Straight from the pantry
What Can I Make with Mussels?
Mussels steam open in minutes in a pot of broth. Serve them with crusty bread for a cozy, hands-on dinner.
Cooking with mussels
Mussels cook in their shells in one covered pot. As they steam, they open and release a tasty juice that mixes into the broth. Garlic, onion, herbs, tomatoes or a splash of cream are common flavors. Bread is a must for the broth.
Unlike shrimp and scallops, mussels are served in the shell, which makes the meal slow and fun to eat. They are not picked from the shell like crab. And they are softer and plumper than calamari. Throw away any that stay closed after cooking.
Questions folks ask
How long do mussels take to cook?
Usually about five to eight minutes in a covered pot, until the shells open.
What if a mussel does not open?
Do not eat it. Throw it away.
Do I need wine for mussels?
No. Broth, tomatoes, or water with garlic and herbs also work well.
Kitchen tips
- Rinse mussels and pull off any stringy beard.
- Discard any with cracked shells or that stay open when tapped.
- Cook with a tight lid and shake the pot now and then.
- Throw out any that do not open after cooking.
- Cook them the day you buy them.