Mussels with Garlic and Wine has been a favorite dish of both the Loon and me for many, many years.
The mussels add an incredible briny flavor to the pancetta, garlic, herbs, and wine sauce…with a bit of cream and butter to add some luxuriousness.
This is a dish that is both elegant and comfortable all at the same time. Just amazing. And only takes about 30 minutes to make!
MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND WINE IS EASY TO PREPARE
Like most seafood dishes, these mussels do not take long at all to make at home.
Get your bread nice and toasty, and then quickly steam the mussels in the wine, and you’ve got one of the most delicious appetizers (or entrees) in the world on your hands!
Watch us show you how easy it is to make Mussels with Garlic and Wine!
WHAT YOU NEED TO PREPARE MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND WINE
This dish is best because of the simple ingredients. Go with quality and freshness, and you will not be disappointed.
What you need:
- Mussels
- Garlic
- Pancetta
- White Wine
- Fresh Herbs
- Lemon
- Cream and Butter
GRILLED BREAD IS A MUST
The sauce is almost as delicious as the steamed mussels.
Therefore, it’s essential that you have something to soak up all the deliciousness. Sliced French bread is perfect.
EXPERT TIP:Get a medium-sized loaf of bread, and slice length-wise, down the middle. Then either toast the bread on your gas or charcoal grill. Or, grill on a stovetop grill pan. Or, place in 450° F oven for about 6 minutes, until golden brown and toasted.
OTHER AMAZING SEAFOOD DISHES
- Southern Crab Beignets
- Grilled Oysters with Tomato Compound Butter
- Spaghetti Vongole
- Almond Crusted Cod with Orange Butter Sauce
- Mediterranean Tuna Steaks
- Portuguese-Style Clam Chower
For our Mussels with Garlic and Wine, we begin building the flavor with crispy pancetta.
USE A QUALITY SAUCEPAN
We feel that this dish is best when not only using top-notch ingredients, but also using high-quality cookware.
We absolutely love our saucepan from Sardel.
All of Sardel cookware is made in Italy and is of the highest quality. Truly something special and perfect for serving these mussels.
MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND WINE ARE FRENCH
We prepare these mussels following the traditional French recipe.
The only difference is in France, they are typically served with fries (frites).
Although we do love frites, we just can’t get enough of that sauce with the grilled bread for soaking.
MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND WINE FAQs
- What type of mussels are best? We think the most delicious mussels in the world are PEI (Prince Edward Island) that come from an island in eastern Canada. However, if these aren’t available, any type you get from you fish monger will work.
- How do I prepare the mussels? Make sure you rinse them thoroughly to remove any sand or grit. Also brush them with strong bristle pad to remove the beard on the side of the mussel. You may not see any sand or beard, but it’s always good to rinse and brush anyway. Remember to discard any mussel that didn’t open during the steaming process.
- What is the best wine to use? A good dry white wine is best. We love a nice Sauvignon Blanc. Remember the rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t drink the wine, then don’t cook with it either.
- Can the dish be made ahead of time? This is one of those dishes that we feel is best served immediately after preparation. The sauce loses some of its luxurious texture and the mussels tend to dry out a bit. The good thing is the dish only takes about 20 minutes to prepare!
We love to finish the dish off with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley:
SERVE MUSSELS AS AN APPETIZER OR ENTREE
This is one dish that every time we serve it we are asked for the recipe.
The sauce alone is to die for. Don’t forget the grilled bread.
Make this dish for a special occasion and you will not be disappointed, we promise you that.
Ready to impress…in only about 20 minutes?
Make these incredible mussels. And don’t forget to take a picture, post to Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and #howtofeedaloon!
Mussels with Garlic and Wine
Ingredients
- 8 - 10 slices bread sliced 1/2" thick
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 oz pancetta chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano chopped
- 1 lb mussels scrubbed and beards removed
- 1/2 cup dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Juice whole lemon about 1 tablespoon
- Salt and pepper to taste healthy pinch of both
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped
Instructions
- Turn grill on medium-high, or pre-heat oven for 450°F.
- Brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil.
- Grill, or bake, until toasted. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
- Add pancetta and cook until crispy, about 5 - 8 minutes.
- Add another dash of olive oil to the pan. Add garlic and herbs and saute for about 1 minute.
- Add mussels and white wine, cover the pan, and steam until the mussels open, about 7 minutes.
- Carefully remove the lid, and add heavy cream, butter, lemon, salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes - stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate.
- Place mussels and sauce into serving dish. Discard any mussels that did not open during the steaming process.
- Garnish with parsley, plus another small pinch of salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Serve with toasted bread.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This recipe was originally posted in April, 2015, but was updated with new images, video and slight tweaks to the recipe in August, 2019.
In the verbiage it says something about a shallot but not in the recipe itself
If so how much of a shallot?
