Rinse the mussels under cold running water
Scrub the shells clean
Pull off the beards
Discard any mussels with cracked shells
Discard any mussels that stay open after tapping them
Heat a pan or pot over medium-high heat
Add a little oil, butter, garlic, or shallot if desired
Add the mussels to the hot pan or pot
Pour in a small amount of liquid such as water, wine, or broth
Cover with a lid
Cook for 5 to 7 minutes
Shake the pan or stir once during cooking
Remove mussels as they open
Discard any mussels that do not open
Serve immediately