Pair your sweet and meaty mussels with these flavorful side dish ideas for a hearty meal. For a quick and easy dinner, look no further than mussels. Done in just 1 to 2 minutes, they’re a breeze to cook and affordable, to boot. They’re also wonderfully sweet and briny with a hint of mushroom-like flavor. They’re very mild, which makes them a perfect addition to soups, salads, and pasta. If you’re looking for creative ways to serve mussels for lunch or dinner, I have you covered. From vegetables to spaghetti to baguettes, this round-up of recipes is all you’ll need.
1. Bread
Mussels are all-protein, so if you want a hearty meal, pair them with carbs. Bread is a perfect candidate, especially if the mussels are cooked in a rich sauce. This bread recipe uses beer to make the bread rise and honey to give it flavor. There’s no yeast involved, so you won’t have to worry about kneading and rolling.
2. French Fries
I’m sure you don’t need any convincing, but French fries make a fantastic side to mussels, and any dish, for that matter. This Popeye’s copycat has the perfect Cajun seasoning coating the fries, such that they’re extra crispy and flavorful. Also, they’re baked, not fried! With this recipe, you can enjoy amazing French fries minus the guilt.
3. Saffron Rice
Another fantastic source of carbs is rice. You can’t go wrong with a simple bowl of steamed rice, but you can also take it a step further by adding saffron. Besides the vibrant color and heavenly aroma, saffron also gives the rice a nice, buttery flavor.
4. Garlic Bread
Mussels pair well with garlic and bread, so it only makes sense to serve them with garlic bread! Smother sliced French bread with garlic and butter and bake until golden. Garlic and butter make it so irresistible! The crustiness also adds a lovely texture. Also, the smell? Delightful!
5. Sweet Potato Fries
If you like a sweeter version of French fries, go for sweet potatoes! This alternative is just as insanely addictive. Besides the sweetness, sweet potatoes also offer a mild earthy flavor. Once baked, they’ll get that lovely crisp-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside quality.
6. Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges
Potato wedges are just like fries, only thicker. If you want more potato goodness in every bite, potato wedges are the way to go! Apart from the lovely crisp and tender consistency, these wedges are also packed with flavor from garlic, parmesan, and Italian herbs.
7. Toasted Baguette
Mussels pair really well with crusty bread, and baguettes are another ideal candidate. Top these bite-sized munchies with mussels, and voila, you’ll have the perfect appetizer. This recipe is so easy, you’ll be done before you know it. Just 15 minutes from start to finish!
8. Tomato Sauce
Mussels taste even greater in a rich broth or sauce. Try cooking them with this tomato sauce, and I guarantee you they’ll disappear in minutes. Sure, it’s a lot easier to buy a jar of tomato sauce, but making your own means you’ll get to adjust the flavors to your liking. Want a tarter flavor? Add tomatoes. Want it, extra sweet? Put more sugar! Whatever you do, you can’t go wrong.
9. Horseradish Sauce
If you’re a fan of rich and creamy sauces with a bit of a kick, go for horseradish. This sauce definitely packs a punch! The addition of vinegar cuts through the richness of the sauce, giving you a well-balanced flavor. Add as much or as little horseradish to suit your taste.
10. Potato Leek Soup
Potatoes and leeks together create the richest, creamiest, heartiest soup! This French recipe is welcome in my household any time, any day. It’s such a flexible recipe you can add any topping you can think of. I’m talking bacon, vegetables, and croutons! Or, cook it with mussels for a thick, briny, chowder-esque treat!
11. Roasted Broccoli
Vegetables are another great choice for mussels. Mussels and broccoli both have a fresh flavor, making them an excellent pair. No need to think of complex ways to prepare broccoli. Just season it with salt and pepper and bake it in olive oil. It’s simple, yet spectacular!
12. Fennel Salad
Fennel salad is another simple vegetable dish that goes really well with mussels. The combination of cucumber and fresh dill makes such a crunchy and delightful salad! The dressing is a simple olive oil and lemon juice mixture seasoned with salt and pepper. Yum.
13. Tomato Salad
For a light meal, pair your mussels with this tomato salad. Fresh and juicy tomatoes with red onions and herbs make a colorful and flavorful side dish. Dressed with olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar and olive oil, it’s a delicious, refreshing dish that’s perfect for summer.
14. Jicama Salad
Crunchy jicama, juicy cucumber, sweet mangoes, and rich avocados have varying flavors and textures, but together, they create a beautiful symphony. Coated in olive oil and lime, it’s another light and refreshing salad that goes really well with mussels.
15. Roasted Asparagus
Crunchy roasted asparagus is a great accompaniment to soft and chewy mussels. It’s also a breeze to make. With a sprinkle of parmesan and pepper and a dash of lemon, you can turn the humble asparagus into a bright and flavor-packed side dish.
16. White Wine Sauce
This white wine sauce is simple, yet it’s bursting with flavor. White wine, olive oil, and butter – just the list of ingredients alone tells you how good this sauce is. This sauce is so versatile you can use it to coat pasta, salads, and, you guessed it — mussels.
17. Spaghetti
Spaghetti is always a pretty epic dish. Spaghetti for dinner is always a treat! Do you know what makes it even more amazing? Mussels! Adding this sweet and briny shellfish gives any pasta more flavor and character. Try it now and thank me later.
18. Green Salad
It’s nutritious, delicious, and easy to make. Green salad is every weight watcher’s dream! Let’s be honest, a salad isn’t the most exciting thing on the menu. But throw in some mussels in there, and you’ll have a side dish that even salad-haters will enjoy.
19. Roasted Artichokes
Artichokes may seem bland and boring, but this recipe transforms the humble veggie into a stunning, irresistible side dish. Roasting artichokes significantly enhances their flavor. Topped with capers and a garlic vinaigrette, they become 10 times more appetizing.
20. Angel Hair Pasta
Thin angel hair pasta is tossed in a mixture of olive oil, butter, parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh herbs. How marvelous! Throw some mussels into the mix, and voila! You’ll have an even more stunning seafood pasta. Click on a star to rate it!
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