Beer-Braised Mussels
Plump mussels simmered in a fragrant ale broth with garlic and herbs, ideal for sharing. This Belgian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs mussels, Belgian ale, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs mussels
- 1/2 cup Belgian ale
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Scrub 2 lbs mussels under cold water to remove debris, then pull out and discard the beards.
- Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup Belgian ale and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Add mussels to the pot, cover with a lid, and cook for 6-7 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally, until shells open.
- Step 5: Discard any mussels that remain closed. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Step 6: Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, then transfer to a serving dish.
