Carrabbas Mussels in White Wine Sauce is an appetizer you can easily recreate at home. Everyone loves the appetizers Carrabbas serves.
One of Carrabba’s Italian restaurant’s most famous appetizer menu items is their mussels in white wine sauce. You can make these at home they are easy to make. Mussels are sold in many large grocery stores. The ingredients for this dish are easy to find.
How to Select Fresh Mussels
Mussels are a critical part of this dish. There are a few tips for selecting mussels. Mussels should be sold in mesh bags, or loose on the ice, or in a highly chilled environment. They should smell like the ocean.
Mussels should be moist and not dried out when you purchase them. From my days in working in the grocery store business, I learned the seafood department should smell like the ocean, not spoiled fish.
When you purchase your mussels you should remove them from the wire mesh and place them in a bowl. You should cover the mussels with a damp kitchen towel or paper towel. They should be cooked within a day or two. If any water collects at the bowl it should be discarded daily.
How to Serve Carrabas Mussels in White Wine Sauce
I would definitely serve these mussels with some crusty bread as you won’t want to miss any of savory sauce. A glass of sauvignon blanc would go so well with these mussels. Mussels this tasty are bound to become one of your favorite recipes.
You can also serve mussels with french fries. It is a classic pairing in many French restaurants. You will see it on the menu as Moules Frites.
Carrabbas Mussels in White Wine Sauce can be used as an appetizer or a main dish. If you enjoy this appetizer you may enjoy these other copycat recipes from Carrabbas.
Carrabbas Chicken Bryan
Carrabbas Italian Butter
Carrabbas Sausage and Lentil Soup
Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a popular chain of restaurants many are found in Texas. Their fare is similar to Macaroni Grill.
Carrabbas Mussels in White Wine Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 cups mussels
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoons pernod (licorice- flavored liqueur from France)
- 1 to 2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Lemon Butter Sauce
- 2 tablespoons clarified butter start with 4 ounces
- 2 tablespoons garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons onion chopped
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
Instructions
- Soak mussels in cold water for several minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and remove "beard" (the little tuft of fibers protruding from the shell), either with a sharp knife or by pulling on it with a damp cloth. Rinse mussels again in cold water.
- Heat olive oil in a 10-inch skillet; over medium heat add mussels. Cover with another 10-inch skillet or lid and cook until shells begin to open about 2 minutes. Remove top and add onion and garlic and toss.
- Cover pan again and cook for 1 minute. Remove top and add Pernod, basil, lemon juice, and lemon butter sauce. Return to flame for 30 to 45 seconds with the top of the skillet. Discard any mussels that did not open. Serve in a deep bowl. LEMON Simmer 2 to 3 minutes to reduce liquid. Remove from heat and swirl in cold butter until sauce is smooth and emulsified.
Butter Sauce Recipe
- BUTTER SAUCE: 2 tablespoons clarified butter (you'll need about 1/2 stick butter; directions follow) 2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow onion 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons dry white wine Kosher salt White pepper 2 tablespoons cold butter.
- To clarify butter: Melt 1/2 stick butter over low heat. When melted, remove from heat and set aside for several minutes to allow the milk solids to settle to the bottom. Skim the clear (clarified) butter from the top and discard sediment. (This can be done ahead.)
- To make the sauce: Heat clarified butter, add onion and garlic and saute until transparent. Add lemon juice and white wine and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Holly Darrah
Which Label Dry White wine did you use?
Liz Nelson
These were fabulous! My friends absolutely loved them! I will be making them again!