Hi Laureen! Sorry for the delayed response here! Thanks for bringing that to our attention. We update our recipes every now and then, and we believe at one point we included one half of a shallot that we sautéed after we cooked the pancetta. The garlic is what really gives the sauce the punch of flavor, so we left the shallot out. If you like shallots (we certainly do!), then go with 1 medium shallot that is finely chopped. Or…just don’t worry about it. We’ve updated the opening blurb and removed “shallot.” Thanks again and we hope you make these mussels…they are really amazingly delicious!
So I really want to make this for a family gathering as an appetizer. I will have to drive about 10 minutes. Is there a way I could transport it and keep them fresh and amazing?
Hi Audra! You could really do this a couple of ways. If you’ll be serving them as soon as you arrive, then prepare them and once the mussels have opened, put the lid on the pan and immediately bring them over and serve at once. If necessary, you could gently reheat on the stove just to warm the broth before serving. Prepare the bread ahead of time. Or…you can prep everything just up to simmering. Bring the pot over and then heat on the stove until mussels have opened. Serve them immediately, with bread that you prepared ahead of time. You’ll be a rock star with the family, for sure! Let us know how it all turns out and have fun with the fam!
Just made it this evening. Absolutely delicious! Mussels were delicious, sauce was off the charts! Made it for just my wife and I as a dinner (as opposed to an appetizer). There was more than enough for two!
Only regrets? Specifically two:
1. Not making enough grilled bread to soak up that incredibly delicious sauce.
2. Not making this years ago.
Thanks for another 5-star recipe, guys! This one is yet another keeper!
Mark
Mark! You just keep making us so happy! We are crazy for these mussels with garlic and wine, too!! And yes! That sauce just BEGS for bread!!!! Thank you SO SO MUCH for staying in touch and for making love what we do even more!! You are a wonderful soul!!!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley
Just made this today and it was delicious. Only variation was I added some shallots.
This recipe is definitely a keeper. Loved the video.
Hi Vickie!! That sounds fantastic! We are so so so happy that you had such great success with the mussels and thank you SO MUCH for letting us know and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us! Please stay in touch! All the very best, Kris & Wesley
For some reason, a big black play button is covering up your video.
Disregard, I fixed it!
Ah!!! Just saw this!! Hooray!!!
HI Rose! That’s so strange! The video looks okay from our end! Not sure what’s going on! You can always view our videos on our YouTube Channel, too! Best, Kris & Wesley
This tasted amazing. Sorry ate it up before taking picture.
Restaurant worthy!
Hi Heather!! Are those mussels divine? Now we’re craving them!!! We are so happy you had such great success with them and thank you so much for letting us know and for the awesome review! That means the world to us!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
This was amazing! So easy, too! Really enjoyed watching you guys on the video, you’re so much fun! Can’t wait to make again for Christmas Eve dinner this time. Have you ever doubled the recipe? Wondering if I should just make two separate pans full?
Hi Whitney!! So so so happy you loved the mussels with garlic and wine. That is hands down one of our all-time favorite dishes to make and serve! If you have a saucepan large enough to hold all the mussels, then you could double the recipe with no problem. But, two pans is a good option, too. Wishing you a beautiful and safe Christmas!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Love, love, love! Thank you for this amazing recipe. Made it for my husband’s birthday lunch, and he loved it!
Hi Jackie! That is music to our ears! So glad you had success with the mussels and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your hubby!! Thanks so much for letting us know and for the great review! We truly appreciate that so much!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
We made this recipe tonight and they were TO DIE FOR OMG! Thank you so much for sharing – we will do this one again soon!
Hi Frances!!! That is AMAZING to hear! We LOVE these mussels so much, too!! We are so happy you enjoyed them and thank you so much for letting us know and for the GREAT review!! We appreciate that so so much!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Incredible recipe! I made this for my parents anniversary dinner tonight and it was an absolute hit! I didn’t have fresh thyme and oregano so had to use dry spices, and it still was a great meal. Dipping that garlicky bread in the sauce was complete heaven for all of us!
Hey there!! This is hands-down one of our most favorite dishes to make. And YES! The sauce for dipping! Divine! We are so thrilled you were able to make such an amazing meal for your parents on their special day. That’ awesome. And thank you so much for letting us know. That means so very much to us. Please stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley
Ahhh, and swoon. I love mussels and this recipe is amazing. Cream! Butter! Wine! Great bread! I am in a location (the mountains of Southern Colorado) where mussels aren’t easily found. However, we hope to spend several months on the Oregon Coast and I am sure there will be great seafood locations. I am sure I can find PEI mussels there as well.
Hi Mary! Thank you so much!! We totally understand that mussels, depending on your current location, can be a challenge to get. Save this recipe when you can get your hands on great mussels (PEI are the best!) and it will be worth the wait! Let us know once you make them and let us know what you think! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Can you substitute with clams?