This Garlic Miso Mussels recipe is an effortless one pan supper. One of the most mouthwatering ways to enjoy mussels is to have it with a rich and savoury garlic miso sauce. Be sure to toast up your favourite crusty bread to soak up the delicious creamy sauce. Thatβs the very best part!
Mussels, with their tender meat and briny flavor, have been a beloved seafood choice for centuries. This quick and easy recipe is great for the busy weeknights. This dish is not only delicious but also surprisingly easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a cozy dinner at home or a special occasion with friends and family.
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Table of Contents
- What are Garlic Miso Mussels?
- Hereβs Why You Will Love Garlic Miso Mussels
- Equipment and Tools to Make Garlic Miso Mussels
- Ingredients
- Garlic Miso Mussels Options and Substitutions
- How to Make Garlic Miso Mussels
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- Make Ahead Options
- Recipe Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hungry for More Recipes with Seafood?
What are Garlic Miso Mussels?
Garlic Miso Mussels are a delectable seafood dish featuring fresh mussels cooked in a flavorful sauce made primarily from garlic and miso paste, along with other complementary ingredients. This dish offers a harmonious blend of Japanese and Western flavors, resulting in a savory, umami-packed sauce that perfectly complements the natural brininess of the mussels.
Hereβs Why You Will Love Garlic Miso Mussels
- Great for special occasions: Garlic Miso Mussels make the perfect appetizer or light dinner dish and is elegant for entertaining.
- Better than takeout: No need to go to a restaurant when you are craving mussels in a creamy sauce. Not to mention how pricey restaurants are these days!
- Minimal cleanup: Garlic Miso Mussels are made in one pan so there are less dishes to clean! Sit back and enjoy your meal.
- Great weeknight dinner: This quick and easy recipe is great for the busy weeknights. I know I am always looking to cook up something quick and easy. This comes together in 15 minutes!
- Delicious: Mop up the garlic miso sauce with a crusty slice of bread. Mmm, totally delicious!
Equipment and Tools to Make Garlic Miso Mussels
Pot: To cook the mussels in
Cutting board and knife: To mince garlic and onion
Measuring spoons and cups: To measure seasonings and other ingredients
Ingredients
Alright, let’s make our shopping list! To make this recipe, you will need…
Mussels: Fresh mussels are the star of this dish. They are known for their tender, slightly sweet meat and are often enjoyed in various cuisines around the world.
Onion: I use a small yellow onion which adds a complex flavour to the broth.
Garlic: I love garlic so much! It provides a rich, aromatic, and slightly pungent flavor. Minced garlic is sautΓ©ed in oil to infuse the dish with its essence.
Miso Paste: Miso paste is a traditional Japanese seasoning that adds a deep, savory, and complex flavor known as umami. There are different types of miso paste, including white miso (milder and sweeter) and red miso (stronger and saltier), and either can be used in this dish depending on your preference. In this recipe, I use white miso paste.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For those who enjoy a bit of heat, crushed red pepper flakes can be added to the dish to provide a touch of spiciness.
Cilantro: Cilantro provides a bright and herbaceous note at the end.
Butter, chicken broth and cream: The key is pairing the mussels to the right sauce. These three ingredients form the base of the creamy sauce.
Garlic Miso Mussels Options and Substitutions
Want to mix things up with this recipe? Feel free to…
- Add 1/4 cup of sake. Sake is a Japanese rice wine that contributes a subtle sweetness and depth of flavour to the sauce. It is commonly used in Japanese cuisine for cooking and as a beverage. Reduce the chicken broth by 1/4 cup if adding sake.
- Add 1/4 cup of mirin. Mirin is another Japanese rice wine, but it is sweet and adds a pleasant sweetness to the sauce. It balances out the saltiness of the miso and soy sauce. Reduce the chicken broth by 1/4 cup if adding mirin.
- Full fat cream works best for this sauce. I have tried using 1% milk and it is just as delicious but not as creamy.
- Add some fresh green onions to brighten the dish.
- For a citrusy twist, add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice just before serving.
How to Make Garlic Miso Mussels
Letβs make this dish!
Begin by cleaning the mussels thoroughly. Scrape with a butter knife or scrub the shells with a brush under cold running water and remove any beards (the hairy threads) that may be attached. Discard any mussels that are broken or that are open and do not close when tapped or squeezed.
