These Drunken Mussels are simmered in a savory white wine and garlic-butter sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes, they make a healthy and delicious appetizer or light dinner for any occasion.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Drunken Mussels Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Drunken Mussels
• 🔪 How to Make Drunken Mussels
• 💡 Tips for Steaming Mussels
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Steamed Mussels
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• What Type of Wine is Best for Steaming Mussels?
• Can I Use Frozen Mussels for this Recipe?
• Can I Make this Recipe Without Wine?
• How Many Mussels Should I Serve Per Person?
• What are the Nutrients in Mussels?
• 🍽️ More Fish and Seafood Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Drunken Mussels Recipe

• Tender, fresh mussels
• Simmered in a white wine garlic butter sauce
• Made in under 10 minutes
• Easy and delicious, healthy dinner

These Drunken Mussels are a restaurant-quality dish you can easily make at home. Also known as Moules Marinières, a classic French recipe, it starts with fresh mussels simmered in a delightful white wine and garlic-butter sauce. Shallots, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes are added to delightfully enhance the natural brininess of the mussels.

What makes these mussels truly special is how quickly and easily they come together. In just a few minutes, you can have a healthy and delicious dish ready to serve. The mussels cook perfectly, opening up to reveal tender morsels that soak up the rich sauce. Serve them with a side of toasted baguette, perfect for sopping up every last drop of the delicious broth.

If you love seafood and are looking for other recipes that can double as an appetizer and main course, be sure to check out these Asian Shrimp Tacos.

🛒 Ingredients for Drunken Mussels

• Mussels
• White wine
• Garlic
• Shallots
• Lemon
• Parsley
• Red pepper flakes

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Pan with lid

🔪 How to Make Drunken Mussels

Scrub your mussels and be sure to discard any that are open and won’t close.  Then set them aside.

In a 10" pot or braiser with a tight fitting lid, add in the butter over medium heat, and once melted, add in the shallots.

Sauté for about a minute, then add in the garlic.

Continue sautéing for another 30 seconds, making sure not to brown it.  Add in the wine, lemon juice, zest and red pepper flakes.

Once it comes to a simmer, add in the mussels and cover, simmering for 1 minute.

Remove the lid and stir, then continue simmering for another 2-3 minutes or just until all the mussels have opened.  Do not overcook them, as once they have opened they are ready and overcooking them will cause them to become rubbery.

Sprinkle the fresh parsley over the tops, stir and transfer to your serving bowl. Serve with some toasted baguette.

💡 Tips for Steaming Mussels

Freshness is key: Fresh mussels should have a clean, briny smell of the ocean. Avoid any with cracked shells.

Tap them: Mussels should be tightly closed. If any are slightly open, give them a tap. They should close within a few seconds. Discard any that remain open.  

Scrub them: Clean the mussels under cold water with a brush to remove any debris or barnacles.

Debeard: Remove the "beard" (this is the tuft that’s coming out of the shell) by pulling it towards the hinge end of the shell.

Don't overcook: As soon as the mussels open, they are done. Overcooking will make them tough and rubbery.

☑️ Storage Instructions

If you have leftover mussels, remove them from their shells and store in the refrigerator for up to two days.

🍴 What to Serve with Steamed Mussels

• Bread: You can never go wrong with a big slice of crusty bread. For a low-carb option, try this Braided Herb Bread.

• Salads: For a light meal, consider serving them with a simple green salad, cucumber salad, watermelon and feta salad, or a Caprese salad.

• Vegetables: Creamed spinach, air fryer asparagus, or a serving of these oven-roasted veggies are always a great choice

• Potatoes: For a heartier meal, serve them with these air fryer red potatoes, this German potato salad, or these home fries.

• Pasta: Toss them in with tender linguine for a wonderful meal.

Also be sure to try these Italian Drunken Noodles that are absolutely loaded with great flavor and can be made in just 30 minutes!

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Provençal: Add diced tomatoes, olives, capers, and a splash of Pernod or pastis for a Mediterranean flair.

• Thai-Style: Use coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, lime, and Thai basil. Replace parsley with cilantro and add a splash of fish sauce.

• Spanish-Style: Add a pinch of saffron, smoked paprika, and some chorizo.   

• Belgian-Style: Add celery, leeks, and a splash of Belgian ale instead of the wine. Finish with fresh herbs, like tarragon.

• Spicy Mussels Fra Diavolo: Increase the red pepper flakes and add a can of crushed tomatoes along with fresh basil and oregano for a spicy, Italian-inspired variation.  

• Curry: Add curry powder or paste along with coconut milk and chopped cilantro for a warm, spiced flavor.  

• Herb-infused: Use a mix of fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves for added flavor.

• Miso broth: Replace the wine with a mixture of miso paste and water for a Japanese twist.   

• Other add-ins: You can also add some chopped crispy bacon, fresh diced bell peppers or fresh diced cherry tomatoes

What Type of Wine is Best for Steaming Mussels?

A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay works well for steaming mussels. These wines add a nice acidity and flavor that make a tasty broth.

Can I Use Frozen Mussels for this Recipe?

While fresh mussels are definitely preferred, you can use frozen mussels. Make sure to thaw them completely and check for any open or damaged shells before cooking.

Can I Make this Recipe Without Wine?

Yes, you can substitute the wine with chicken or vegetable broth, or even use a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity.

How Many Mussels Should I Serve Per Person?

Typically, 1 to 1.5 pounds of mussels per person is a good serving size for a main course. For an appetizer, 0.5 pounds per person is usually plenty.

What are the Nutrients in Mussels?

Mussels are a great source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins like B12 and A, and minerals like iron, selenium, and zinc.

🍽️ More Fish and Seafood Recipes

• Air Fryer Pesto Salmon
• Sheet Pan Shrimp and Veggies
• Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
• Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Crostini 
• Smoked Salmon Frittata