The Drunken Mussel Is an Irish Favourite

Dive into the rich, soulful flavors of Ireland with "The Drunken Mussel Is an Irish Favourite," a dish that pairs succulent fresh mussels with the deep, robust notes of Irish stout for a truly unforgettable dining experience. This quick and easy recipe strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort—featuring a velvety butter and olive oil base, aromatic garlic and shallots, and a hint of lemon zest for brightness. Fresh thyme and parsley add herbal complexity, while an optional splash of heavy cream transforms the stout-infused broth into a luscious treat. Ready in just 30 minutes, this crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for cozy gatherings or an impressive weeknight meal. Don’t forget to serve it with crusty bread to mop up every last drop of the flavorful broth! Perfectly optimized for seafood lovers and Irish cuisine enthusiasts, this recipe is your gateway to savoring the heartwarming spirit of the Emerald Isle.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh mussels
• 1 cup Irish stout (e.g., Guinness)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 medium shallots (finely chopped)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 sprigs thyme (fresh sprigs)
• 1 lemon (juiced and zested)
• 0.25 cup heavy cream (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 loaf crusty bread (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the mussels under cold water, scrubbing the shells and debearding them. Discard any mussels that remain open after tapping lightly.

Step 2

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until melted and foamy.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and chopped shallots to the pot and sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.

Step 4

Pour in the Irish stout and stir in the fresh thyme sprigs, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5

Add the cleaned mussels to the pot, stirring to coat them in the aromatic stout broth.

Step 6

Cover the pot with a lid and steam the mussels for 5–7 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally. The mussels are done when they all open—discard any that remain closed.

Step 7

Quickly stir in the chopped parsley, lemon juice, and lemon zest. For a creamier broth, stir in the optional heavy cream at this point.

Step 8

Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the thyme sprigs before serving.

Step 9

Transfer the mussels and broth to a large serving bowl. Serve immediately with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1788.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3312.7

Total Fat 120.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 644.9mg	0%
Sodium 6523.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 292.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.6g	0%
Total Sugars 12.2g
Protein 255.7g	0%

Vitamin D 815.6IU	0%
Calcium 871.5mg	0%
Iron 49.1mg	0%
Potassium 4105.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.1%

Protein: 31.2%

Carbs: 35.7%