Fast delivery
Get in as fast as 1 hour
It’s all local
Shop your favorites
Direct chat
Connect with shoppers
Mussels Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to mussels
Mussels are sought after in the culinary world and are served in many restaurants throughout the world. They're not too difficult to prepare and can be enjoyed with your favorite herbs and condiments. Mussels are also rich in nutrients and provide the protein, vitamins C and A, and iron needed for a balanced diet.
The mussel is part of the bivalve family and has a distinct, elongated shell that is not symmetrical like other mollusks'. Usually the exterior shell is a dark black, blue, or brown color, and the most common mussel you will most likely buy in the United States is the blue mussel. This mussel is the most commercially available in the country and is quite commonly found in stores.
In the U.S., we also have the zebra mussel, which is known for its invasive nature; the Capax horse mussel, found in the Pacific Ocean; and the Atlantic ribbed mussel, found from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico. To name a few other mussels, there's the yellow mussel, found from Florida to the Caribbean, the hooked mussel; found from North Carolina to the Caribbean; and the tulip mussel, found from North Carolina to the Caribbean. Mussels live in both saltwater and freshwater ecosystems, although eating freshwater mussels is not very common nowadays. Native Americans still eat freshwater mussels to this day.
Mussels are also known for being great cleaners of the ocean floor. They are so-called filter feeders because they remove bacteria, heavy metals, and toxins. Because they're cleaner fish, it's important to cook mussels thoroughly in order to kill off any bacteria or toxins the mussels have ingested.Â
About mussels
Almost all the mussels that are sold in the United States are cultivated, and they are largely a sustainable seafood. Blue mussels are in season from winter and spring, are smaller but are known for their intense flavor. There are a few essential items to have when cooking mussels. These include some wine to cook with mussels (and to drink with dinner), some parsley for cooking, and lemon for eating. Bread is also a must-have to soak up the nutritious mussel liquid that is produced when cooking.
A nice glass of white wine is a perfect match to drink with any mussel dish you serve up. Crisp wines like Chablis or Muscadet, as well as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon de Touraine are great pairs. A Spanish rosé or Languedoc red is best if the mussels are accompanied by sausage and tomatoes.Â
If you're looking to buy some mussels and a wine to accompany it, head to the Instacart app and select your items to fill your cart. Complete your purchase, and an Instacart shopper will select your items in the store and usually deliver within the same day. You'll save time and money, and can think about how to cook the mussels instead. Â
Mussels cooking tips
Cooking mussels does not require a lot of ingredients as the mussel is the main highlight of the meal. You can steam, grill, or roast mussels, but in order to get the best of flavor from a mussel, it's a good idea to buy cleaned and fresh mussels.
Scrub the shells to remove any grittiness that might have been left over, and throw away any mussels which have an open shell because these are most likely not good to eat. The most common way to cook mussels is by steaming them with a bottle of white wine with a couple of pounds of mussels in a pot. You can also add seasonings like parsley and garlic. You can also use tomato sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce for braising or simmering.
You can also pan roast mussels in a deep pan or cast-iron skillet. Just cook these until the shells open and season with parsley and black pepper. Eat with some lemon juice or whatever condiment you wish. You can also cook the mussels on a hot grill until the shells open up. Serve them in a big bowl with the same pepper, parsley, and some lemon.Â
Mussel chowder is one of the many recipes that allow you to get creative and go beyond the flavors of mussels. A famous recipe popular in Belgium and France is Moules Frites, which is basically steamed mussels served with French fries.Â
Mussels Near Me
Buy your favorite Mussels online with Instacart. Order Mussels from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about mussels
In a 3-ounce serving, there are 146 calories.
It's best to use a saute pan or wide, shallow pot so the mussels have room when cooking and aren't stacked on top of each other.
Discard any mussels that remained closed after cooking.