Heat oil in a pot on medium heat. Add butter, onion, garlic and chili flakes. Saute until onions are translucent.
Add miso paste, chicken broth and cream. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Add the cleaned mussels and cover with a lid for 4 minutes. Gently stir and cook for another 4 minutes or until all of the mussels have opened. Remove pan from heat and stir in cilantro.
To serve, remove and discard any unopened mussels. Place remaining mussels and broth in a large bowl. They are best enjoyed with steamed rice to soak up that delectable sauce, or with a side of crusty bread for dunking.
Storage and Reheating Tips
The Garlic Miso Mussels refrigerate well in an air tight container for up to three days. Consider removing the mussels from the shells before storing them.
The best way to reheat garlic miso mussels is on the stovetop. Heat them over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the mussels rubbery.
Make Ahead Options
You can clean and debeard the mussels a few hours before cooking. Rinse them thoroughly, remove any barnacles or beards, and store them in a colander in the refrigerator with a damp cloth or paper towel over them to keep them moist.
Prepare the minced garlic, chopped onions, or sliced cilantro, and store them in separate containers in the fridge. This will make the cooking process more efficient.
Recipe Tips
Choose fresh, live mussels for the best flavour. Check for any cracked shells, which may indicate that the mussel is dead and should be discarded.
Before cooking, scrub the mussels clean and remove any beards (the hairy strands) attached to them. Rinse them thoroughly under cold running water.
Use a good-quality miso paste, preferably white miso or a milder variety. Adjust the amount of miso to your taste, as it can vary in saltiness.
Serve the garlic miso mussels immediately in bowls, along with crusty bread or steamed rice to soak up the delicious broth.
Don’t forget to provide empty bowls for discarded shells.
Remember that reheating mussels should be done gently and not for an extended period to maintain the mussels’ flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Garlic Miso Mussels taste like? Garlic Miso Mussels are a delectable seafood dish featuring fresh mussels cooked in a flavorful sauce made primarily from garlic and miso paste, along with other complementary ingredients. This dish offers a harmonious blend of Japanese and Western flavors, resulting in a savory, umami-packed sauce that perfectly complements the natural brininess of the mussels.
What goes well with Garlic Miso Mussels? Serve these mussels with steamed rice or crusty bread. Let the bread soak up that delicious sauce!
Are Garlic Miso Mussels healthy? Mussels are an excellent source of high-quality protein and contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health and reducing inflammation. They are rich in essential minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium, and iodine.
How do you prepare mussels? Clean the mussels thoroughly. Scrub the shells with a brush or scrape with a butter knife under cold running water and remove any beards (the hairy threads) that may be attached. Discard any mussels that are broken or that are open and do not close when tapped or squeezed.
Hungry for More Recipes with Seafood?
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Lastly, if you make my Garlic Miso Mussels be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, donβt forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest.
Garlic Miso Mussels
Equipment
- Pot
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- 3 lbs mussels
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Β½ tsp chili flakes
- 1 tbsp miso paste
- 1ΒΌ cup chicken stock
- ΒΎ cup cream
- cilantro for garnish
- crusty bread lightly toasted, for dipping
Instructions
- Begin by cleaning the mussels thoroughly. Scrape with a butter knife or scrub the shells with a brush under cold running water and remove any beards (the hairy threads) that may be attached. Discard any mussels that are broken or that are open and do not close when tapped or squeezed.
- Heat oil in a pot on medium heat. Add butter, onion, garlic and chili flakes. Saute until onions are translucent.
- Add miso paste, chicken broth and cream. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the cleaned mussels and cover with a lid for 4 minutes. Gently stir and cook for another 4 minutes or until all of the mussels have opened. Remove pan from heat and stir in cilantro.
- To serve, remove and discard any unopened mussels. Place remaining mussels and broth in a large bowl. They are best enjoyed with steamed rice to soak up that delectable sauce, or with a side of crusty bread for dunking.
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy they are to prepare. Even for someone like me, following the steps was a breeze. They’re perfect for those busy working days when you need to whip up something tasty in a hurry. The miso and mussels were a perfect combination!
This recipe is theπ£ bomb I love mussels
Thanks Pete! I hope you had the sauce with rice or crusty bread.