How to store fresh mussels in the fridge for optimum flavour

You've just bought a kilogram of fresh mussels, but you're not sure how to keep them tasty and safe to eat? Don't worry, I've got some unbeatable tips for storing your mussels in the fridge! Since mussels are fragile, you need to take particular care when storing them to avoid any risk of food poisoning. As you'll see, it's not as complicated as all that - you just need to follow a few basic rules.

How to store fresh mussels?

For optimum preservation of fresh mussels bought from your fishmonger, we recommend that you eat them as quickly as possible, ideally the same day or within 24 hours maximum. But if you really need to keep them for longer, here's how.

Preparation before storage

As soon as you buy them, it's vital to check that your mussels are fresh. Make sure they're not open or cracked. A good tip: ask your fishmonger to clean them properly. You'll save time and be sure they're ready to store.

Once home, sort the mussels to remove any that have died by placing them in cold water. Mussels that float? Straight into the bin! As for the rest, remove the sand and filaments, but only clean them thoroughly before cooking or freezing. And above all, don't leave them to soak in water!

Fridge storage

To keep your mussels fresh for a day or two, forget the plastic bag. Wrap them in a damp cloth, not too tightly, and place them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge. Why the crisper? It's the least cold area and has the highest humidity, perfect conditions for mussels.

Be careful not to put them in an airtight container and, above all, never put them in a vat filled with salt water. This could kill them and make them unfit for consumption. Mussels can be kept in the fridge in a damp cloth for up to 48 hours.

Can you freeze mussels?

Do you have excess mussels and don't want to waste them? Don't worry, it's perfectly possible to freeze musselsBut there is a better way of doing it to preserve flavour and texture.

Freezing cooked mussels

The best solution for freezing is to cook the mussels first, then remove them from their shells. Place them in a freezer bag or airtight container and cover with their cooking juices or lemon juice. Using this method, you can keep the mussels in the freezer for up to three months.

To defrost them, take them out of the freezer and leave them to defrost slowly in the fridge. This will preserve all their flavour and nutritional properties. Mussels should not be eaten raw after 24 hours in the fridge, so if you have any cooked mussels left over, consider freezing them as a viable option.

Respect consumption dates

If you buy packaged mussels, it is vital to scrupulously respect the use-by date indicated on the packaging. Once this date has passed, the risk of food poisoning increases considerably.

Pitfalls to avoid

Here's a fun fact: we often tend to wrap our seafood in airtight bags, just like our doggies. Not a good idea! Avoid mussels, as they breathe and need to drain off excess liquid.

Too much humidity

Another common mistake is to place your mussels in a tub filled with salt water. This could actually kill them and alter their flavour. Instead, use a simple damp cloth to maintain the right level of humidity without drowning your precious bivalves.

Consumption times

Another tip: eat the mussels as soon as you buy them so that they are as fresh as possible. Don't put off cooking them for too long, and don't take any risks by keeping them for longer than 48 hours, even in the fridge.

Method	Shelf life	Conditions
Fridge (wet laundry)	Maximum 48 hours	Vegetable tray, non-hermetic
Freezer (cooked mussels)	3 months	Airtight container with cooking juices or lemon juice
Raw mussels	24 hours	Wrap in a damp cloth, refrigerate

With these tips, you can be sure that your mussels will stay fresh and tasty. So you can enjoy them with complete peace of mind, knowing that you've taken care to preserve them properly. And that's a must when you're a big animal lover like me, concerned about the well-being of every living thing, even little bivalves!