Steaming Mussels: How Long Until They're Done Perfectly?

Steamed mussels are a delicious, simple, and affordable dish that can be prepared in various ways and served as an appetizer or a main course. When cooking steamed mussels, it is important to ensure that the mussels are fresh and properly cleaned before cooking. The cooking process itself is relatively quick, with most recipes requiring mussels to be steamed for around 5-10 minutes, until their shells open.

How to prepare mussels for cooking

Preparing mussels for cooking is simple but important. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Storing mussels

Mussels are living creatures and are usually still alive when you buy them. They are best cooked as soon as you buy them, but they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a few days. To store them, place the mussels in a bowl and cover with a damp cloth or paper towel. Keep the bowl in the fridge, and make sure it is not airtight, as mussels need to breathe. Do not store mussels in water or an airtight container.

Selecting mussels

When selecting mussels to buy, choose ones with tightly closed shells that smell fresh and briny. One or two cracked shells are not a problem, but if most mussels are open or cracked, they are likely old or have been poorly handled. If you see an open shell, tap it gently against the counter; if the mussel is alive, it will react and close its shell. If it doesn't close, discard it.

Cleaning mussels

Clean mussels right before cooking, not in advance, as cleaning them can kill them. Rinse each mussel under cool running water and scrub gently to remove any debris. Keep the mussels on the counter during this process, so the bowl doesn't fill with water.

De-bearding mussels

Some mussels will have a "beard", which is a group of short brown strings that look like hair. These are the fibres the mussel uses to attach itself to ropes or rocks. Grip these strings and tug gently from side to side to remove them. If the beard is difficult to remove, cut it as close to the shell as possible with scissors.

Checking mussels before cooking

Before cooking, check over your mussels one last time. Discard any with cracked shells. Tap any open shells gently against the counter; if they don't close, they have died and should be discarded.

How to store mussels before cooking

Mussels are living creatures, and they are usually still alive when you buy them. They are best cooked as soon as you buy them, but they can be stored in the fridge for a few days. Here is a guide on how to store mussels before cooking:

Storing Live Mussels

• Place the mussels in a bowl or unsealed container. Mussels need to breathe, so do not store them in an airtight container or in water.
• Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or paper towel to keep the mussels moist, and store in the fridge.
• Mussels should be stored on the bottom shelf of the fridge, where they are least likely to leak or drip onto other foods.
• Drain any water that collects in the bowl or container daily.
• Check the mussels daily and discard any that have cracked shells or do not close when tapped.
• Mussels should be cooked and eaten within 2 to 4 days of purchasing. If you cannot eat them within this time, it is best to freeze them.

Storing Cooked Mussels

• Remove the cooked mussels from their shells.
• Place the mussels in a freezer-friendly container and cover them with their cooking broth.
• Seal the container and store in the fridge or freezer.
• Cooked mussels can be stored in the fridge for up to one day or in the freezer for three to four months.

How to steam mussels

Steaming mussels is a quick and easy way to cook mussels, and they can be adapted to a variety of flavour combinations. Here is a guide on how to steam mussels:

Preparation

Mussels are living creatures and are usually still alive when you buy them. They are best cooked as soon as you buy them, but they will last for a few days in the fridge. If you need to store them, place them in a bowl and cover with a damp dish towel or paper towel. They need to breathe, so do not store them in an airtight container or in water.

Before cooking, check over the mussels carefully. Discard any with cracked shells. Mussels should be tightly closed; if you see one that is open, tap it gently against the counter. If it is alive, this will trigger a reaction for the mussel to close its shell. If the mussel doesn't close, discard it.

Cooking

Steaming mussels is a simple process. Here is a basic recipe:

• Warm butter or olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and/or garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent.
• Pour in the mussels, along with broth and wine. Cover the pan and cook for 5-10 minutes. Mussels are cooked when their shells have opened.
• Remove the lid and check the mussels. Discard any mussels that haven't opened.
• Serve the mussels straight from the pan or pour them and the broth into a serving bowl. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with crusty bread.

Tips

• Mussels are best cooked when fresh, but they can be frozen and reheated.
• Farm-raised mussels tend to be a better choice as the quality is often higher.
• When picking mussels, look for those with tightly closed shells that smell fresh and briny.
• Before cooking, mussels should be cleaned and 'debearded'. To debeard, grip any short brown strings with your fingers or tweezers and tug gently from side to side.
• Do not soak mussels before cooking, but give them a rinse with cold water and scrub with a brush if necessary.
• Mussels are usually cooked when their shells have opened. If they haven't opened, they are likely to be bad and should be discarded.
• You can experiment with steaming liquids and add different vegetables, spices, or meats to the base.

How to serve steamed mussels

Steamed mussels are best served with crusty bread or baguette to soak up the broth. You can also serve them with lemon wedges, a simple side salad, or even French fries (pommes frites).

If you're serving steamed mussels as a starter, consider following it with a main course such as garlic parmesan baked flounder, chicken marbella, or stuffed meatballs.

For a light main dish, pair steamed mussels with a rustic Italian rosemary focaccia or a crusty loaf of French bread.

If you want to get creative, you can also add a few different ingredients to the basic recipe to create your own variation. For example, you could try adding beer or cider as the liquid, or adding fennel or lemongrass to the base. A spoonful of curry paste or a sprinkle of spices can also take the dish in a new direction.

How to store leftover steamed mussels

Mussels are a delicious treat, but what do you do with leftovers? Here is a guide on how to store leftover steamed mussels to enjoy another time.

Storing Cooked Mussels

Firstly, it is important to note that cooked mussels will only last a day in the fridge or up to four months in the freezer. If you plan to keep them longer than a day, freezing is the best option.

To store in the fridge, remove the cooked mussels from their shells and place them in a freezer-friendly container. Cover the mussels completely with their broth, seal the container, and place them in the fridge.

For freezing, follow the same steps as above, ensuring the container is suitable for freezing. Mussels frozen in this way will last for three to four months.

Storing Fresh Mussels

If you have leftover mussels that have not been cooked yet, you can store them in the fridge for two to four days. Place them in a bowl or unsealed container, covered with a damp cloth or paper towel. Remember not to store them in water or an airtight container. They should smell fresh and briny like the ocean.

Recipe Ideas for Leftover Mussels

If you are looking for recipe ideas to use up your leftover steamed mussels, here are some suggestions:

• Mussels remoulade: Mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped capers and/or cornichons, finely chopped shallot, and fresh parsley. Add some of the chilled steaming liquid to loosen the sauce. Serve the mussels cold on a half shell or on thin pieces of toasted baguette.
• Freeze the mussels in their cooking liquid and use them later for soups or chowders.
• Thread the mussels onto bamboo skewers and reheat them on a charcoal fire.
• Leave the mussels on the half shell, top with seasoned breadcrumbs, and broil.
• Add the mussels to a soup, like a pumpkin or winter squash soup.

Frequently asked questions