There’s something truly magical about the aroma of the Mediterranean — the bright scent of fennel, the sweetness of ripe tomatoes, and the briny freshness of the sea. This mussel dish captures all of that in one pot, ready in under 30 minutes.

Whether you’re cooking for a cozy evening at home or entertaining guests, these Mediterranean Mussels with Fennel and Tomato offer a restaurant-quality experience without the fuss. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth, and you’ll have a meal that transports you straight to a seaside café.

Ingredients

• 1000g fresh mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• 250g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 150ml low-sodium vegetable broth
• 15ml extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the mussels: Scrub the shells under cold running water and remove the fibrous beards. Discard any mussels that are broken or remain open when tapped.
2. Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and fennel, cooking for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute more.
3. Build the broth: Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2–3 minutes until they begin to break down. Pour in the vegetable broth, bring to a simmer, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Steam the mussels: Add the mussels, cover, and increase the heat to medium-high. Steam for 4–6 minutes, shaking the pot once or twice, until all mussels open.
5. Finish and serve: Discard any unopened mussels. Stir in parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve immediately, spooning the fragrant broth over the mussels.

Tips & Substitutions

• Swap the broth: For a richer flavor, use a splash of white wine instead of vegetable broth.
• Add depth: Stir in a teaspoon of tomato paste with the tomatoes to intensify the sauce.
• Make it spicy: Amp up the heat with extra red pepper flakes or a dash of harissa.

Nutrition

Calories: 490 kcal per serving

• Fat: 21g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 11g
• Protein: 36g