Category
Mussels
Servings
2
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Steamed mussels are one of our go-to easy seafood dinner recipes. Once you start devouring these delectable mussels, it’s hard to stop! Steamed mussels are quick to make, healthy and ideal as a dinner for two or when you’re feeding a crowd. We love steamed mussels with white wine, garlic and shallots but you can also add diced tomato, thyme and even beer instead of white wine. However you make steamed mussels, make sure you serve them with plenty of crusty bread.
How many mussels per person?
Count on at least 1 pound of mussels per person.
How to clean mussels
It’s important to pick over and clean mussels before cooking, but this only takes a few minutes. Discard any mussels with cracked shells, and any mussels that are already open. Now, give the mussels a salt bath to expel any sand or grit from inside the shell. About 15 minutes before you’re ready to cook, soak the mussels in a large bowl of fresh, cold water mixed with salt (½ cup kosher salt to 6 cups water for 2 pounds of mussels). After 15 minutes, remove the mussels from the cold water, being careful not to agitate the bowl and risk getting the expelled sand back into the mussels. Pull out any beards (fibers sticking out of the shell) by holding a mussel in one hand and pulling the beard from the hinged end with your other hand. The beard will usually come out easily. Finally, give the shells a quick scrub to remove any debris or barnacles.
Ingredients
-
2 pounds mussels, cleaned and beards removed
1 Tablespoon butter
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
½ cup white wine (you can also use chicken or vegetable stock)
½ cup roughly chopped parsley
1 scallion, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons heavy cream (optional)
-
lemon wedges and bread (we love baguette), for serving
Directions
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook until softened but not brown, about 5 minutes.
Turn the heat up to medium-high, and add the white wine and mussels. Cover the pot with a lid and give the pot a shake. Cook until the mussels have opened, about 5-7 minutes. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
Turn off the heat, and stir in the parsley, scallion and heavy cream if using. Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper if necessary.
Serve mussels with the broth, along with lemon wedges and bread for mopping up the delicious broth.