How to Steam & Clean Mussels

Eat mussels on the day that you purchase them because they are highly perishable.

Before you can steam mussels, they need cleaned properly to remove debris and dirt. Failure to clean the mussels can result in a food-borne illness and -- at the very least -- the mussels will have a gritty texture. Mussels can die if you do not store them correctly; do not cook a dead mussel. Once you clean the mussels properly, steam them on the stovetop for a quick meal. Mussels are high in protein and do not contain much fat.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Damp washcloth
• Towel
• Tongs
• Scrub brush
• 1/2 cup water or white wine
• Large cooking pot with lid
• Oven gloves

Instructions

Clean Mussels

1. Remove the mussels from the packaging immediately when you bring them home so that they can breathe. Place the mussels in the refrigerator in a bowl, and cover the bowl with a damp washcloth. If you do not allow the mussels to breathe, they can die before you cook them.

2. Discard mussels that are chipped, damaged or broken. Throw out open shells. Tap on the mussel shells lightly if they appear slightly opened. If the shells do not close tightly, throw them away because they are dead.

3. Soak the mussels in fresh water for 20 minutes before you cook them. This will remove any excess sand and dirt.

4. Grab onto the mussel beard with a dry towel and pull on it toward the mussel hinge. This will remove the beard or fibers from the shell. Avoid pulling the beard toward the mussel opening because you can tear the mussel from the shell, which may kill it.

5. Remove the mussels from the soaking water with tongs. Straining the mussels into a colander will pour the sand or salt back over them. Place the mussels into another bowl full of clean water.

6. Scrub on the mussels with a brush to remove any remaining debris. Rinse the mussels under cool tap water and place them on a towel. Cook the mussels immediately after you clean them.

Steam Mussels

1. Pour 1/2 cup of water or white wine into a large cooking pot. Bring the water or wine to a boil over high heat. This amount works for up to 4 lbs. of mussels.

2. Add the mussels to the cooking pot. Cover the pot with a lid.

3. Lower the heat to medium when the steam forces its way out from under the lid. Steam the mussels for 5 minutes.

4. Grab the sides of the cooking pot with oven gloves. Shake the pot to redistribute the mussels and cook them for another 3 minutes.

5. Remove the mussels as they open. Continue cooking the mussels for another 2 to 3 minutes if there are any that remain closed.

6. Discard the mussels that remain closed. Remove the mussels from the pot and serve them with the cooking liquid. Serve them in the shell or remove the mussels from the shell.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy mussels close to the date that you plan to cook them to ensure that they remain fresh.

• Do not overcook the mussels because they will become tough.

References

• "NPR"; Mussels Made Easy; Betsy Block; November 2005
• BBC: Good Food: Mussels
• All Recipes: Cleaning Mussels
• Discover Mussels: How to Cook Mussels
• All Recipes: Steamed Mussels II Recipe
• University of Arkansas; Safe Handling and Preparation of Fish and Shellfish Products; Denise Brochetti; February 2009