Steam mussels covered on high heat briefly (2–3 minutes) and avoid overcooking
Cook mussels covered on high heat for a short time so they steam open without turning tough.
After adding mussels to the pot, cover and cook on high for about 2–3 minutes. Overcooking makes mussels tough and sinewy.
The short version
- Cover and steam on high
- Short cook time prevents toughness
What you need
- pot with lid
What goes wrong
Cooking mussels too long
Steam briefly and stop once they open
Why it works
Mussels cook quickly; high heat and a lid create steam that opens them fast without prolonged heat exposure.
Put it to use
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