Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce

These Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce are elegant, easy, and full of flavor. Sautéed with shallots, garlic, red pepper, and oregano in a buttery wine broth, they're perfect for a quick dinner or entertaining guests.

There are few dishes that feel as elegant yet effortless as a steaming bowl of mussels bathed in a garlicky white wine sauce. This Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce recipe is simple, impressive, and packed with flavor. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a restaurant-quality dish in under 20 minutes—perfect for dinner parties, romantic evenings, or a coastal-inspired weeknight meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast and easy — Ready in under 20 minutes

• Minimal ingredients with big flavor payoff

• Elegant but budget-friendly

• Naturally low-carb and gluten-free

• Perfect for entertaining or a cozy night in

This dish brings the essence of the ocean to your kitchen with a white wine broth so good you'll want to mop up every drop with crusty bread.

Ingredient Breakdown

Mussels (1 lb)

• Look for fresh, closed mussels. Rinse and scrub them under cold water, removing any beards.

• Mussels are a lean protein, rich in iron and omega-3s.

• Discard any that don’t open after cooking.

Olive Oil (1 tbsp)

• Used to sauté the aromatics and add a touch of richness.

Shallot (1, diced)

• Adds subtle sweetness and complexity without overpowering the mussels.

Garlic (4–5 cloves, thinly sliced)

• A core flavor of the broth, garlic infuses the wine with savory depth.

• Slicing instead of mincing keeps the flavor more delicate and the texture rustic.

Crushed Red Pepper (½ tsp)

• Adds a subtle heat to balance the richness of the butter and wine.

Salt (½ tsp)

• Enhances all the other flavors. Adjust to taste after tasting the broth.

Dried Oregano (1 tsp)

• Adds earthy herbaceousness. You can swap for thyme or Herbes de Provence.

White Wine (½ cup)

• Use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

• Wine forms the base of the flavorful broth.

Water (¼ cup)

• Helps steam the mussels evenly and dilute the wine for a balanced sauce.

Fresh Parsley (chopped, to taste)

• A pop of green and fresh herbal note for garnish.

Unsalted Butter (½ stick / 4 tbsp)

• Whisked in at the end to emulsify the sauce and create a silky finish.

Full Recipe: Steamed Mussels in White Wine Garlic Sauce

Servings: 2–4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh mussels, cleaned and beards removed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 shallot, finely diced

• 4–5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ cup dry white wine

• ¼ cup water

• ½ stick (4 tbsp) unsalted butter

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

🍽️ Instructions

1. Clean Mussels: Rinse mussels under cold water. Scrub shells and remove any beards. Discard any that are cracked or don’t close when tapped.

2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large pan with a lid, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds.

3. Deglaze: Pour in white wine and water. Stir in crushed red pepper, salt, oregano, and a tablespoon of parsley. Bring to a simmer.

4. Steam Mussels: Add mussels to the pan and cover tightly with a lid. Let steam for 3–5 minutes or until mussels open. Shake the pan occasionally to ensure even cooking.

5. Finish Sauce: Use tongs to transfer mussels to serving bowls. Whisk butter into the broth until melted and smooth.

6. Serve: Spoon the buttery wine sauce over mussels. Garnish with extra chopped parsley. Serve immediately with crusty bread or pasta.

Pro Tips for Perfect Mussels

• Buy fresh mussels the same day you plan to cook them.

• Store them in the fridge in a bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to cook.

• Don’t skip de-bearding and rinsing to avoid gritty bites.

• Avoid overcooking: Mussels are done as soon as they open.

Serving Ideas

• 🥖 Serve with toasted baguette or sourdough to soak up the broth.

• 🍝 Spoon mussels over linguine or spaghetti for a seafood pasta twist.

• 🍼 Add a glass of crisp white wine for the ultimate pairing.

• 🌿 Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon and olive oil.

Variations

• Add cherry tomatoes to the broth for sweetness and color.

• Swap wine for broth if avoiding alcohol (use seafood or vegetable broth).

• Add cream at the end with the butter for a richer sauce.

• Use leeks instead of shallots for a sweeter onion flavor.

Yield: 4

Author: CookSnapBake.com

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Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce

These Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce are elegant, easy, and full of flavor. Sautéed with shallots, garlic, red pepper, and oregano in a buttery wine broth, they're perfect for a quick dinner or entertaining guests.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 20 Min

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh mussels, cleaned and beards removed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 4–5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ cup dry white wine
• ¼ cup water
• ½ stick (4 tbsp) unsalted butter
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Clean Mussels: Rinse mussels under cold water. Scrub shells and remove any beards. Discard any that are cracked or don’t close when tapped.
2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large pan with a lid, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
3. Deglaze: Pour in white wine and water. Stir in crushed red pepper, salt, oregano, and a tablespoon of parsley. Bring to a simmer.
4. Steam Mussels: Add mussels to the pan and cover tightly with a lid. Let steam for 3–5 minutes or until mussels open. Shake the pan occasionally to ensure even cooking.
5. Finish Sauce: Use tongs to transfer mussels to serving bowls. Whisk butter into the broth until melted and smooth.
6. Serve: Spoon the buttery wine sauce over mussels. Garnish with extra chopped parsley. Serve immediately with crusty bread or pasta.

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Ready to impress without the stress? This Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce recipe is simple, elegant, and packed with flavor.

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