Tips

Bradley’s guide to cooking mussels

guide to cooking eating mussels

Mussels are classed as one of the more exotic or adventurous types of seafood you can eat which is why many people are a little apprehensive about buying them or ordering them in a restaurant. However, mussels are so delicious that we don’t want anyone to miss out on this amazing seafood. That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide for cooking and eating mussels at home. We guarantee once you try them, you’ll wonder why you waited so long!

Why eat mussels?

Not only are mussels delicious, but mussel meat is rich in protein, while low in fat, which makes them filling yet light for the stomach. They are a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids that can help with maintaining good cardiovascular health. They also contain a lot of micronutrients such as B-12, Selenium and Manganese which are beneficial to the nervous and immune systems as well as overall metabolism.

Our guide for cooking mussels at home

  1. Start by rinsing the mussels under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
  2. Check for any mussels that are open and tap them lightly. If they do not close, discard them as they are likely dead and not safe to eat.
  3. Place the mussels in a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. Add a small amount of liquid, such as white wine, broth, or water, and bring to a boil over high heat.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that do not open.
  5. Remove the mussels from the pot with a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl. Discard the cooking liquid.
  6. To eat the mussels, gently twist off the top shell and discard it. Use a fork to remove the mussel meat from the bottom shell and dip it in melted butter or a sauce of your choice.
  7. Repeat with the remaining mussels and enjoy!

You can also cook mussels on the grill or in a skillet over medium-high heat. And if you are using mussels in a recipe, you can remove the mussels from their shells before cooking. Never eat mussels that are visibly damaged or have a strong, unpleasant smell.

Here at Bradley’s, we have a variety of mussels available to buy online including Chilean Mussels, Small Mussels and New Zealand Mussels.  Stuck for ways to serve your mussels? Head over to our recipe section for some scrumptious mussel recipes including our Mussels in Spicy Tomato Sauce and Half Shell Mussels in White Wine.

If you’ve never tried mussels before, buy your mussels online from Bradley’s Fish!