The Best Moules Marinières (Sailor-Style Mussels) R

Name: The Best Moules Marinières (Sailor-Style Mussels) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 small leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced; 1 small shallot, thinly sliced; 4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced; 2 bay leaves; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 cup hard dry cider or white wine; 2 pounds mussels (see note); 2 to 3 tablespoons; (see note), creme fraiche, or heavy cream (optional); 1 tablespoon juice and 1 teaspoon grated zest from 1 lemon; 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves; Additional; for serving (optional, see note); 1 loaf rustic sourdough bread, thickly sliced, drizzled with olive oil, and broiled until heavily toasted

Servings: persons

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 bay leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup hard dry cider or white wine
2 pounds mussels (see note)
2 to 3 tablespoons
(see note), creme fraiche, or heavy cream (optional)
1 tablespoon juice and 1 teaspoon grated zest from 1 lemon
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Additional
for serving (optional, see note)
1 loaf rustic sourdough bread, thickly sliced, drizzled with olive oil, and broiled until heavily toasted

1
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks, shallot, garlic, and bay leave. Season lightly with salt and heavily with black pepper and cook, stirring, until vegetables are very soft but not browned, about 10 minutes.
2
Increase heat to high and add cider or wine. Bring to a boil and let reduce by half, about 2 minutes. Add mussels, stir, cover, and cook, shaking pan constantly and peeking every 30 seconds to stir. As soon as all the mussels are open, transfer mussels to a bowl using tongs. Place pan lid over bowl to keep mussels warm.
3
Remove from heat and whisk in remaining butter along with mayonnaise or creme fraiche (if using). Return mussels to pot, add parsley, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stir to combine, then transfer to a warm serving bowl. Serve immediately with additional mayonnaise (if using) and broiled bread.

396

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 small leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced, 1 small shallot, thinly sliced, 4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced, and more.

Yes, The Best Moules Marinières (Sailor-Style Mussels) Recipe falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

The Best Moules Marinières (Sailor-Style Mussels) Recipe

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions