How to Clean Mussels
Few things can ruin a delicious meal of mussels more than eating sandy, gritting mussels. Cleaning mussels is an essential step to truly enjoy these delicious bivalves. Sand, grit, and barnacles cling to their shells, requiring removal before cooking. However, it’s important to note that this is typically required for wild or bottom grown mussels. Although it won’t hurt, this is usually not necessary for farmed mussels that are grown in bags and have beards already removed.
The process of cleaning mussels is simple. These step-by-step instructions walk you through how to clean mussels effectively, ensuring they are ready for your favorite recipes.
Instructions: How to Clean Mussels
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Rinse the Mussels: Rinse the mussels under cold running water, scrubbing the shells to remove dirt or debris.
- Remove the beard (the fibrous strands): Pull it towards the hinge and discard.
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Prepare a Soaking Solution: Fill a large bowl or container with cold water. Unlike clams, mussels do not require salt, but adding a tablespoon of flour or cornmeal can help encourage them to expel grit.
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Soak the Mussels: Submerge the mussels in the water for about 20-30 minutes, allowing them to naturally filter out sand and debris.
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Rinse Again: After soaking, give the mussels another thorough rinse under cold water, gently scrubbing any remaining debris from the shells.
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Prepare to your liking!
Tips for Purging Mussels
- Check for freshness: After purging and before preparing, discard any mussels that remain open when tapped, as they may be dead and unsafe to eat.
- Don’t agitate the bowl: Agitating the bowl or water will risk getting the expelled sand back into the mussels.
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Cook soon after purging: Mussels are best enjoyed fresh, so plan to cook them soon after cleaning.