Mussels in Black Bean Sauce

If you love restaurant style seafood but do not want to spend all night in the kitchen, this mussels in black bean sauce recipe is exactly the kind of dish to keep in your back pocket. Fresh mussels cook in just a few minutes and absorb a rich, savory sauce made with white wine, black bean sauce, ginger, garlic, peppers and a touch of cream.

The result is bold, slightly spicy, creamy and deeply flavorful, and the entire recipe comes together in about 30 minutes.

Why You Will Love These Mussels

Mussels already have a naturally briny flavor, so they need very little help. Fermented black bean sauce, fresh ginger, garlic and white wine create a savory base, while a small amount of heavy cream smooths everything out at the end.

• Ready in about 30 minutes
• High in protein
• Naturally lower in carbohydrates
• Perfect for entertaining
• Easy enough for a weeknight seafood dinner
• Rich and restaurant style without being complicated

Mussels in Black Bean Sauce Recipe

Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 10 minutes. Total time: 30 minutes. Servings: 4.

Ingredients

• 2 lb fresh mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
• 1/2 jalapeno, diced
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 tablespoon black bean sauce
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or green onion

How to Make Mussels in Black Bean Sauce

1. Clean the mussels. Remove the beards and rinse them well. Discard any mussels with broken shells, and tap any open mussel lightly. If it does not close, discard it.
2. Saute the aromatics. In a large saucepan or deep skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the bell peppers, jalapeno, shallot, garlic and freshly grated ginger. Saute until softened and fragrant.
3. Add the wine. Pour in the white wine and let it simmer and reduce slightly so the flavors concentrate.
4. Add the black bean sauce. Stir it in until it is evenly incorporated into the wine and vegetable mixture.
5. Cook the mussels. Add the cleaned mussels, toss gently with the sauce and cover the pan. Steam for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the shells open.
6. Finish the sauce. Reduce the heat, add the heavy cream and chopped cilantro or green onion, mix gently and serve immediately.

Chef Monika's Tips for Perfect Mussels

Discard unopened mussels. After cooking, any mussels that remain tightly closed should be thrown away.

Do not overcook them. Mussels usually need only 2 to 3 minutes once they begin steaming. When they open, they are essentially done.

Add the cream last. Heavy cream should go in toward the very end of cooking so the sauce does not curdle.

Use fresh mussels and do not skip the ginger. Fresh seafood makes a real difference in texture and flavor, and fresh ginger gives the sauce brightness that works beautifully with fermented black bean sauce.

Are Mussels Keto Friendly?

Mussels are relatively low in carbohydrates and provide protein and minerals. This recipe contains about 8.1 grams of net carbohydrates per serving, primarily from the vegetables, wine and black bean sauce, so it fits comfortably into many moderate low carb meal plans.

If you follow a stricter ketogenic diet, check the carbohydrate content of your particular black bean sauce because brands vary considerably. Serve the mussels on their own or with a low carb vegetable instead of bread.

What Is Black Bean Sauce?

Chinese black bean sauce is typically made with fermented black soybeans, garlic and seasonings. It has an intense salty, savory, deeply umami flavor, and because it is concentrated one tablespoon is enough to transform the cooking liquid into a rich sauce.

What Wine Is Best for Cooking Mussels?

Use a dry white wine that you would actually enjoy drinking, and avoid very sweet wines because they overwhelm the savory black bean sauce.

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Grigio
• Unoaked Chardonnay
• Dry Riesling

What to Serve With Mussels in Black Bean Sauce

For a traditional meal, serve the mussels with crusty bread, steamed jasmine rice, noodles or garlic bread.

• Cauliflower rice
• Sauteed bok choy
• Roasted asparagus
• Zucchini noodles
• Steamed broccoli
• A simple cucumber salad

The sauce is delicious, so choose something that can soak up a little of it.

Nutrition Information

Per serving, based on 4 servings: 241 calories, 11 grams of total fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 9 grams of total carbohydrates, 0.9 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, 8.1 grams of net carbohydrates, 15 grams of protein and 56 milligrams of cholesterol. Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the brands and exact ingredients used.

More Seafood Recipes

If you enjoy this recipe, explore more seafood dishes such as clams in spicy tomato sauce, macadamia nut crusted halibut, Dover sole and prawn and zucchini aglio e olio in The Balanced Plate: Healthy Recipes with Keto Alternatives, which includes more than 100 recipes with practical lower carb alternatives.