Molé Poblano - The Official Dish of Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is usually associated with tacos, margaritas and guacamole, but if you're looking to celebrate the holiday in the most authentic way possible, try Molé Poblano!

Believe it or not, Cinco de Mayo is a much bigger celebration in the United States than it is in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexico's victory over French forces during the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. May 5th is not Mexican Independence Day—instead they celebrate their independence on September 16th, anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain.

Cinco de Mayo is also sometimes called "Battle of Puebla Day", and there is not better dish to enjoy than Molé Poblano, known as the "jewel of Puebla food". "As one version of that story goes, the multi-nuanced sauce was invented in the 1600s by nuns in a Puebla convent, in anticipation of a visit by a Spanish dignitary...By May 5, 1862, mole poblano had already become a beloved Puebla favorite. So it stands to reason that the people of Puebla might have wanted to celebrate this particular military victory against France by indulging in mole poblano's richness. In any event, through the passage of time, mole poblano has, in fact, become a Battle of Puebla Day tradition", stated Lauren Cahn in an April 29, 2023 article on TastingTable.

Molé Poblano is a thick and savory chile and chocolate sauce. Molé Poblano is typically served over proteins such as duck or chicken. Making this authentic recipe is time consuming, but very worth it!

Image source: Latino Foodie.

Recipe Link: Molé Poblano