Moules Marinières, or “sailor-style mussels,” is one of the most beloved seafood dishes in French cuisine. Originating from the coastal regions of Normandy and Brittany, this recipe features fresh mussels gently steamed in a fragrant broth of white wine, garlic, shallots, and herbs. The result is a light yet deeply flavorful dish that showcases the natural brininess of the sea.
What makes Moules Marinières truly remarkable is its simplicity. With just a few high-quality ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a dish that feels both rustic and refined. The mussels are cleaned and debearded, then added to a large pot where shallots and garlic have been gently sautéed in butter or olive oil. A splash of dry white wine—such as Muscadet or Sauvignon Blanc—is poured in, infusing the pot with acidity and aroma as it steams the mussels open.
As the mussels cook, they release their juices into the wine, creating a delicate broth that’s rich in umami and subtly sweet. A touch of cream or butter is often stirred in at the end to round out the flavors, while fresh parsley adds a bright, herbal finish.
Moules Marinières is traditionally served with crusty French bread/baguette for dipping into the broth, though it also pairs beautifully with frites (fries) for a Belgian-style twist. A glass of the same dry white wine used in cooking completes the experience, enhancing the dish’s freshness.
Whether served as a light main course or the centerpiece of a summer seafood dinner, Moules Marinières delivers elegance without effort. It’s a perfect example of how simple ingredients, when treated with care, can result in something extraordinary. Fresh, aromatic, and full of ocean flavor, this dish captures the essence of coastal French cooking in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 kg fresh mussels cleaned and debearded
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 shallots finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté shallots and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the white wine and bring to a boil.
- Add the cleaned mussels to the pot, cover with a lid, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels have opened.
- Discard any mussels that do not open. Stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the mussels hot with crusty bread on the side.
Nutrition
Yum! I followed this to the letter, and it was spot on! Fresh parsley adds so much flavor! Will be making again.
I was skeptical at first since I’ve never cooked mussels before. But it turned out great! Just make sure you don’t overcook them.
I tried this last night and ended up with a desperate kitchen! Wine spilled everywhere! 😅 Still tasted good tho, kinda.
Mussels!? Aren’t those like… shellfish? I don’t eat shellfish, but I do like your style! 😋
Thanks! Yeah, mussels are shellfish, but they’re delicious if you try them! Maybe you can find a substitute? 🤔
This was an amazing recipe! My family loved the mussels! I added a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick.
I’m glad you liked it! The red pepper flakes idea sounds delicious. I might try that next time!
Sounds fancy, but I don’t like mussels. Can’t believe people eat them. 🤢
Mussels are gross!!! How can anybody eat these slimy things? Not for me.
Do I really need that much wine? Seems excessive, not sure about the butter too. Less is more!
Absolutely delicious! My family loved it, and it was so easy to make. I will definitely be making this again!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s one of my favorites too! What kind of bread did you serve with it?
I dunno, mussels kinda creep me out. How can you eat something that looks like that? 🤔
OMG! So yummy! I could eat this every day!
Very easy to make but I don’t like mussels. My husband loved it though! I’ll give it 4 stars for him.
I don’t know about this… I tried it, but my mussels didn’t open. I might’ve done something wrong, but it was disappointing. 🤷♂️
Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Make sure the mussels are really fresh and you should be good on your next try. 🤞
You probably just didn’t cook them long enough! They need a good steam to open up properly. Don’t give up! ⏳
I’m kinda skeptical about using so much wine. Is it really necessary? 🤔
Yummy! 🥰
Great flavors! Paired with some white bread, it’s a perfect meal for summer evenings.
Wow, this is fancy! But I’m not sure about the wine part. Can’t we just do it without it? 😂
Simple and quick! I added some chili flakes for a kick, turned out great.
Never cooked mussels before, but this recipe made it so simple! Turned out great, thanks!
Could you add a bit of cream for a richer sauce? That sounds better to me.
Tasted fantastic! Used shrimp instead of mussels, still awesome!
I tried it, but my mussels didn’t open. Total disaster! What did I do wrong?
Sounds like your mussels were probably dead before cooking! Always check them before you cook. 😟
Mussels? Yuck! Why would anyone eat that? Fishy tastes are gross!
I followed the recipe but found the garlic overpowered the dish. Next time, less garlic for me!
This is hands down the best mussels recipe I’ve ever tried! So flavorful and easy to follow. Will definitely make it again! 🍷
This was decent, but where’s the cream? I thought moules marinières had cream in it! Disappointed.
Actually, traditional moules marinières don’t use cream! It’s all about the broth from the mussels and the wine. Give it a try as is next time!
Sooo good! The white wine made it fabulous. Definitely my new favorite dish to impress guests!
Absolutely delicious! The wine and butter combo is a winner. I’ll definitely be making this again.
I tried this and it was a disaster! The mussels didn’t open and I was left with a pot of sadness. Not making this again.
Delish! I served this to my family and they loved it. The garlic and parsley really make a difference. Also, bread is a must! 😋
Mussels are just gross! My friend loves this dish but I can’t get myself to eat it. Tastes like the ocean. No thanks! 🌊
Mussels yum, but where my garlic bread at? Need more carbs!
I don’t like mussels, the smell was so strong. Yuck!
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The mussels were so fresh and flavorful. I will definitely make it again!
Yum, but I used chicken broth instead of wine because I can’t drink. Still turned out nice!
Instructions were clear, but I messed up. My shellfish is always a bit iffy! Tryin again next time! 🙂
Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Shellfish can be tricky sometimes. Just keep practicing! 🙂
You might’ve cooked them too long or not long enough. Be careful with time next time! Good luck!
I didn’t have wine, used water instead. Worse decision ever. Don’t skip the wine!
Totally agree! The wine really makes a difference. I learned that the hard way too.
LOL, but water’s not that bad, is it? Just gotta spice it up more! 😂
Wow! The mussels turned out amazing! I never knew such a simple recipe could taste so good. A definite 5 stars from me!
I tried this recipe too and it was so easy! My family loved it, thanks for sharing!
This don’t sound right. Isn’t it just steamed mussels? My grandma always made it without all this fuss.
This is the best moules marinières I’ve ever made! Thanks for sharing the recipe! 😊
My mom used to make this, but she never put white wine. Just water. Much better!
Water instead of wine? That’s interesting! I never thought of that. Maybe I’ll try it next time, but I love the flavor the wine adds!
Mussels are weird. I don’t get how people eat them. But my friend loved it.
Mussels are gross. Why would anyone eat these things? Don’t understand the hype.
My mussels didn’t open after cooking! What did I do wrong? This was frustrating.
Oh man, that must suck! But maybe they were already dead before you cooked them? Just a thought…
Did you make sure to clean them properly? Sometimes bad mussels don’t open. It’s important to check them before cooking!
I don’t even like seafood much, but this recipe is pretty good. Might cook it again for my fam.
I don’t know, mussels sound kinda gross to me. I guess if you say it’s good, maybe I’ll give it a try? 🤔
I’m glad to hear you liked it! Mussels are super easy and delicious. Great choice for family dinners!
Wasn’t sure about the whole mussels thing, but these were surprisingly good. Simple instructions too!
Seems too complicated. I just wanna eat, not cook for an hour!
Mmm, love this dish! So easy to prepare and fancy too. My friends were impressed.
This looks so delicious! I gotta try making it for my next dinner party. Thanks for sharing!