This mussel recipe is our go-to when I want to make something special without a ton of effort. This recipe uses just eight everyday ingredients. That’s it. It’s nothing fancy, but the flavors truly come together in the most delicious way.

steamed mussels this recipe

For most of my adult life, I only enjoyed mussels when dining out, because I assumed they were something best left to restaurants. It wasn’t until I finally tried making them at home that I realized how simple, quick, and flavorful they really are.

Cooking shellfish can feel a little intimidating at first, but with just a few easy tricks, you’ll see how approachable they can be. Even my husband, who normally isn’t a big fan of mussels, loved this recipe, which honestly surprised me in the best way.

Now it’s one of those dishes I reach for when I want to cook something that feels special without a ton of effort, and I always serve it with plenty of crusty bread for soaking up that garlicky broth.

These mussels are delicious to serve alongside other seafood dishes, such as chicken chesapeake, crab bites with spicy aioli, or scallop chowder.

Steamed mussels recipe

Why You Will Love These Steamed Mussels

  • Simple ingredients: The broth is light, aromatic, and made with simple ingredients that let the mussels shine.
  • Fast cooking: Mussels steam quickly, so the entire dish is done in about 20 minutes start to finish.
  • Perfect for sharing: This is the kind of dish I serve in a big bowl right in the center of the table, with plenty of bread nearby for soaking up every last bit of broth.

Mussels Recipe Ingredients

This steamed mussels recipe is very simple. Only 8 ingredients:

ingredients for steamed mussels.
  • butter
  • shallots
  • garlic
  • red pepper flakes
  • wine
  • mussels
  • lemon juice
  • parsley

You’ll also need a shallow large skillet and fresh mussels.

When you get your mussels home, you want to store and clean them properly before steaming. Mussels need exposure to air to survive.

Tip: Never store mussels in water. It will kill them.

raw mussels

To Store Fresh Mussels

  • Remove the mussels from the plastic bag, container, or mesh bag.
  • Place in a large bowl.
  • Damp a couple of sheets of paper towel and cover the bowl.
  • Store in the refrigerator for a couple of days (I normally like to cook my mussels the same day or the following day).

Tip: Mussels should smell fresh, just like the ocean.

scrubbed mussels

How to Clean Mussels

  1. Remove the mussels from the refrigerator and place them into a colander.
  2. Rinse and scrub the mussels under cold water, trying to remove as many of the stringy bits clinging to the outside as possible. Mussels naturally close and open their shells when exposed to water.
  3. Leave in a colander to drain as you begin preparing your recipe.

How to Cook Mussels

  1. Melt butter over medium heat in a large shallow skillet. Add shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant and the shallots begin to soften.
  2. Add wine and increase the heat to a medium-high to bring it to a simmer.
  3. Add mussels, cover with a lid, and let the mussels steam for 5-7 minutes or until they have opened up.

Tip: Cooking time depends on the strength of heat, how much liquid you use, and the number of mussels.

step by step on how to make garlic mussels

4. After the mussels have steamed, add the juice of one lemon, give the mussels a good stir, and cook for 1-2 minutes longer, uncovered until all shells have opened up.

5. Transfer the mussels to a serving bowl, along with the cooking liquid. Discard any mussels that are still closed.

6. Sprinkle with parsley, salt, to taste, and garnish with additional lemon wedges. Serve with crusty bread, if desired (but so recommended!)

Serving Steamed Mussels

What I love about this mussels recipe is that it’s versatile. You can serve these steamed mussels as an appetizer, a light main dish with crusty bread on the side, or toss the mussels with your favorite cooked pasta for a heartier meal.

But honestly, the garlic and parsley butter sauce with these mussels is so good on its own that I doubt you’ll need anything else, except some crusty bread.

Mussels Recipe Storage

To store cooked mussels, first cool them to room temperature. Remove the mussels from their shells, discarding the shells and placing the meat into a container with a lid.

Store in the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for the best quality. Discard any mussels that have an off smell or appear slimy.

When ready to eat, gently reheat the mussels until warmed through. Avoid overcooking to prevent them from becoming tough.

garlic mussels recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What do mussels taste like?

Mussels have a mild, briny, ocean-fresh flavor,  not fishy, but pleasantly salty, with a sweet, tender interior. They take on the flavors of whatever you cook them with, so if you pair them with garlic, butter, herbs, or wine, they soak all that up while still keeping their delicate taste.

Are mussels good for you?

Mussels are a lean source of protein and are packed with vitamins and minerals. They’re also naturally low in fat and contain healthy omega-3s. I’m not a nutritionist, but I do know they’re considered a wholesome choice and can be a lighter way to enjoy seafood.

How to eat mussels?

Once a mussel opens, use one of its half-shells to pull the meat out of its partner shell, or use a fork. Slurp the mussel meat and enjoy the broth, or dip crusty bread right into it. If serving pasta, mix the mussels and their cooking liquid with the pasta for full flavor. Discard any mussels that stayed closed during cooking, which usually means they weren’t good to eat.

How to tell when mussels are fully cooked?

Mussels are ready when their shells pop open after just a few minutes of cooking. They don’t need long, usually, 5 to 7 minutes is plenty. Once they’ve opened, they’re done. Any that stay closed should be discarded, and it’s best not to cook them past that point or they can turn tough.

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Steamed Mussels with Garlic and Parsley - only 8 ingredients to make the BEST tasting steamed mussels! | littlebroken.com @littlebroken

Garlic Mussel Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 15 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Steamed
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This mussels recipe is very simple. Only 8 ingredients (butter, shallots, garlic, red pepper flakes, wine, mussels, lemon juice, and parsley).

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
  • 2 lbs. mussels, scrubbed and rinsed
  • 1 lemon, juiced, plus extra for serving
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Melt butter over medium heat in a large shallow skillet. Add shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook 2-3 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant and shallots begin to soften.
  2. Add wine and increase the heat to a medium-high to bring to a simmer.
  3. Add mussels, cover with a lid, and let the mussels steam for 5-7 minutes or until they have opened up.
  4. Add juice of one lemon, give the mussels a good stir, and cook for 1-2 minutes longer, uncovered. Transfer the mussels to a serving bowl, along with cooking liquid. Discard any mussels that are still closed.
  5. Sprinkle with parsley, salt, to taste, and garnish with additional lemon wedges. Serve with crusty bread slices, if desired.

Notes

  • Substitute: White wine can be substituted with chicken broth.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 248
  • Sugar: 0.6 g
  • Sodium: 739.2 mg
  • Fat: 9.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11.3 g
  • Protein: 27.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 63.5 mg

Recipe originally published 3/27/2017.