Food & Drink

Types of Mexican Mole

Complex negro, rich poblano, golden amarillo, verdant verde or reddish coloradito - which Oaxacan mole wins the sauce throne?

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Updated:4/9/2026

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Mole↕	Region↕	Color↕	Key Ingredients↕	Pairs With↕	Known For↕
Mole Negro	Oaxaca	Deep black	Chilhuacle negro, chocolate, burnt tortilla, plantain, 30+ ingredients	Turkey, chicken	The king of moles, Oaxaca's most famous, Day of the Dead centerpiece, takes days to prepare
Mole Poblano	Puebla	Dark brown-red	Ancho, mulato, pasilla, chocolate, nuts, sesame, tortilla	Turkey, chicken	Mexico's national dish, legend says invented by Puebla nuns for a visiting archbishop
Mole Amarillo	Oaxaca	Golden yellow	Chilcostle, ancho, masa, hoja santa, tomatillo	Chicken, beef, vegetables	Lighter brothy mole thickened with masa, one of Oaxaca's seven moles
Mole Verde	Oaxaca/Puebla	Bright green	Tomatillo, hoja santa, epazote, pumpkin seeds, green chilies	Pork, chicken, dumplings	Fresh herb-based green mole, lighter and brighter than others
Mole Coloradito	Oaxaca	Brick red	Ancho, guajillo, tomato, cinnamon, chocolate	Chicken, pork	The little red mole of Oaxaca, slightly sweet, more approachable than negro
Mole Rojo	Oaxaca	Deep red	Guajillo, ancho, tomato, sesame, chocolate	Chicken, turkey	Red mole of Oaxaca, similar to poblano but distinct Oaxacan style
Mole Chichilo	Oaxaca	Grey-brown	Chilhuacle negro, burnt chiles, avocado leaf, beef broth	Beef, lamb	Rarest of the Oaxacan seven moles, smoky and unusual
Mole Manchamanteles	Puebla/Oaxaca	Red-orange	Ancho, pasilla, pineapple, plantain, sweet potato	Pork, chicken	Tablecloth stainer name, fruit-sweet mole with tropical notes
Mole Pipian Verde	Puebla/Central Mexico	Light green	Pumpkin seeds, tomatillo, cilantro, jalapeno	Chicken, pork, rabbit	Pumpkin-seed-based pre-Hispanic sauce, thick and nutty
Mole Pipian Rojo	Puebla	Brick red	Pumpkin seeds, guajillo, ancho, tomato	Chicken, pork	Red pumpkin seed mole, ancient origin, earthy and rich
Mole de Olla	Central Mexico	Red brothy	Ancho, pasilla, beef, corn, squash, xoconostle	Beef short rib, vegetables	Pot mole, actually a spicy beef and vegetable stew, peasant comfort food
Mole Prieto	Tlaxcala	Dark brown-black	Masa, chile ancho, epazote, anise	Pork, chicken	Tlaxcala specialty, fermented masa base, unique regional mole
Mole Xiqueno	Veracruz	Dark brown	Chiles, chocolate, banana, raisins, almonds	Chicken, turkey	From Xico, Veracruz, sweeter and fruitier than Oaxacan moles