Red Curry Steamed Mussels with Lemongrass
Fresh mussels steamed open in a red curry and coconut broth. Serve with plenty of crusty bread for the sauce.
Made with Thai red curry paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.17 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the mussels in cold water. Discard any that are open and do not close when tapped, and pull off the beards.
3 min - 2
Heat the oil in a large pan with a lid. Fry your ready made Thai red curry paste (see the base recipe) for 1 minute.
1 min - 3
Add the coconut milk, water, fish sauce and lemongrass and bring to a boil.
- 4
Tip in the mussels, cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the pan, until they open.
5 min - 5
Discard any that stay shut. Squeeze in the lime juice.
- 6
Scatter with coriander and chilli and serve in bowls with the broth.
Tips
- Discard mussels that do not open after cooking.
- Buy mussels on the day and keep them in the fridge in a bowl with a damp cloth.
- Serve with gluten free bread if you need it.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. If you have leftovers, chill within 1 hour and use within 1 day, reheating until steaming hot all the way through. Discard any shells that stayed closed.
Questions
Can I use frozen mussels?
Yes, cooked frozen mussels in the half shell can be warmed in the finished broth for 3 minutes.
Where do I buy mussels?
From the fish counter, or in bags in the chilled aisle. Check the use by date.
Can I use clams?
Yes, they cook in the same way in about 5 minutes.
More made with thai red curry paste
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.