Best Easy Mole de Guajolote para Fiesta Recipe

Turkey in rich mole sauce is the pinnacle of Mexican celebration cuisine. This high protein, family tradition dish is a fresh, complex masterpiece for weddings and fiestas.

Cook 220 min Difficulty HARD 540 kcal
#high protein #mediterranean
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • Whole turkey 8 lbs
  • Corn tortillas 3 pieces
  • White bread 2 slices
  • Dried mulato chiles 4 pieces
  • Dried pasilla chiles 4 pieces
  • Dried ancho chiles 4 pieces
  • Plantain 1 piece
  • Blanched almonds 0.5 cup
  • Raisins 0.25 cup
  • Sesame seeds 0.25 cup
  • Roma tomato 2 pieces
  • White onion 1 piece
  • Garlic 6 cloves
  • Chicken broth 6 cups
  • Vegetable oil 0.5 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Mexican chocolate 2 oz
  • Cinnamon stick 1 piece
  • Cloves 5 pieces
  • Black peppercorns 1 tsp
  • Dried thyme 1 tsp
  • Bay leaves 2 pieces
  • Salt 2 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 32 g 24%
Protein 44 g 33%
Fat 24 g 40%
Serving size 350g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Prep the turkey: Rinse the turkey thoroughly and pat dry. Place in a large stock pot with enough water to cover, add 1 tsp salt and bay leaves, then simmer gently over medium-low heat for 1.5–2 hours until just cooked. Remove turkey, strain and reserve the stock.

  2. 2

    Roast dried chiles: Remove seeds and stems from mulato, pasilla, and ancho chiles. In a dry heavy skillet over medium heat, toast chiles carefully until fragrant but not burned, about 1–2 minutes per side. Transfer to a bowl, cover with hot water, and soak 20 minutes until softened.

  3. 3

    Fry aromatics and thickeners: In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Fry plantain slices, tortilla pieces, bread slices, almonds, raisins, and sesame seeds, stirring constantly, until golden. Remove and drain on absorbent paper.

  4. 4

    Char the vegetables: Over high flame, roast the roma tomatoes, onion quarters, and garlic cloves (skin on) until blackened and softened. Peel garlic.

  5. 5

    Make the mole base: In batches, blend softened chiles with roasted vegetables, fried thickening ingredients, and 2 cups reserved turkey stock. Blend in Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, black peppercorns, and thyme until extremely smooth.

  6. 6

    Cook the mole: In a large pot over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp oil. Carefully pour in the blended mole base. Stir constantly for 10 minutes, then add remaining turkey stock. Simmer gently over low heat for at least 90 minutes, stirring to prevent scorching.

  7. 7

    Finish and serve: Adjust seasoning with salt to taste. Cut the turkey into serving pieces and return to sauce to heat through. Serve hot, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and extra tortillas if desired.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The star ingredient in Mole de Guajolote para Fiesta is whole turkey, which provides hearty flavor and high protein. The complex mole sauce, built on dried chiles such as mulato, pasilla, and ancho, and classic Mexican chocolate, gives this dish its distinctive celebratory character.
Q. How do I control heat when making the mole sauce?
To develop depth of flavor without burning ingredients, toast the dried chiles over medium heat quickly and fry the nuts, bread, and plantain in moderate oil until just golden—not dark. Simmer the combined mole base over low to medium-low heat while stirring constantly to prevent sticking or scorching.
Q. How do I prevent a grainy or bitter sauce?
Ensure all ingredients are blended extremely smooth, especially dried chiles and fried items. Simmer the sauce slowly, stirring often—this avoids overcooking or burning, which can create bitterness. Gentle, patient cooking yields the silkiest mole.
Q. How many calories and what nutrients are in each serving?
Each serving of this turkey mole contains roughly 540 kcal, with 32g carbohydrates (24%), 44g protein (33%), and 24g fat (40%). High in protein and well-balanced, it’s ideal for festive meals where nutrition and tradition meet.
Q. What makes this dish suitable for celebrations?
Mole de Guajolote is traditionally served at fiestas because it combines tender turkey with a deeply aromatic mole—made from dried chiles, nuts, fruit, and fragrant spices. Its preparation is a festive, shared event, delivering rich flavor and impressive nutrition for gatherings.
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