What to Serve With Mussels?

Dining on mussels might seem easy, but do you know what to serve with mussels?  There are many different accompaniments you can choose from.

Also, what you serve will depend on how you want to prepare your mussels and your personal taste preferences. 

For example, if you steam the mussels in their shells with herbs and white wine, you may want to serve that steaming liquid as the sauce to drizzle over them, or you could make it into a roux for dipping bread later.

So you want to know exactly what to serve with mussels? Check the list below. 

1. Aioli

This is the first on our list of what to serve with mussel. To complement those ocean flavors, whip up a quick batch of aioli.

It’s a versatile sauce that can be served cold or at room temperature and works well with most types of fish and shellfish. It is gluten-free and has a thick, buttery texture reminiscent of mayonnaise. 

We like ours spiked with lemon juice, chopped olives, or fresh herbs from the garden — but play around and create your own variations! Next time you are looking for what to serve with mussels, try Aioli.

2. White Wine Sauce

This also comes on the list of what to serve with mussels. The sauce can be made with either white wine or water; water sauce is preferred because it lets you clearly taste the mussel’s natural briny flavor.

This recipe is light and savory, with a few basil leaves, shallots, and garlic as simple accompaniments to the savory dish. 

Boil water in a saucepan and add salt. Place your rinsed mussels in the pan and cook them until they open up, about five minutes max; discard any that don’t open after that time has passed.

3. French Fries

The classic fry is best when cooked at high heat in oil until they are golden and crispy, but that can make them a bit greasy. For deep-frying, we recommend rice bran or peanut oil for frying, as these oils have high smoke points.

They can also withstand the intense heat required to achieve a crisp exterior before overcooking the inside of your fries. 

Meanwhile, serve with a dipping sauce like mayonnaise mixed with lemon juice or ketchup mixed with Dijon mustard, parsley, or cilantro. Make this your next option if you are looking for what to serve with mussels. 

4. Horseradish Sauce

This recipe is simple as can be, with all of its ingredients coming from a jar (besides parsley). That said, it comes together quickly and tastes dynamite! Served atop buttery, thick slices of crusty bread.

Also,  alongside crusty sourdough boules or baguettes slathered in roasted garlic butter, this sauce will taste great on whatever you decide to go with your mussels!

5. Sweet Potato Fries

Fries are a popular pairing with mussels, but what if you want something different? Look no further than the sweet potato fries.

They provide the perfect contrast in taste and texture and will make your meal feel more hearty and complete.

Here’s how to prepare them: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut up large or medium sweet potatoes into matchsticks or french fry shapes (this is easiest with a mandolin or a hand grater).

In a large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, and rosemary (fresh chopped herbs also work). Toss together until evenly coated. This is an option for your next meal if you are looking for what to serve with mussels

6. Fennel Salad

Fennel is a light, earthy vegetable with an aromatic and peppery flavor that pairs nicely with more robust flavors.

This vibrant fennel salad takes very little time to prepare and is what to serve with mussels as well as grilled vegetables, tofu skewers, chicken breasts, or your favorite fish!

• Add olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small jar.
• Shake the jar vigorously until ingredients are combined
• Pour dressing over diced fennel (about two large bulbs).
• Toss the fennel well to absorb all of the dressing’s flavors.

7. Jicama Salad

A quick, easy, satisfying salad for any meal of the day (or night!) This recipe is a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables when they are out of season or just looking their best.

Roasted jicama pairs perfectly with a spicy sour cream dressing and can be adapted with many variations in vegetables, seasoning, and toppings!

8. Garlicky Quinoa

Especially if you are looking for something healthy but filling simultaneously, this dish checks both boxes while adding an exotic flair that mussels are never short on. Your guests will give you kudo with this on their table, sure!

9. Tomato Salad

A good tomato salad is a staple in my kitchen, and it’s a great addition to any meal or lunch served as a stand-alone dish. It is also perfect if you want to serve it with mussels. 

In addition, It’s excellent with grilled seafood dishes, beef, poultry, goat cheese platters, sandwiches, and burgers, just to name a few!

Also, add some fresh parsley and dill that are chopped very finely, along with capers, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar.

Olive oil can be added, or, still better, an extra virgin olive oil with garlic, which cuts through the flavor of a tomato salad nicely too!

10. Roasted Broccoli

This is what to serve with mussels.  Make roasted broccoli, cut a head of broccoli in half, and remove the florets (leaves should be left whole).

Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar to a bowl. Toss in some salt, pepper, and garlic powder until fully mixed together. 

Next, Place them in a large oven-safe pan or casserole dish with water or oil, so they don’t stick to the pan while cooking.

Cover with foil and roast at 450 degrees Fahrenheit until they’re tender – approximately 20-25 minutes, depending on size.

11. Toasted Baguette

The simplest appetizer ever is this one! You may make some crunchy baguette slices with a few simple ingredients and 15 minutes of baking to go with the chewy mussels.

Toasty baguettes should be served with mussels, crisp salads, comforting crockpot soup, and tasty dipping sauce. This will make the ideal mixture.

12. Crusty Bread

With crusty bread, you have what to serve with mussels. This golden, crunchy bread is a surefire winner. Every bite will have a crunchy exterior texture and an interior texture that is light and soft.

The bread also has a fantastic honeyed, salty flavor. Making it is one of the simplest aspects of wonderful bread. You’ll be astounded by how delicious it tastes when you dip it in tomato sauce.

13. Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus is often overlooked, but it is in season now, and that can only mean one thing – time to try out a new recipe! A roasted asparagus is a great option because it doesn’t take too much extra time, and you only need a few ingredients.

14. Shrimp and Tomato

This shrimp and tomato recipe is one of many with a garlicky flavor that I have recommended. Because of the feta cheese and shrimp, it has a salty, salty-sweet flavor in addition to being garlicky.

Check it out! Such a lovely dish is perfect for what to serve with mussels. You’ll want it because of its vibrant colors—red, orange-pink, and green—and wonderful aroma. On a cozy night, serve it with mussels for an amazing supper.

15. Rose Wine

Rosé wine is additionally fruity and light. And in the summer, it tastes really great. It is interesting that it is also used to steam mussels, so it cannot be left out of this list. Additionally, your mussel supper will be more flavorful and satisfying because of its lovely color and fresh scent.

16. Potato Leek Soup

This soup is a classic and typically one of what to serve with mussels. It is a great option when making seafood at home. It’s hearty, easy to make, and tastes fantastic with fresh bread and butter.

Adding apple cider gives it an extra flavor boost, with each serving providing 8 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein.

The soup is finished off with cream and pure butter to give it a little richness and body; if you want to go vegan or dairy free simply omit the butter altogether or substitute it for olive oil.

You can pair it with a light Italian salad or mixed green salad dressed with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of sea salt. Enjoy!

17. Fruity Red Wine

A glass of delicious red wine is the perfect mate for mussels served with tomato sauce. It complements the tart flavor of tomatoes extremely well.

Depending on how fruity you want your red wine to be, any kind is OK. Some worthy selections are merlot, Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, and Red Zinfandel.

18. Mushrooms in Pickle

Let’s get something sour and hot. For every meal, including the mussels, a delicious appetizer of pickled mushrooms will be provided.

Due to the marinating and waiting required for the mushrooms to thoroughly absorb the flavor, this meal requires more time to prepare. But the outcome is worthwhile. The mushrooms will become crisp and flavorful.

19. Linguine

We advise pairing linguine, another type of pasta, with mussels. Unlike other pasta varieties, linguine is fairly flat and elliptical in shape.

This linguine recipe is buttery, garlicky, and creamy. This spaghetti is appealing because of the herbs and ground pepper used as garnishes and spices. Shrimps, bacon, and vegetables like broccoli can also be added to the linguine to make it tastier and healthier.

20. Angel Hair Pasta

This is what to serve with mussels. The name of this pasta is lovely. It also has a really nice appearance. 

It is created with the usual pasta ingredients but has a distinctive flavor. The world’s thinnest spaghetti is known as angel hair. 

Angel hair pasta can go with mussels as a cozy appetizer, just like the other pasta I’ve mentioned. This is ideal if you like pasta with thin strands and a light sauce.

21. Braised Leeks

We highly recommend this recipe if you cook steamed mussels as a side dish for your supper. White wine gives the garlicky leeks a mildly acidic and alcoholic flavor that pairs perfectly with the chewiness and freshness of steamed mussels.

Veggies rich in nutrients include leeks. As long as you know how to store leeks properly, you can maintain the vegetable’s flavor and nutritional benefits. So don’t pass up on this tasty and nutritious side dish.

22. Garlic Bread

Nothing says comfort food like a steaming loaf of hot, garlicky bread! Here’s how to make it fresh at home: In a small bowl, combine butter and one chopped garlic at room temperature. Combine with a little salt and pepper, and mix until it is soft but not greasy or liquid. 

Next, place two slices of crusty bread into the butter-garlic mixture in each bowl you use as ‘dippers.’ Coat both sides thoroughly and put them aside while you get the cooking water boiling.

Put some olive oil in a wide soup pot over medium heat until shimmering, then add minced garlic with sliced chives (fresh or dried) if desired.

23. White Wine

The list of what to serve with mussels is not complete without mentioning wine, especially white wine, which is frequently used when steaming mussels.

It’s interesting that you may sip it while eating mussels. The chefs advise doing this to get the best flavor out of your mussels.

Why not pair white wine with mussels instead? Its pleasant, fruity flavor is sufficient to warm your tummy. However, you can serve this perfect wine on a fondue night. And the flavors of the dish and this drink together will be wonderful.

24. Squid Ink Pasta

This is the last on our list of what to serve with mussels. You really wanted a dish that would pair well with seafood and help soak up any flavorful cooking liquid from the mussels.

So squid ink pasta with some asparagus. It’s just so vibrant in color that we think it screams summer! Plus, it was such an easy and quick dish to throw together once all of my ingredients were prepped and ready. 

In a pot, bring water (just enough to cover the bottom of your pan) and salt to a boil, then add dry spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente, which will take about 12-13 minutes (according to most package instructions). Once cooked through, remove from heat and drain immediately – do not rinse.

Conclusion

Mussels are the perfect companion to bread and wine, making them ideal for dinner parties or date nights at home.

But when it comes to deciding what to serve mussels, many people find themselves at a loss and looking for inspiration. 

The secret to amazing mussels is pairing them with the right accompaniments and sides! You’ll find recipes that go well with mussels above, along with tips on what wines, bread, and cheeses you should serve and helpful preparation techniques to ensure your mussels always taste their best. Enjoy!