Mussels with White Wine and Garlic

These Mussels with White Wine and Garlic are a flavorful way to enjoy mussels! Served with charred bread to soak up the delicious broth.

Mussels for 5, Please

Mussels like this hold a very special place in my heart. You see, growing up, there was a restaurant that my family always used to go to. In fact, my sister got her first job in their kitchen, oftentimes prepping countless heads of garlic for their infamous garlic butter.
 
One thing that was always ordered when a family dinner was enjoyed at this fine establishment was the mussels. And no matter how long it had been since we had visited last, the recipe always remained the same: perfectly steamed mussels swimming in a garlicky white wine broth. Freshly made bread was served alongside, though it was always a difficult decision between slathering the dense slices with that incredible garlic butter, or using them to mop up that slurp-able garlicky broth.
 
Unfortunately, this incredible restaurant has now closed, but mussels continue to be a favorite of mine. I’ve made my fair share of mollusks, but I’m proud to say that this recipe comes pretty dang close to the ones that started my obsession with mussels!
A platter of steamed mussels

How To Prep Mussels

Mussels take a little extra care before cooking to ensure they’re properly cleaned. Place mussels in a large strainer to rinse off. Using a scrub brush, clean off each mussel. On some mussels, you’ll notice a little aptly named “beard” that you’ll want to pull off and discard.

As you’re cleaning the mussels, if you notice any that do not close when gently tapped, be sure to discard.

How To Cook Mussels

Mussels truly couldn’t be easier to make! Simply put, we’re steaming them. Aromatics are sautéed with oil and better until fragrant, followed by the liquid you’ll be steaming the mussels in. In this recipe, I’m using all white wine, but you can easily swap the wine for broth, beer, or a mixture of broth on win or beer.

Once your liquid has just a few fingers of steam coming off the surface, in go the mussels. They take under 5 minutes to cook, and you’ll know when they’re done: they’ll open!

A pot of mussels with shallot, garlic, and parsley

How To Serve Mussels

Mussels are best enjoyed with a crisp glass of wine, a light simple salad, charred slices of bread, and a beautiful setting. Perhaps al fresco?

A picnic table set with serve ware, wine, and mussels
A bowl of steamed mussels with bread
Discarded mussel shells

Mussels can be a delicious appetizer or served as a light meal, as outlined above.

However you enjoy them, do so beautifully!


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Mussels with White Wine and Garlic

These Mussels with White Wine and Garlic are a flavorful way to enjoy mussels! Served with charred bread to soak up the delicious broth.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Garlic, Mussels, Parsley, Seafood, Steamed Mussels, White Wine

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs mussels
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 3 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups crisp white wine
  • 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
  • Grilled ciabatta slices, for serving (see note)

Instructions

  • Rinse and scrub mussels under cold water. If mussels still have their beards attached, pinch and remove. Any mussles that don't close when lightly tap, discard.
  • Add oil and butter to a large stockpot. Heat over medium heat, and add garlic and shallot, sauteeing until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add white wine, followed by mussels. Sprinkle in half of the parsley, reserving the remainder for garnish.
  • Cover pot, and steam for about 5 minutes, until all mussels have opened. Remove from heat and transfer to serving dish, or feel free to serve straight from the stockpot! Sprinkle with parsley before serving, and serve with grilled ciabatta for mopping up the cooking liquid!

Notes

For Grilled Ciabatta:
Brush slices of ciabatta bread with olive oil. Grill over medium heat until slightly charred, but still pliable. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving. 
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