Q&A for How to Store Mussels

You can, but it's not recommended. The mussels will hold flavor and texture better if you cook them first, then freeze them.

If you store them right, you can keep mussels in your fridge for 3-4 days. Put the live mussels in a bowl or on a tray. Don't keep them in a closed container or a sealed plastic bag. They need to be in an open container in order to breathe. Cover the container with a damp cloth or paper towel to help them retain moisture without smothering them. Don't add extra water to the container or you could kill them. If you want to keep them chilled, you can put a zipper-top bag of ice on top of the mussels underneath the cloth or paper towel. Keep the mussels in a place where they won't be able to leak or drip on other food items in your fridge such as the bottom shelf, which is usually the coldest part. You can keep them there for up to 4 days, but pour out any liquid each day to keep your mussels fresh and healthy for as long as possible.

Never, I repeat, never store live mussels in a plastic bag unless you plan to freeze them. The sealed environment could suffocate and kill them, which can cause them to spoil much more quickly. If you're trying to store the mussels for a few days, use an open container or a tray. Place your mussels in it and cover it with a damp cloth or paper towel so they stay moist but don't smother. You can keep the container in you fridge for 3-4 days. Place them on the bottom shelf, which is the coldest and least likely to be disturbed.

Anytime you cook mussels, whether you boil them, steam them, sauté them, or fry them, they'll be killed. However, you always want to start with fresh, live mussels. As soon as mussels die, their meat starts to quickly deteriorate and the likelihood of them being contaminated with bacteria and microorganisms goes way up. You could get seriously ill if you eat spoiled mussels. Your safest bet is to stick to live, healthy mussels. If you're unsure, don't risk it!