Mussels Thai Style will be the star of your table, whether served with rice, noodles or even as a side! Made with delectable Canadian mussels and seasoned in a flavourful Thai-style broth, this super easy Thai seafood recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish.
About Thai Cooking
Thai cuisine is one of the worldโs most flavourful and distinct. Iโve always been a huge fan, and a recent visit to Thailand has me hungering for more. We were able to take a Thai cooking class while there, and we learned that almost all Thai dishes have 4 balanced elements. Those are: salty, sour, sweet, and spicy. The typical ingredients for that balance are:
- Salty: Fish sauce, soy sauce
- Sour: Rice vinegar, lemon, or lime juice. (If adding the sour aspect while cooking, use the vinegar, and then use lemon or lime for a finished dish.)
- Sweet: Typically palm or coconut sugar
- Spicy: Chilies or chile paste
In addition, Thai cooks also use ginger, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, lemongrass, peanuts, and garlic for many of their dishes. Also, galangal, which looks similar to ginger, but has a very different taste, is a key ingredient that gives Thai dishes that distinct flavour. Hereโs more info on galangal: Ginger vs Galangal.
What are Mussels?
Iโm cooking with Blue Mussels for my Mussels Thai Style recipe, which are the most common mussels for eating. Mussels are bivalve, with a hinged shell. They grow along northern coastal regions on rocky shores, by attaching themselves to rocks, using a muscular foot. They are also cultivated in many northern hemisphere countries. Mussels are delicious and super easy to cook. Also, they are pretty economical in comparison to other seafood.
Here's What You Need to Make Mussels Thai Style
- Thai red curry paste: Most Thai curry pastes, (and in fact, most Thai recipes) are gluten-free, but if it is a concern, be sure to check the label before buying.
- Fresh blue mussels: Mussels, (and most shellfish) are fairly high in sodium, so be sure to use low sodium or no salt added stock.
- Coconut sugar: Brown sugar can be substituted for coconut sugar.
- Vegetable stock low sodium or no salt added: Chicken or fish stock can be substituted for vegetable stock.
- Fresh limes: Plenty of lime juice really makes this dish extra flavourful, so serve with lots of wedges.
- Additional ingredients: Minced ginger, minced garlic cloves, chopped cilantro, and fish sauce
How to Make Mussels Thai Style, Step By Step
What I love about this dish, first, is how simple it is! Just some stock, simmered with Thai flavours, and fresh, local mussels. Second, It has all of the flavour elements of a delicious Thai dish. Finally, itโs delicious and nutritious.
Step 1: Sautรฉ Stock and Seasonings
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine stock, curry paste, ginger, garlic, fish sauce, and sugar. Bring to a boil.
Step 2: Add and Cook Mussels
Add mussels to the pot, cover, and cook until mussels are open, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve Mussels Thai Style
Remove from heat, sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges
Make Sure Your Mussels are Fresh
Fresh mussels have a clean, fresh ocean smell, and wonโt smell fishy. If any of your mussels are open before cooking, tap the shell with a spoon. The shell should close, but if not, discard. Give your mussels a good rinse before cooking. After cooking, discard any mussels that donโt open after 5 minutes.
Mussel Nutrition
Mussels are very nutritious. They are an excellent source of iron and Vitamin B12 (higher than beef) and a good source of zinc. In addition, they are also high in protein, heart-healthy unsaturated fats, and low in calories.
Choose Sustainable Seafood
When buying any seafood, be sure to look for the Ocean Wiseยฎ label to ensure that your choice is sustaining the health of our oceans. Check out these other sustainable seafood recipes, too: Spanish Fish Stew, Pan Seared Scallops in Chardonnay Butter Sauce,ย Blackened Cod ย or Cajun Crab Cakes.
If you love Thai food, you might also want to check out Thai Red Curry Chicken Soup, or Thai Peach Chicken.
Recipe
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Mussels Thai Style
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable stock low sodium or no salt added
- 3 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
- 2 tablespoon ginger minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 lb fresh blue mussels
- 2 limes cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine stock, curry paste, ginger, garlic, fish sauce, and sugar. Bring to a boil.
- Add mussels to the pot, cover, and cook until mussels are open, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges
Notes
- Mussels, (and most shellfish) are fairly high in sodium, so be sure to use a low sodium or no salt added stock.
- Chicken or fish stock can be substituted for vegetable stock.
- Plenty of lime juice really makes this dish extra flavourful, so serve with lots of wedges.
