The best pairings also depend on how the mussels are prepared:
Steamed mussels go well with bread, potatoes, or dipping sauces.
Grilled mussels pair nicely with salads and bread.
Roasted mussels complement vegetable sides.
Mussels in soups or stews match bread and heartier sides like polenta or rice.
image: canva
Mussels are a versatile shellfish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They pair well with a variety of flavors and textures. The best accompaniments complement the briny seafood flavor of mussels without overpowering them.
When serving mussels as an appetizer or starter, bread and potato dishes like fries or roasted potatoes are classic pairings that soak up the flavorful cooking liquid. Fresh salads and vegetables balance the richness.
For a main course, mussels work nicely with pasta, rice, or creamy risotto. Heartier roasted vegetables, polenta, or even meat like steak make satisfying surf and turf meals.
As a side dish, lighter flavors like herbed new potatoes, asparagus, or a bright citrus salad prevent the mussels from dominating the entire meal.
Mussels make an excellent starter for a multi-course meal. Their briny seafood flavor pairs well with a variety of hearty main dishes. The key is to select a main course that doesn’t overpower the more delicate mussels.
Hearty meat dishes like steak, lamb, or duck are classic choices. Creamy pastas complement the broth from steamed or sauteed mussels beautifully. Lighter fish entrees also work nicely after the rich starter.
Aim for contrasting textures as well. Crispy roasted potatoes or polenta offer a nice crunch compared to the tender mussels. Mashed or creamy risotto-style sides are soothing counterparts.
Recommended Main Courses
Hearty Meat Dishes
Steak with garlic herb butter.
Roast rack of lamb with rosemary.
Duck breast with cherry sauce.
Pork tenderloin with mustard cream sauce.
The rich flavors of red meat are perfect after the briny mussels starter. Steak is a classic surf and turf pairing[4]. Lamb and duck offer more unique but equally hearty choices.
Creamy Pastas
Linguine with white wine cream sauce.
Mushroom ravioli in browned butter.
Shrimp scampi over angel hair pasta.
Lobster mac and cheese.
Creamy pasta dishes complement the cooking liquid from steamed or sauteed mussels. The garlic, wine, and herbs marry beautifully with the residual broth flavors on the palate.
Lighter Fish Entrees
Baked cod with lemon.
Seared scallops.
Crab cakes with remoulade.
Grilled salmon with dill sauce.
Lighter fish keep the meal feeling bright after a rich mussels starter. Quick-cooking options like scallops or crab cakes work nicely. Baked or grilled fish add heartiness while maintaining the seafood theme.
Starchy Sides
Garlic mashed potatoes.
Polenta fries.
Risotto.
Roasted new potatoes.
Starchy sides provide contrasting crunch and creaminess. Mashed potatoes or risotto complement the tender mussels beautifully. Fries or roasted potatoes offer more texture.
Mussels and Bread and Salad. Credit: canva
Best Bread To Serve With Mussels
Crusty breads like baguette, focaccia, and ciabatta are classic pairings with mussels, according to multiple sources. The bread absorbs the flavorful cooking liquid beautifully. Garlic bread and Irish soda bread also complement mussels well. Avoid soft breads that fall apart when dipped.
Recommended Breads
Crusty Breads
Baguette.
Focaccia.
Ciabatta.
Crusty breads with a chewy interior and crispy crust are ideal for dipping in mussel broth. Baguette is the most traditional pairing in dishes like moules frites. Focaccia and ciabatta also work well.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread.
Garlic baguette.
Garlic bread adds flavor that complements mussels beautifully. It soaks up broth nicely. Garlic baguette is a classic French pairing.
Irish Soda Bread
Irish soda bread.
The redditor recommends Irish soda bread as an easy homemade bread that pairs well with mussels. It has a unique flavor and texture.
Other Breads to Avoid
Soft sandwich breads.
Bread that falls apart when dipped
Breads that are too soft and airy like sandwich bread do not work well, as they fall apart when dipped in broth. Look for breads with structure and crust.
Mussels with White Wine. Credit: canva
What To Serve With Mussels As Main Course
Mussels make an excellent starter for a multi-course meal. Their briny seafood flavor pairs well with a variety of hearty main dishes. The key is to select a main course that doesn’t overpower the more delicate mussels.
Hearty meat dishes like steak, lamb, or duck are classic choices. Creamy pastas complement the broth from steamed or sauteed mussels beautifully. Lighter fish entrees also work nicely after the rich starter.
Aim for contrasting textures as well. Crispy roasted potatoes or polenta offer a nice crunch compared to the tender mussels. Mashed or creamy risotto-style sides are soothing counterparts.
Recommended Main Courses
Hearty Meat Dishes
Steak with garlic herb butter.
Roast rack of lamb with rosemary.
Duck breast with cherry sauce.
Pork tenderloin with mustard cream sauce.
The rich flavors of red meat are perfect after the briny mussels starter. Steak is a classic surf and turf pairing. Lamb and duck offer more unique but equally hearty choices.
Creamy Pastas
Linguine with white wine cream sauce.
Mushroom ravioli in browned butter.
Shrimp scampi over angel hair pasta.
Lobster mac and cheese.
Creamy pasta dishes complement the cooking liquid from steamed or sauteed mussels. The garlic, wine, and herbs marry beautifully with the residual broth flavors on the palate.
Lighter Fish Entrees
Baked cod with lemon.
Seared scallops.
Crab cakes with remoulade.
Grilled salmon with dill sauce.
Lighter fish keep the meal feeling bright after a rich mussels starter. Quick-cooking options like scallops or crab cakes work nicely. Baked or grilled fish add heartiness while maintaining the seafood theme.
Starchy Sides
Garlic mashed potatoes.
Polenta fries.
Risotto.
Roasted new potatoes.
Starchy sides provide contrasting crunch and creaminess. Mashed potatoes or risotto complement the tender mussels beautifully. Fries or roasted potatoes offer more texture.
What Salad Goes With Mussels
Green Salads
Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette – The peppery arugula stands up to the briny mussels, while the lemon brightens up the dish.
Frisee salad with shaved fennel and citrus – The slight bitterness of the frisee complements the mussels. Shaved fennel and citrus add crunchy texture and acidity.
Simple green salad with vinaigrette – Lettuce, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, with a light vinaigrette dressing. Omit tomatoes if you already have them with the mussels.
Vegetable Salads
Fennel salad with cucumber and dill – Fennel’s light anise flavor pairs nicely with mussels. Cucumber and dill add freshness.
Jicama salad – Jicama’s crunchy texture contrasts the tender mussels. Dress with citrus juice and seasonings.
Roasted vegetable salad – Roast vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts to complement the mussels.
Other Salads
Coleslaw – Tangy coleslaw offers crunch and acidity to balance the rich mussels.
Potato salad – Creamy potato salad makes a hearty, comforting side. Opt for potato slices to add texture.
Seafood salad – Shrimp, crab, or lobster salad extends the surf and turf theme.
Green salads, vegetable salads, and seafood salads make excellent complements to mussels. Look for contrasting flavors and textures. Vinaigrettes, citrus, dill, and shaved vegetables are great additions.
