The 10+ Best Side Dishes For What To Serve With Mussels
Mussels are a type of shellfish that have plenty of side dishes that they can work with. These bivalves are known for their slightly salty taste and firm, chewy texture.

There is little meat in each shell, so you aren’t going to get a large meal out of a full plate, even if it looks like a lot. This is where a side dish can come in handy since it will help to compliment the meal.
There are plenty of great sides for mussels that range from salty to nutty. Whatever you are looking for, there is a great side dish that compliments mussels out there for you.
The Best Side Dishes For Mussels: From Garlic Bread To Asparagus
1. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is one of the easiest side dishes to prepare on this list.
Simply slice up a loaf of French bread, spread some garlic, butter, and olive oil, and then bake for however long you think is appropriate.
Cooking longer will yield a more crunchy side.
This bread dish can be a great accompaniment to mussels because of the savory flavor garlic bread brings.
Additionally, you can use the garlic bread to soak up the broth or sauce left over once you have finished your mussels.
2. French Fries
French fries are just one of those dishes that go well alongside plenty of meals. Fries have a salty taste and soft texture that can contrast mussels well.

If you want a little more seasoning than the standard salt that is added to fries, you can try sprinkling them with other spices such as cayenne pepper or garlic powder.
This will create a whole new taste that will make your fries stand out from the kind you can get from a fast food joint.
3. Green Salad
A normal green salad can make for a great healthier option to go with your mussels.
This classic side is often made of different types of lettuce and spinach, which will give a nice, crisp dish.
If you want to change up the taste a bit, try adding in some new veggies to add an array of fresh flavors and textures.
Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and bell pepper are just a few of the great options you can add in.
You can also try adding in a dressing or vinaigrette to add a sweet twist to your salad. No matter how you like your salad, it will make a fantastic accompaniment to your mussels.
4. Asparagus
Asparagus is a great vegetable side dish that will pair well with the taste of mussels. This veggie has a nutty taste and is just slightly bitter.
There are two great ways to choose from when preparing asparagus. The first is to boil the stalks in water, resulting in a mushy, almost creamy texture.
The second option is to bake it, causing it to be slightly crispier with a smokey taste. You can add some salt and parmesan to both options to give this excellent side even more flavor.
5. Pasta With Marinara Sauce
Pasta comes in many lengths and shapes, from long and thin angel hair pasta to shorter and round ditalini.
All of these types of pasta have a similar taste, and when paired with marinara sauce they can make for a fantastic side dish to go with mussels.

The richness of the sauce pairs well with the savory taste of mussels. Some recipes for mussels have them baked in a white wine sauce which tastes great when combined with marinara.
If you want a little more flavor, you can always prepare your pasta with fresh grated parmesan or cherry tomatoes. Otherwise, this is a fantastic dish to serve with mussels.
6. Crusty Bread
A crusty bread can pair well with mussels as it can mop up any white sauce and broth from your mussels that is left once you’ve finished, just like you can with garlic bread.
The difference between these two breads are the taste and texture.
As the name suggests, crusty bread is a bit more crunchy and is a bit more firm. While it may be a little harder to bite into, this type of bread is just as capable at getting at those juices.
One of the most popular types of crusty bread is a French baguette, but there are other options with different flavors like an earthy rye bread.
All of these loafs can be the perfect addition along with mussels.
7. Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries are a slightly sweeter alternative to the normal french fry. Since mussels also have a slightly sweet taste, these two can pair well.

If you want a good condiment to dunk your sweet potato fries into, you can try a horseradish sauce.
This dunk is more bitter and will contrast your sweet fries without taking away from the richness of mussels.
8. Risotto
Risotto is a creamy rice side dish that pairs well with mussels. It has a subtle flavor that goes great with seafood, which has a bit of a distinct salty flavor.
While risotto doesn’t have a particularly strong flavor, you can prepare it with different types of seasoning to pack in the flavor.
Try adding some saffron and fennel or even just some simple salt and pepper for a creamy and flavorful side to your steamed mussels.
9. Sautéed Spinach
Sautéed spinach is creamy with a mild taste. Typically this side dish can be a little bland, but you can mix it with other ingredients to make a fantastic side dish.
You can try mixing it with some butter sauce for a nice buttery taste or some parsley and garlic for a more pronounced and savory taste.
No matter how you prepare your spinach, it will make for a great side to mussels.
The briny taste of mussels will be absorbed by the spinach, only serving to enhance the flavor of the leafy greens.
10. Potato Leek Soup
For a great side soup option, serve mussels with a bowl of potato leek soup. This option is a great side dish for mussels because of its creamy texture and flavorful taste.

Potatoes have a savory taste, while leeks will make this dish slightly sweeter. This wonderful combination makes for a great side dish to go along with mussels.
11. Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is best if you are looking for a crisp side dish option to go with your mussels.
This salad is made up of crisp lettuce and crunchy croutons, creating a nice contrast to the chewier mussels.
If you want your salad to be a little sweeter, then you can add a dressing to elevate the flavor like you can do with most salads.
This potential for flavor makes Caesar salad a great option to serve with mussels.
Finding The Best Side Dishes To Serve With Mussels
Serving side dishes for mussels may seem like a tricky task at times. There isn’t much meat to mussels, so it may seem like they should be a side dish for a different meal.

However, there are plenty of suitable side dishes that can elevate your steamed seafood into a fantastic meal.
If you are ever wondering what to serve as your side dish, you should consider how your mussels will be prepared.
Mussels are often served in a tomato sauce or white wine sauce, so try and consider which side dishes would go best with whatever sauce you have.
No matter how you eat mussels, there are many side dishes that will complete your meal, so don’t be afraid to try them and make your meal complete.

Get the scoop on more like this: