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    Home » Cooking Basics

    How to Eat Canned Sardines

    Published: Nov 11, 2018 · Modified: Oct 17, 2024 · 2 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Do you want to love to learn sardines?  Are you already a sardine lover, and are looking for new recipes?  Today’s post will help you learn how to eat canned sardines!

    Do you want to love to learn sardines? Are you already a sardine lover, and are looking for new recipes? Today’s post will help you learn how to eat canned sardines!

    If you’re looking for a healthy, low-mercury fish to eat– sardines should be at the top of your list.

    They’re on the Marine Steward Council’s list of sustainable “Fish to Eat.”  They’re high in omega-3s, calcium, minerals like iron, and protein.

    They’re also incredibly affordable– especially if you buy canned sardines.

    BUT.  They can also be intimidating.

    They don't have to be, and these recipes can help you learn easy ways to add sardines to your diet.

    And if you already love sardines, I’ve got recipe ideas for you too.

    Recipes That Don't Taste "Fishy"

    I get it.  You’ve emailed me.  You’ve told me in person or on Instagram.

    You’re not sure if you like sardines.

    You feel like you need to eat sardines, but you’re not sure you want to taste the sardines.

    We can make that happen.

    Sardines have a strong flavor, but often, you can use the other flavors in a recipe to compliment, mellow, (and even sometimes mask) the inherent fishy taste.

    If you want even more canned fish tips, check out this guide to canned fish!

    Tips for How to Eat Canned Sardines (Without the Bold Flavor Smacking You in the Face)

    • Use high quality sardines.  I rarely buy the store-brand sardines.  Stick with higher-quality brands, and the fish will taste better.
    • Drain the oil out of the can.  Sometimes a recipe will tell you to use the oil straight from the sardine can– and I regularly use the canned oil in my cooking.  However, keep in mind that the oil from the can will taste fishier than fresh oil.
    • Use sardines in recipes that call for other strongly flavored seafoods (like crab).  Sardines make a delicious substitute for crab meat in crab cakes or crab-stuffed mushrooms.
    • Pair sardines with complementary flavors.  I happen to love sardines cooked with tomato sauce or spicy red pepper flakes.

    Canned Sardine Recipes Without a Strong Sardine Flavor

    Do you want to try sardines, but want to start with some less “fishy-forward” recipes? 

    Here are some ideas to get you started.  My recommendation is to start with my most popular canned sardine recipe– mini sardine fish cakes.

    A Canned Sardine Recipe: Mini Fish Cakes
    These mini Sardine Fish Cakes are served with a Spicy Yogurt Sauce, and are perfect to serve as Tapas or Hors D’Oeuvres.
    Make It
    Sardine Fish Cakes in a stack with sauce on the serving tray
    Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms with Sardines
    These seafood stuffed mushrooms with are made with spicy sardines and baby portobello mushrooms. They're easy, delicious, and perfect as a side dish or appetizer.
    Make It
    seafood stuffed mushrooms on a serving platter
    Fish Tikka Masala with Sardines
    This easy Fish Tikka Masala is a quick curry that's filled with comforting and warming spices, a creamy tomato sauce, and spicy sardines.
    Make It
    Fish tikka masala in a bowl with rice
    Fish Meatballs
    These easy fish meatballs (fish balls) are adapted from the Mexican dish Albondigas de Pescado and are made with sardines.  Serve them with a quick and easy tomato sauce as an appetizer, or add them to pasta for seafood spaghetti and meatballs!
    Make It
    Albondigas de pescado (fish balls / fish meatballs) on a serving tray with tomato sauce
    Camp Stove Fish Curry
    This quick and easy camp stove fish curry is an Indian-inspired camping dinner!  Prepare this sardine curry on a camp stove in less than 30 minutes.
    Make It
    camping dinner: goan fish curry in bowls with lime wedges and cilantro

    How to Eat Canned Sardines: For Sardine Lovers

    Once you’ve tried sardines a few times, you might decide that you’re obsessed!  That you simply cannot eat enough sardines.

    If you’re a die-hard sardine lover, you might already enjoy the traditional snack– canned sardines on saltine crackers.  You might even eat sardines straight from the can.

    If you want to eat even more sardines, here are some delicious recipes that help the sardine shine through in all its fishy glory.  I recommend trying out my quick and easy sardine fish wraps as a packed lunch idea!

    Pasta con le Sarde: Pasta with Sardines
    This recipe for Pasta con le Sarde is a easy twist on the Sicilian classic, and features bucatini pasta with sardines and fennel.
    Make It
    Greek Salad (Horiatiki) with Sardines
    This easy, traditional Greek Salad (or Horiatiki) is made with fresh summer produce and an easy vinaigrette, and topped with delicious and healthy sardines! 
    Make It
    Greek salad without lettuce arranged onto plates
    Korean Seafood Pancakes: A Dutch Baby Recipe
    This Dutch Baby recipe is a twist on Korean Seafood Pancakes.  Make this savory brunch recipe at home or over the campfire!
    Make It
    dutch baby korean seafood pancakes with sardines in a 10" lodge cast iron
    Sardine Fish Wraps
    These quick sardine fish wraps are an easy, healthy lunch on the go!  They're perfect as a packed lunch for work, and are ideal for road trips and camping.
    Make It
    Fish wraps with sardines, tomatoes, dressing, and spinach on a countertop
    Seafood Macaroni and Cheese
    This Baked Seafood Macaroni and Cheese with Sardines is loaded with high-quality sardines, along with creamy Jarlsberg and Parmesan cheeses, and is an easy and flavorful side dish.
    Make It
    This Baked Seafood Macaroni and Cheese with Sardines is loaded with high-quality sardines, along with creamy Jarlsberg and Parmesan cheeses, and is an easy and flavorful side dish.

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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Comments

    All commentsI made this
    1. Nick says

      February 17, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      The simplest dinners are often the best. Canned sardines mashed onto hot, buttered toast are delicious. The fish practically melts into the bread.

      Reply
    2. George Bianchi says

      August 09, 2023 at 3:27 pm

      This recipe sounds delicioso as it's almost identical to my Sicilian Grandmother's from St. Giuseppe, Sicily. My Mom still makes it and will be 99 yrs old next week.
      She's made it a 'few' times. Every Christmas Eve and when special company comes and wants to taste it. Tremendous food!!!

      Reply
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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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