If you prefer, you can store the mussels in a colander on top of a dish. This will allow any liquid produced by the mussels to drain off. [2] X Research source Don’t store your mussels in a closed container or plastic bag. They need to be in an open container in order to breathe.
You can help keep them chilled by putting a zipper-top bag of ice on top of the mussels underneath the cloth or paper towel. [4] X Research source Don’t let the ice come into direct contact with the mussels, however.
Take care not to let your mussels get frosty, since this will kill them. The optimal storage temperature is between 39 °F (4 °C) and 46 °F (8 °C). [7] X Research source
If you store your mussels in a colander, empty the tray or dish underneath regularly to prevent a buildup of liquid that could potentially overflow and leak out into your refrigerator.
Throw away any mussels that have been in your fridge for longer than 4 days.
Wait on cleaning and debearding your mussels until you are ready to cook them, since this process can kill the mussels.
As you are cleaning the mussels, check for any that appear to be dead or damaged and discard them. Cleaning and debearding your mussels will likely kill them, so don’t do this until you are ready to put the mussels in the freezer.
Mark the date on your bag or container with a permanent marker so that you know how long the mussels have been frozen before you use them.
Mussels that have been frozen for more than a few months may become mushy when cooked.
Don’t refreeze your mussels after thawing them. This will significantly reduce their quality and may create a risk of bacterial contamination.
If you’ve just cooked the mussels, wait until they cool down before removing the shells. Otherwise, they may be too hot to handle comfortably. If any mussels are still closed after cooking, you can slide a knife between the 2 halves of the shell and gently pry them apart. Despite rumors to the contrary, it’s safe to eat mussels that are still closed after cooking—as long as they were fresh before you cooked them![18] X Research source
Arrange the mussels however you like in the container. You just need to spread them out enough that the cooking broth can cover them.
To avoid scalding yourself, give the broth a chance to cool down before pouring it into the container.
After 4 months, your mussels may become a bit mushy or lose some of their flavor.
Before eating any cooked mussels, check for an unpleasant odor or a slimy texture. These are signs that the mussel has gone bad, and should not be eaten. [24] X Research source
