Muslos de Pavo en Mole (Turkey Thighs in Mole)
Turkey thighs poached until tender then simmered in rich mole, the classic Puebla pairing with warm tortillas.
Made with Mole poblano and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 45
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £4.13 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the turkey, onion, garlic, bay and a good pinch of salt in a large pot. Cover with the water, bring to a boil, skim, then reduce to a bare simmer. Cook partly covered for 1 hour 15 minutes until the meat is very tender and pulls away from the bone.
75 min - 2
Lift out the turkey and strain the broth. Pull the meat from the bones in large pieces and discard the skin and bones.
- 3
Warm the mole poblano (see the base recipe) in a wide pan with 200 ml of the turkey broth, stirring until smooth. Add the turkey and simmer for 10 minutes until steaming hot all the way through.
10 min - 4
Warm the corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 20 seconds a side and wrap them in a tea towel.
- 5
Serve the turkey and mole with the tortillas, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.
Tips
- Poach gently. A hard boil turns the meat stringy.
- Save the remaining turkey broth for soup or to cook rice, and cool and chill it within 2 hours.
- Pull the meat into big chunks. Shredding it fine makes the dish look messy.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Why is turkey served with mole?
Mole poblano has long been served on turkey, called guajolote in Mexico, for festivals and celebrations. Turkey is native to Mexico and suits the sauce's richness.
Can I use a turkey crown?
Yes, but breast meat is leaner and dries out faster. Poach for about 50 minutes and pull it into pieces, then warm it in the mole just before serving.
More made with mole poblano
Tamales de Pollo en Mole (Mole Chicken Tamales)
GFDFEFEnmoladas (Enchiladas in Mole Poblano)
EFNFPollo con Mole Poblano y Arroz Rojo (Chicken in Mole Poblano with Red Rice)
GFDFEFHuevos Estrellados con Mole y Frijoles (Fried Eggs with Mole and Beans)
GFNFVDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.