Smoked bacon is killer in this easy, yet elegant, Asian-inspired Steamed Mussels with Smoky Bacon recipe. This delicious dish is on the table in just 20 minutes!
[This is a paid recipe post. I worked with Hatfield Meats on this blog post.]
Things are getting crazy busy around here, so easy meals are a must in my house! But, easy doesn’t have to mean “ordinary.”
I used Hatfield Hardwood Smoked Bacon in this Steamed Mussels with Smoky Bacon recipe! The smoked bacon really completes the flavors in this dish! This classic bacon is a Hatfield family tradition! I purchased the bacon at my local Publix Super Market.
Serve with a side of crusty French bread for dipping. YUM!
I steamed these mussels in a dip-worthy broth with white wine, Sriracha sauce, lime juice, and ghee (clarified butter). Served this with a side of crusty bread for dipping! So good!
Ingredients you'll need for this steamed mussels recipe:
- Fresh PEI mussels (Available at most supermarkets and seafood shops.)
- Smoked bacon (like Hatfield's Classic Hardwood Smoked Bacon)
- White wine (best to use a dry white wine)
- Shallots and garlic
- Ghee
- Sriracha sauce
- Thai chili peppers
- Lime juice
- Fresh cilantro and parsley
About hatfield quality meats
Since the turn of the 20th century, Hatfield Quality Meats has provided superb and delicious meats to millions of families that simplify life. Servicing pork lovers nationwide, this family-owned operation has remained a leading company in the pork industry. Offering a variety of meats from bacon to succulent hams, Hatfield has a pick for every pork-eater. Hatfield farmers are pork experts who raise their animals without the use of hormones, steroids or growth promotants. Click here to learn more!
Hatfield bacon is now available at Publix Super Markets.
I cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces and then cooked them until crispy. TIP: It's so much easier to cut the bacon when it's frozen!
Where to buy fresh mussels
Fresh mussels are everywhere-- even your local grocery store will carry bags of them in the seafood department. I used Prince Edward Island (PEI) mussels from the Atlantic because they're readily available. I picked mine up at my Publix Super Market, along with the Hatfield Bacon! So convenient!
How to clean mussels
Before you cook the mussels, you want to rinse the shells thoroughly in a collander. Discard any mussels that are open or don’t shut. This means they are no longer alive. Then scrub the mussels with a brush to remove any exterior dirt or sand.
Lastly, you want to remove any thread-like ‘beard’ protruding from the shell. Grab hold and rip it out. (It's easier to grab hold of the beard wearing a rubber glove.) Not all mussels have beards so skip any that don’t.
I first sautéed shallots, garlic, and Thai chili peppers to add flavor to these steamed mussels!
I fancied up these Steamed Mussels with pieces of crispy smoked bacon, and fragrant sautéed veggies, with just the right amount of heat!
OMG, you cannot believe how delicious this seafood dish is, and it's on the table in just 20 minutes! Don't forget to serve this with crusty bread for dipping!
Tips and tricks
- Before you buy the mussels, give them the smell test! The mussels should smell like the ocean – fresh & salty!
- You don't have to eat the mussels as soon as you get home. Depending on the date, you usually can buy and store them in your fridge at home for a few days before eating.
- Freeze the package of bacon before cubing. It's SO much easier to cut when it's frozen! You can also cook the bacon slices and crumble them up.
- It's mandatory to have crusty bread on the side for dipping into the broth! Slices of French bread or sourdough would be perfect!
Want more seafood recipes like this?
- Pan Seared Calamari with Nuoc Cham
- Spicy Scallop Ceviche
- Grilled Baby Octopus with Nuoc Cham
- Salmon Sashimi with Ponzu
- Pan-Seared Scallops with Zucchini Noodles
Steamed Mussels with Smoky Bacon
Smoked bacon is killer in this easy, yet elegant, Asian-inspired Steamed Mussels with Smoky Bacon recipe. This delicious dish is on the table in just 20 minutes!
