Honey Beer Steamed Mussels with Herb Butter Baguettes.
I want to cook you dinner.
But not like DINNER dinner.
Like snacky dinner.
Like a cheese plate and crostinis and a little salad and brownies.
And maybe a gigantic pot of mussels that we drink with the coldest pinot grigio ever. With piles of perfectly toasted bread that is smothered in butter and ideal for dipping in broth.
THESE mussels!
Bacon AND mussels. Together. In a pot! With beer!
I don’t even know what else I want in life. Besides more bread.
One of my favorite recipes from last year? These thai coconut curry mussels. GAH. They are so, so good. So simple. Have ridiculous amounts of flavor and can easily be made to feed a crowd.
So I’ve wanted to do another spin on mussels forrrr ev errr and this is where I ended up. I needed two things: lots of brothy goodness and buttery baguettes. I require bread for dipping. It’s mandatory.
And maybe fries on the side if you’re feeling it. Always feeling it.
Also! What are you making for the super bowl? I don’t even know if I’m watching the super bowl, but but but – here are 200 killer recipes for football food. And tomorrow or early next week I am sharing one heck of a delicious dip.
Delicious. Is delicious SO over? Was it so over in, like, 2005? I don’t know what else to say except for… delectable?
These are SO delectable.

Honey Beer Steamed Mussels with Herb Butter Baguettes
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds mussels
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bottle of your favorite beer
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- herb butter baguettes
- 1 large ciabatta baguette
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup freshly chopped herbs, I used cilantro, basil, thyme and oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon flaked sea salt
Instructions
- Keep the mussels refrigerated until you’re ready to use. Once ready, place them in a large bowl of ice cold water. Scrub the outsides of the mussels and remove the string (or “beard”) by using a towel or paper towel to pull it out. Discard any mussels that have opened already. Keep the mussels in the ice water.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat and add the butter and olive oil. Once it’s melted, stir in the onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 5 minutes, until slightly softened. Add in the beer and honey, stirring to combine. Add the mussels and toss. Cover the skillet and cook just until the mussels open and the beer is simmering, about 5 to 6 minutes. Garnish with the bacon and cilantro. Stir the mussels well so the broth makes it into the shells. Serve immediately with the baguettes.
herb butter baguettes
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spread the softened butter on the baguettes. Cover the butter with the assorted herbs (use whatever herbs you like!). Bake until the baguettes and warm and golden and toast, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the flaked salt. Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!

I mean really. Bacon.
32 Comments on “Honey Beer Steamed Mussels with Herb Butter Baguettes.”
I could not get enough of your photos! These flavours are so out there but I simply have to try it! Mussels are not my seafood of choice but could I use tiny clams here?
I read this as “honey beer”, which would obviously work as well. What kind of beer did you end up using and what would you recommend as good options?
Normally I’d stick to the tried and true white wine, garlic, and butter type preparation, but I’m curious as to how this turns out.
Herb butter baguettes sound delicious! I could probably eat them for every meal, not just a snacky dinner :)
That’s the one thing I can get my kids to eat ,beside chicken nuggets!?
Go figure. I’m off to the fish market!!!!!
Snacky dinners are just the best. The more munchies, the merrier, especially when mussels + bread + beer + bacon are involved!
ohhhh lady – you can make me dinner ANY night – I’ll bring the wine ;)
These photos are everything. Mussels are on my to-do list for 2015, and I may have to give these a shot. They look so good!
These look absolutely delicious (there, I said it too). GORGEOUS photos. I absolutely cannot have mussels without some sort of carb for dunking. Those baguettes…dear LORD.
These.look.yummy. I’m such a big fan of mussels. We have a restaurant that serves all you can eat mussels and fries on weeknights. Hello! Yum. Have you ever tried ”Madagascar mussels”? I think they should be your next mussel inspiration. Think cream, cognac, green peppercorn (from Madagascar, hence the name)…
Good grief that sounds amazing. Mussels are already good but steaming them with beer , bacon and honey? Genius!
I am making bacon-wrapped shrimp, tahini-glazed chicken wings, and mini brownies with salted caramel frosting. Also, maybe these mussels!!!
Snacky dinners hold a special place in my heart. Especially when there’s mussels. And beer. And bread. OH MY!
I want to come to your dinner party!
These look fab! I’ve never actually made mussels but I’ve been dying to try them!
I freaking love everything you do. These look amazing!
Mussels and french fries are so good but I would totally swap the fries for the bread. This meal never seems like much but I always leave satisfied.
id love you to cook me dinner! You had me at cheese and crostini :)
Well, at least we can agree that I’d like you to cook me a snacky dinner too! I just had a couple of good friends over for a “delicious” snacky dinner…even better was that there were leftovers for another snacky dinner the next day…So I’m up for this delectable meal…perfect for a Friday night!
It looks amazzzingggggg! So delicious! Need to try this recipe.
http://www.trangscorner.com
I’ll be right over!!! YUM!
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Oh my gosh, I die! I need this in my life. Somebody, please bring me some mussels!
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I made this last night for my boyfriend and his parents and it was a HIT! I’ve never made mussels before, but they were delicious. The only change I made was adding some shrimp. The broth was delicious, we were all sopping it up w/ the tasty herb bread. Perfect mixture of briny and sweet. I made this w/ your Roasted Corn Caesar Salad, which was also tasty.
Thanks AGAIN!
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