- Most Thai curry pastes are gluten-free, but if it is a concern, be sure to check the label before buying.
- Brown sugar can be substituted for the coconut sugar.
Kim - The Puffy Biscuit
What a great idea to take a cooking class while you were visiting. Such a great way to ensure that you bring the flavours home with you.
These look so delicious. I love mussels and I know they are easy to cook and yet I have never tried to make them. Pinning so that I have it when I do!
Colleen
Hi Kim, I think a cooking class is a must for travel from now on! These mussels are delicious and easy, so I know you will love them!
Denise
The flavors sound amazing! This is a wonderful dish for those who love mussels for sure!
Colleen
Thanks Denise!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Mussels are one of my favourite appetizers to order when we go to restaurants, but I've never cooked them at home. The Thai flavours in this recipe really make me want to give them a try!
Colleen
Hi Leanne, I think that once you cook mussels at home, you will prob never order them in a restaurant again! I really do hope that you give this crazy delish recipe a try. ๐
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli
Mussels are so great and underrated. Add the beautiful Thai flavors and I'm sure this dish is the bomb. Nice that you took a cooking class in Thailand, what an experience!
Colleen
I agree that mussels are underrated! But yes, I would say that this dish is the bomb. ๐ Cooking classes in other countries are always such a great experience.
Sabrina
This recipe is EVERYTHING I love! Thai Curry and sustainable Canadian seafood and quick and easy too! Thanks for this easy to follow yummy recipe!
Colleen
You're so welcome, Sabrina. I'm sure you will love these mussels. Enjoy!
Kristen
Colleen Iโm so pumped to make this sometime this week. I absolutely love that you made this Thai style - those flavors are incredible together. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Colleen
You're so welcome, Kristen! I'm sure you will love these mussels and how easy this dish is to make. Enjoy!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
These look delicious! I love mussels and Thai flavours are totally my jam! look forward to trying these!
Colleen
Sounds like you will definitely love these, Carrie! Enjoy!
Jacquelyn Hastert
I love mussels and anything Thai, therefore, I know this will be perfect for me. I love the curry flavored broth they are served in.
Colleen
Jacquelyn, mussels and Thai are really perfect together, and the broth is so flavourful. Enjoy!
Elaine Benoit
Wow! I am drooling over these mussels! I love them and I love Thai food! What a great combination and I literally can't wait to make them. Hubby is going to be happy when I do make this, for sure!
Colleen
Hi Elaine! These mussels are definitely drool worthy. ๐ I think you and hubby are going to love them. Enjoy!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
If you know me at all, you'll know that I ADORE Thai. I've never cooked with mussels but I thoroughly enjoy eating them. I think I'd really like this. Maybe I'll try it out for my next date night with the hubs!
Colleen
Katherine, if you adore Thai, and thoroughly enjoy eating mussels, then this is the perfect dish for you! And, it's a perfect date night dish, too. Enjoy!
Elaine
I love mussels, we always have a fresh local supply of them, but for some reason I don't cook them very often. Your recipe has inspired me! Thanks! Love these flavours!
Colleen
You're so welcome, Elaine! Of course you would have a fresh local supply of mussels! I'm kind of in love with cooking with them right now! Enjoy.
Monica
Such great flavors in this mussels dish! And it's so easy to prep! I used to be intimidated by mussels but so glad I moved past that, because they make such a wonderful dinner, and are really fun to make with bold flavors like this!
Colleen
Hi Monica. I used to feel the same way about shellfish in general, but I realize now that it's one of the easiest things to cook, and they do make a wonderful dinner.
Courtney
This is such a great dish! I love everything from the flavours to the ease of cooking. Thank you for sharing!
Colleen
Thanks Courtney! Great flavours and ease of cooking are the best combo. ๐
Tara
That curry flavored broth sounds absolutely incredible. Definitely perfect for pairing with the mussels. I love how easy it is too.
Colleen
Hi Tara, Thai flavours really are incredible with mussels. And yes, so easy to make this!
Kelly Anthony
Your pictures really highlight your mussels thai style. I think it is so fun that you took a cooking class while on your trip. Sounds like the perfect trip.
Colleen
Thanks so much Kelly! The cooking class was really fun, and one of the highlights of the trip for sure!
Edyta
I love mussels and Thai cuisine, so this awesome dish is so my kinda dinner. Super delicious!
Colleen
Hi Edyta, If you love mussels and Thai cuisine, you will for sure love this dish! Enjoy!