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Steamed Mussels · White Wine and Garlic

Steamed Mussels in White Wine and Garlic

Mussels steam open in minutes in a buttery white wine and garlic broth. Serve with crusty bread for a bistro-style dinner that's easier than it looks.

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Prep
15 min
Cook
12 min
Total
27 min
Serves
4
Level
Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 lb mussels
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 ¼ cups dry white wine
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • crusty bread, for serving

Steps

  1. Rinse the mussels in a colander under cold running water, scrubbing off any grit.
  2. Pull off any beards (the stringy fibers) by tugging them toward the hinge of the shell.
  3. Tap any open mussels on the counter. Throw away any that don't close within a minute, and any with cracked shells.
  4. Melt 2 tablespoons butter with the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft.
  5. Add the garlic and pepper flakes and stir until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the wine, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil.
  7. Add the mussels, cover tightly and steam, shaking the pot once or twice, until the shells open.
  8. Check the pot. If many are still closed, cover and cook 1 to 2 minutes more. Throw away any that never open.
  9. Scoop the mussels into wide bowls.
  10. Stir the remaining butter, lemon juice and parsley into the broth, then ladle it over the mussels. Serve with bread.

Tip: Mussels are cooked when the shells open wide and the meat is opaque and plump.

Tip: Most farmed mussels are already clean and nearly beardless, which saves time.

Tip: Keep mussels in a bowl in the fridge, covered with a damp towel, and cook them the day you buy them.

Storage: Best fresh. Refrigerate leftovers, out of the shells, up to 1 day.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 320 calories · protein 20 g · carbohydrates 13 g · fiber <1 g · sugars 2 g · fat 16 g (saturated 7 g) · sodium 460 mg. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 9 of 9 ingredients.