a sauce for eggplant lasagna or moussaka provides a flavor twist on the traditional dish. Cubed eggplant also works well added to mole-based stews and casseroles.
Other Foods
Aside from main protein and vegetable dishes, mole sauce can add interest and depth of flavor to various other foods and sides.
Rice
No mole dish would be complete without a simple side of rice. Plain white or Spanish style rice soaks up the mole sauce splendidly. The rice’s mild flavor and texture make the perfect counterpoint to highlight mole’s boldness. For a more interesting rice, try mole cooked with rice in the same pot for risotto-style flavor and color.
Beans
Cooked beans, particularly pinto or black beans, also pair well with mole dishes. Beans add protein and heartiness to balance rich mole sauce. Cook beans right in the mole sauce for maximum flavor integration. Try mole chicken or pork served over a bed of seasoned beans.
Tortillas
Warm tortillas go hand in hand with mole sauce as well. Soft corn tortillas work nicely for making tacos, enchiladas or burritos filled with mole-sauced meats or vegetables. Dip chunks of tortillas right into the mole sauce for an addictive snack or appetizer. Tortillas help moderate mole’s richness.
Cheese
Fresh crumbled cheese adds a nice textural contrast to mole dishes. Queso fresco or cotija are traditional Mexican cheese choices. Mild feta or goat cheese also work well. Avoid strongly flavored cheeses that will compete with the mole. Let the sauce shine by using a mild, soft cheese for topping.
Conclusion
Mole sauce may contain up to 30 ingredients, but it can transform the simplest of ingredients into a fabulous dish. Use mole sauce to add an explosion of flavor to chicken, turkey, pork, seafood, vegetables and more. The sauce’s depth pairs well with the freshness of various whole foods. From meaty main dishes to simple sides like rice and beans, mole sauce brings intrigue and interest to any plate. Expand your culinary repertoire by cooking with this unique Mexican sauce.