MolesMediumFree

Mole Prieto (Tlaxcalan Dark Mole)

Name: Mole Prieto (Tlaxcalan Dark Mole)
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 95 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 cloves Garlic; 1 White Onion; 5 Ancho Chilli; 3 Mulato Chilli; 3 Avocado Leaf; 800 g Pork; 30 g Lard; 150 g Corn Masa; 1 tbsp Salt

4.0(1 rating)

95 min (35 prep + 60 cook) Medium 6 servings Tlaxcala

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: 24 Mar 2026 · Updated: 3 Jun 2026

Rustic Tlaxcalan mole with toasted masa, dried chillies and avocado leaf.

About this recipe

Mole prieto is a rustic dark mole from Tlaxcala prepared with dried chillies, toasted maize dough as a thickener and avocado leaves.

History & Origin

Mole prieto is one of the oldest moles in Mexican gastronomy, the heritage of Tlaxcala. Its name "prieto" (dark) describes its blackish colour. What makes it unique is the use of toasted maize dough as a thickener: the dough is formed into small cakes and toasted until partially charred, giving body, colour and a smoky earthy flavour. Another distinctive ingredient is the avocado leaf. The Tlaxcalans consider this their identity mole, proudly distinguishing it from the neighbouring Pueblan mole.

Estimated cost

£27.13

Total cost

£4.52

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

400

Calories

26g

Protein

32g

Carbohydrates

20g

Fat

Fibre

700mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Cuece 800 g de lomo de cerdo en agua con cebolla, ajo y sal 40 minutos. Reserva caldo y carne.
2
Tuesta en comal 5 chiles ancho y 3 chiles mulato hasta bien oscuros. Remójalos 15 minutos.
3
Forma 3 tortitas con 150 g de masa. Tuéstalas en comal hasta que estén negras por fuera. Desmorona.
💡 La masa quemada es el espesante tradicional.
4
Licua los chiles con la masa tostada, ajo, cebolla, 3 hojas de aguacate tostadas, pimienta gorda, comino y caldo. Cuela.
5
Fríe la salsa en olla con manteca 10 minutos. Añade 500 ml de caldo y la carne. Cocina 20 minutos.
6
Rectifica sal. Sirve con tortillas de maíz azul si las tienes.

Have you tried this recipe?

Tell us how it turned out. Your feedback helps other cooks.

Leave a review

Beyond Guacamole: 10 Ways to Use Avocados in Mexican Cooking

A Beginner's Guide to Mole: Mexico's Most Complex Sauce

The World of Mole: Over 100 Varieties You Might Not Know

Rate this recipe

Edmond Bojalil

Founder, Recetas Mexas

Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.