Mole Negro with Oaxacan cheese
Mole Negro with Oaxacan cheese is a rich, complex sauce from Oaxaca, Mexico, traditionally made with a blend of dried chilies, chocolate, spices, and nuts, often served over chicken or turkey and topped with stringy, mild Oaxacan cheese. The dish is a cornerstone of Oaxacan cuisine, celebrated for its deep, layered flavors that can include over 30 ingredients. It's a festive dish often prepared for special occasions like weddings and holidays.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in fat and moderate in protein, with a complex carbohydrate profile from the chilies, nuts, and chocolate. A typical serving provides a good source of iron, magnesium, and antioxidants, and roughly ranges from 400 to 600 calories per serving, depending on the specific recipe and portion size.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 90 mg |
| Potassium | 550 mg |
| Phosphorus | 320 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 8 mg |
| Zinc | 3.2 mg |
| Copper | 0.6 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) of Mole Negro with chicken and cheese · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Mole Negro is famously labor-intensive, with some families having secret recipes passed down through generations, and its dark color comes from charred chilies and tortillas rather than just chocolate. The Oaxacan cheese, or 'quesillo,' is a fresh, stringy cheese that adds a creamy, mild contrast to the sauce's intense, savory-sweet complexity.
