Description
Thai Coconut Curry Mussels are a fragrant and flavorful dish featuring fresh mussels steamed in a rich and creamy coconut curry broth. Infused with red Thai curry paste, garlic, ginger, and lime juice, this dish offers a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory tastes ideal for a main course or appetizer. Quick to prepare, it brings exotic Thai flavors to your table in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Mussels and Aromatics
- 2 pounds fresh mussels (cleaned and debearded)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small shallot (thinly sliced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)
Curry Broth
- 2 tablespoons red Thai curry paste
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chicken or seafood broth
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional Garnishes
- Sliced red chili (for extra heat)
- Extra lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare Aromatics: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced shallot, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant and the shallots are softened.
- Add Curry Paste: Stir in the red Thai curry paste and cook for an additional minute. This step blooms the spices, intensifying the curry’s flavor.
- Create the Curry Broth: Pour in the coconut milk, chicken or seafood broth, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Steam the Mussels: Add the cleaned mussels to the simmering broth. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the mussels to steam for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally to redistribute heat and flavors. Cook until the mussels have opened.
- Discard Unopened Mussels: Remove and discard any mussels that did not open during cooking to ensure food safety.
- Finish and Garnish: Stir freshly squeezed lime juice and chopped cilantro into the pot. Serve the mussels hot in bowls with ample broth. Garnish with sliced red chili and extra lime wedges if desired for added flavor and heat.
- Serving Suggestion: Enjoy this dish with crusty bread or steamed jasmine rice to soak up the delicious coconut curry sauce.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of curry paste or add sliced Thai chilies.
- Always use fresh, live mussels; discard any that are cracked or do not close when tapped.
- Shaking the pot while cooking helps the mussels cook evenly and infuses more flavor into the broth.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or jasmine rice to soak up the flavorful broth.
