Vegan Mole Recipe
Bring the rich, complex flavors of mole to your table with this plant-based version, featuring vegan chicken, bold spices, and the deep, savory undertones of cacao. This recipe is perfect for creating a hearty, flavorful dish that’s steeped in tradition, yet accessible for any home cook.
Ingredients:
Veggie stock (enough to boil)
½ onion (for stock)
Vegan chicken (Daring Foods)
4 cloves garlic
Few pieces of onion
2 tbsp sesame seeds
15 black peppercorns
7 cloves
10 Ritz crackers (or other cracker for texture)
Salt (to taste)
Red pepper flakes (to taste)
4 large red chiles (New Mexico or Ancho)
4 small chiles (Arbol or Pasilla)
1 tbsp ground cacao
Scoop of peanuts (roughly 1-2 tbsp)
Mole seasoning (pre-made or homemade blend)
4 cups veggie broth
1 tbsp vegan chicken bouillon
Optional: Blender for smoother texture
Instructions:
Boil the Stock: In a large pot, bring your veggie stock to a boil along with ½ of an onion. Once boiling, add the vegan chicken and cook for about 45 minutes. Once cooked, shred the chicken and set aside.
Prepare the Mole Base: In a separate oiled pan, add the garlic, remaining onion, sesame seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, Ritz crackers, salt, and red pepper flakes. Fry everything together until charred and aromatic.
Fry the Chiles: Add the large and small red chiles to the pan and fry until charred. This will bring out their smoky, rich flavor, essential for the depth of the mole.
Blend the Ingredients: Transfer everything from the pan into a molcajete (traditional mortar and pestle) or a blender. Add the cacao powder and peanuts, then begin mixing or blending until smooth. Stir in the mole seasoning and continue mixing.
Finish the Mole: Gradually mix in the veggie broth and vegan chicken bouillon, adjusting the consistency to your liking. Optionally, you can use a blender at this stage for a smoother sauce.
Combine with Vegan Chicken: In the same oiled pan, add the prepared mole sauce and bring to a gentle boil. As the sauce changes color and thickens, stir in the shredded vegan chicken. Let it cook together for 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Serve:
Serve this vegan mole over rice, with tortillas, or as part of a larger spread. The deep, earthy flavors combined with the hearty vegan chicken make this a standout dish for any meal.