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 5 ounces smoked bacon (like Hatfield's Classic Hardwood Smoked Bacon)
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
- 1 large Thai chili pepper, seeded and sliced
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- Juice from 1 lime (divided)
- 1 tablespoon ghee (or butter)
- 3 ½ pounds PEI mussels, rinsed, scrubbed, and debearded
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Slices of toasted bread for dipping
Instructions
- Cut the bacon slices into small cubes (it's much easier if the bacon is frozen). Set aside in a small bowl.
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from the pot and drain on paper towels, leaving 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
- On medium heat, sauté the garlic, shallots, and Thai chili pepper until shallots are translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the wine to the pot and simmer until reduced by half. Add in the water, Sriracha sauce, juice from ½ lime, and ghee and stir to combine.
- Turn the heat to high and add in the mussels. Cover the pot and cook for approximately 5 minutes (or when mussels are fully open).
- Before serving, squeeze the other half of lime over the mussels, sprinkle in the bacon pieces, and top with cilantro and parsley. When ready to serve, ladle the broth over the mussels and garnish with more herbs.
- Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- Before you buy the mussels, give them the smell test! The mussels should smell like the ocean – fresh & salty!
- You don't have to eat the mussels as soon as you get home. Depending on the date, you usually can buy and store them in your fridge at home for a few days before eating.
- Freeze the package of bacon before cubing. It's SO much easier to cut when it's frozen! You can also cook the bacon slices and crumble them up.
- It's mandatory to have crusty bread on the side for dipping into the broth! Slices of French bread or sourdough would be perfect!
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Calorie
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 476
- Sugar: 2.6 g
- Sodium: 1406.5 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.1 g
- Protein: 52.1 g
- Cholesterol: 130.1 mg
Keywords: steamed mussels, seafood recipe, steamed mussels with bacon, smoked bacon
Thank you to The Food Group for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.
Jan Groh
I'll be making this next weekend!
Asian Caucasian
Yay! I know you'll love these mussels as much as we did!
Suzy Goldman
Looks awesome. I can't wait to try out this recipe. Every recipe you post, is amazing, Very talented.
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
Awww. You are so sweet! I do hope you'll try this steamed mussels recipe. It's out-of-this-world delicious!
Laurel
Looks yummy! Can’t wait to try it!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
I know you would love it! It has so much flavor in every bite!
Karen Byers
Making this for my guests at the beach next weekend!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
Yay! Hope you all love it as much as we did! Let me know how it turns out.
Gail Weil
Great recipe! It was delicious. Will definitely make again. 👍🏻
Asian Caucasian
So glad you liked it, Gail! We need to make more next time because they went fast!
Felice Myers
Looks so delicious!!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
Words cannot describe how delicious these steamed mussels are! This recipe is on repeat in our house!
Robin Stein
Sounds amazing and can’t wait to give this a try. I’m sure guest will love this dish ♥️
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
We've served this for our guests a few times and they raved! Make extra batches because these steamed mussels are that good!
Debbie Kodish
Can’t wait to try theses!
Asian Caucasian
I think you'll really like these steamed mussels. We went crazy over this at my house!
Joan Carroll
I haven’t tried this yet but mussels in white wine are one of my favorite dishes! Can’t wait to try this with an Asian twist! Thanks!
Asian Caucasian
Can't wait for you to try this too, Joan! It's my new favorite dish!😋
Cindy Beauvoir Green
Wow! I never thought to put bacon in my steamed mussels! I love all the flavors going on in this dish. Can’t wait to try!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian
Thanks, Cindy! These mussels are over the top with flavor! Can't wait to hear how you liked them!
Jodi Sager
I love every recipe you share and this one just made it to the top of my can’t wait to try list. I love the bacon twist.
Asian Caucasian
You're so sweet! This steamed mussels is also at the top of my must-always-make list. It was a huge hit with friends and family!