How to Clean Mussels: Best Way to Do It

Before getting any cooking done, be sure to clean your mussels

Nothing beats fresh seafood, especially when you have the pleasure of cooking it at home.

Mussels are an easy, healthy and delicious choice for your next seafood cook-up. Whether you’re cooking for the family, yourself or someone special you want to impress, you can’t go wrong with mussels. However, there’s a common misconception that fresh mussels are challenging to clean. As a result, some people shy away from preparing them at home.

We’re here to dispel that myth. And we’re not just about to teach you how to clean mussels; we’ll show you how to do it in a way that preserves their natural taste and texture.

Buying, Selecting and Storing

For any dish, your best foundation is fresh mussels. Keep our tips in mind when ordering from your local fish market. If you opt for a reputable online seafood delivery service, you can be sure the mussels come fresh and closed.

Here are some tips on buying fresh mussels:

• Look for shiny shells – Choose live mussels with clean and shiny shells. A vibrant mussel shell indicates freshness, while a dull or brittle shell might hint at age.
• Seek tightly closed shells – Opt for mussels that have tightly closed shells. An open shell could mean the mussel is dead and should be discarded. Note that consuming dead mussels can lead to food poisoning and other health problems.
• Be wary of gaping mussels – Not all gaping mussels are bad, but you should be cautious. Gaping mussels can indicate that the mussel is still alive, but it’s important to gently tap the shell. If it doesn’t close, the mussel might be dead and should be discarded.

With trusted online seafood marketplaces like Manettas, you can be sure you’re getting fresh mussels like these black mussels.

It’s important that you know how to store mussels properly. For this, you need to place the mussels in a bowl and cover them with a damp kitchen towel or paper towel. Avoid using an airtight container, as mussels need to breathe. Store the bowl in the fridge until you’re ready to clean and cook them, ideally within a day or two.

Do You Have to Clean Mussels Before Cooking?

Cleaning is essential before you cook mussels! This is to ensure the safety and quality of the dish you intend to prepare. Basically, you have the option for wild or farm-raised mussels. With wild mussels, especially, you can expect barnacles, sand and even seaweed clinging to their shells. 

Properly cleaning mussels not only removes unwanted elements but also helps prevent any grit or debris from ending up in your dish.

Green mussels (like these New Zealand green mussels) are larger and meatier than black mussels. They also have a milder flavour.

The Best Way to Clean Mussels

So, how do you clean mussels before cooking? Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to cleaning mussels:

Step 1: Rinse and drain.

Begin by placing the live mussels in a colander under cold running water (tap water). Gently run your fingers over each mussel, removing any visible dirt or debris. Allow the mussels to drain in the colander for a few minutes. You may opt to pick them out of the dirty water by using a slotted spoon.

Step 2: Debeard the mussels.

Most mussels have a ‘beard,’ which is a bundle of byssal threads that the mussel uses to attach itself to surfaces. To debeard mussels, hold a piece in one hand and grip the beard between the thumb and forefinger of your other hand. Give it a firm pull toward the hinge end of the shell. If this does not remove the beard easily, you can gently scrape it with a small knife.

Step 3: Give them a final rinse.

Once the mussels are debearded, give them another quick rinse under cold water. This final rinse will wash away any loose bits that may have come off during the debearding process.

These half shell New Zealand mussels can be served in a variety of ways.

The Importance of Buying From a Reputable Supplier

By purchasing from the right sources, you’re starting on the right foot. When you order your mussels from a trusted fish market or online seafood delivery service, you’re ensuring that you’re getting the best quality and the freshest mussels available.

At Manettas, we take great care in handling and delivering seafood, which means you’re setting the stage for a truly delectable dish.

Preparing a seafood chowder? New Zealand mussel meat is an excellent option.

Don’t Miss Out on Mussels

With cleaned mussels, you can now start planning a delicious seafood meal!

Mussels are a healthy, versatile and tasty seafood choice to add to a wide variety of meals. From simply steaming them, to adding them to a delicious pasta or paella, mussels are a true treasure of the sea.

Restaurant owners can bulk buy black mussels for more savings.