If you’re looking for a way to bring bold, earthy flavor to your dinner table, look no further than mushroom mole. Mushroom mole is a vegetarian variation of the traditional Mexican chicken mole, which is typically made with chicken smothered in a rich sauce composed of chilis, spices, and sometimes chocolate. In this variation, mushrooms are used as the main ingredients instead of chicken, enhancing the earthy flavor of the dish.
The best part about mushroom mole? You don’t need a special occasion to serve it! Serve it with a side of Mexican rice or in a warm tortilla for tacos. It’s cozy enough for fall evenings but light enough for a summer taco spread.
Why You’ll Love Mushroom Mole
- Hearty – Mushrooms give you that hearty texture and depth without any animal products.
- Stores Well – Aside from being plant-based, mushroom mole stores beautifully. Make a batch on Sunday, and you’ve got a rich, ready-to-go meal to enjoy throughout the week.
- Balanced Flavor – Dried chilies bring smoky warmth, toasted almonds and sesame seeds add nutty undertones, and a hint of chocolate adds a subtle sweetness that balances the heat of the mole sauce.
- Quick & Easy – Using a pre-made mole sauce, such as Doña Maria, means this recipe takes less only 15 minutes, making it perfect for those short on time.
Recommended Tools for Making Mushrooms in Mole Sauce
- Cutting Board – While you can opt for sliced mushrooms, I find that whole mushrooms are often cheaper. If you’re also purchasing whole mushrooms, a cutting board will be vital so you can have enough room to slice them!
- Large pan – To avoid soggy mushrooms, we’ll dry sauté them. This calls for a non-stick pan that’ll prevent mushrooms from sticking to your pan and causing a smoky mess.
Mushroom Mole Ingredients
- Mushrooms – As the name suggests, you’ll need mushrooms! I used whole baby bella mushrooms, also known as baby portobello mushrooms or cremini mushrooms. A smaller version of the white button mushroom, baby bellas have a deeper, more developed flavor and a meatier texture, making them the perfect option for plant-based recipes.
- Yellow Onion – Along with mushrooms, sliced onions will help add dimension to our dish.
- Mole Sauce – To keep this mushroom mole recipe simple, I opted for a premade mole sauce, such as Doña Maria.

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Mushroom Mole Recipe
Ingredients for Mushrooms in Mole Sauce
How to Make Mushroom Mole
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Slice vegetables
Slice the onion and mushrooms.
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Heat oil
Add oil and onion to a large pan over medium-high heat.
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Sauté onions
Sauté onions for 5 minutes. Set aside. -
Sauté mushrooms
Add mushrooms to the pan. Sauté for 5 minutes, undisturbed. -
Stir mushrooms
Stir mushrooms, and cook undisturbed for another 3 minutes, or until the water they've released has evaporated. -
Coat in sauce
Stir in minced garlic, salt, mole sauce, and sautéed onions. Cook for another 2 minutes, ensuring vegetables are fully coated with sauce.Adding salt after the mushrooms have browned ensures they do not get soggy. -
Enjoy
Enjoy the mushroom mole in tacos or with a side of rice.