Garlic Butter Mussels Appetizer That Impresses Recipe
This Garlic Butter Mussels appetizer is a delectable dish perfect for impressing guests. Fresh mussels are steamed and then topped with a savory garlic butter mixture featuring Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a hint of lemon zest, then broiled to golden perfection. Serve immediately with crusty bread for a delightful starter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Seafood, American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Mussels
- 2 pounds Mussels, Fresh and tightly closed
For the Garlic Butter
- 4 tablespoons Butter, Unsalted
- 4 cloves Garlic, Fresh and minced
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated (can substitute with Romano)
- 2 tablespoons Parsley, Fresh and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest (can substitute with vinegar)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Clean the Mussels: Rinse the mussels thoroughly under cold running water, removing any dirt, sand, or debris. Discard any mussels that are cracked or open as they may not be safe to eat.
- Steam the Mussels: Add ¼ cup of water to a large pot and bring to a simmer. Place the cleaned mussels in the pot, cover, and steam for 3-4 minutes until the mussels open up, signaling they are cooked.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the unsalted butter, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Arrange Mussels for Broiling: Remove the steamed mussels from the pot, discard any empty shells, and gently loosen the mussels from their bottom shells. Arrange the mussels on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Apply Garlic Butter and Broil: Spoon the prepared garlic butter mixture generously over each mussel. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 2-4 minutes or until the garlic butter is bubbling and the tops turn a golden color.
- Serve Immediately: Remove the mussels from the oven, garnish if desired, and serve right away with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful garlic butter sauce.
Notes
- Ensure mussels are fresh and tightly closed before cooking to avoid any food safety issues.
- Discard any mussels that do not open after steaming as they may be spoiled.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and Parmesan to your taste preferences.
- Use a high-quality fresh parsley and freshly grated cheese for the best flavor.
- Serve immediately as mussels can become rubbery if left to sit too long.
