Garlic White Wine Steamed Mussels Recipe
This Garlic Mussel Recipe is a simple and flavorful seafood dish featuring tender mussels steamed in a savory blend of butter, garlic, shallots, and white wine. Enhanced with a touch of red pepper flakes for mild heat and fresh lemon juice for brightness, this recipe delivers an elegant yet easy-to-make appetizer or main course perfect for seafood lovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean
Ingredients
Seafood
- 2 lbs. mussels, scrubbed and rinsed
Base and Aromatics
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste
Liquids and Garnish
- 1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
- 1 lemon, juiced, plus extra for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large shallow skillet. Add the finely chopped shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the shallots begin to soften, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Simmer with wine: Pour in the dry white wine and increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing the alcohol to slightly cook off and flavors to meld.
- Steam mussels: Add the cleaned mussels to the skillet and cover with a lid. Let them steam for 5-7 minutes or until nearly all the mussels have opened, stirring once or twice for even cooking.
- Finish cooking and add lemon: Stir in the juice of one lemon and cook the mussels uncovered for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat, discard any mussels that remain closed, and transfer the cooked mussels along with the cooking liquid to a serving bowl.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley and kosher salt over the mussels. Garnish with additional lemon wedges and serve immediately, ideally accompanied by crusty bread slices for dipping into the flavorful broth.
Notes
- Make sure to thoroughly clean and debeard the mussels before cooking to remove any grit or sand.
- Discard any mussels that do not open after steaming as they may not be safe to eat.
- Dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio works best to complement the delicate flavor of the mussels without overpowering them.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level, or omit if you prefer less heat.
- Serving with crusty bread is recommended to soak up the delicious garlic and wine broth.
