10+ Sardine Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Sardines are a tasty, nutritious ingredient you can toss into meals without much fuss. They come packed in a can and make it easy to add a punch of flavor and protein.

You can use sardines in all sorts of simple recipes—snacks, meals, even party food.

Maybe you’re new to sardines, or just bored with the usual ways of eating them. Either way, there are plenty of easy ideas to try.

Sardines mix well with fresh ingredients and spices. You’ll end up with meals that are healthy and genuinely filling.

Ingredients

• Canned sardines
• Olive oil
• Fresh herbs
• Garlic
• Lemon
• Bread or crackers

Cooking Instructions

1. Open the sardines and drain the extra liquid if you want.
2. Mix sardines with olive oil, garlic, and herbs in a bowl.
3. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice for brightness.
4. Pile the mixture on bread, crackers, or toss into pasta for a fast meal.

1) Sardine Puffs with Cream Cheese

You can whip up tasty sardine puffs with just cream cheese and a can of sardines. Mash the sardines and mix them with softened cream cheese.

Finely chopped onions or scallions add a nice kick. Scoop the mixture onto small puff pastry squares.

Fold the pastry over and seal the edges well. These puffs work as snacks or appetizers.

Pop them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes. The pastry should come out golden and crisp.

Serve them warm—they’re best that way.

Ingredients

• 1 can of sardines
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 small onion or 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix cream cheese, sardines, and onion in a bowl. Add salt and pepper.
3. Cut puff pastry into 3-inch squares.
4. Place a spoonful of sardine filling on each square.
5. Fold squares into triangles or rectangles, sealing edges.
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Let cool slightly, then enjoy.

2) Pan-Fried Sardines with Salsa Verde

Pan-fried sardines are quick and super tasty. Use the oil from the can to cook them.

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium until hot. Gently lay the sardines in and cook until crispy—usually 2-3 minutes per side.

Flip carefully so they don’t fall apart. Salsa verde makes a zesty topping.

It’s just parsley, cilantro, capers, and lemon juice. The sauce adds brightness to the rich sardines.

Ingredients

• 1 (3-4 oz) can sardines in olive oil
• 1 large handful fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 large handful fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the sardine oil in a skillet over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Place sardines in the skillet and cook 2-3 minutes per side until crispy.
3. Chop parsley, cilantro, and capers finely.
4. Mix herbs and capers with lemon juice for salsa verde.
5. Serve sardines topped with salsa verde.

3) Sardine Rillettes Spread

Sardine rillettes are a creamy, savory spread you can make in minutes. Just mash canned sardines with cream cheese or butter.

Add extras like shallots, green onions, and a splash of lime or lemon juice for a fresh lift. Chopped chives or parsley work well too.

Spread it on crackers, bread, or baguette slices. It’s a great snack or party bite.

This one takes about 10 to 15 minutes to throw together. Using sardines packed in water keeps it light.

Ingredients

• 2 cans sardines, drained
• 4 oz cream cheese or 2 tbsp softened butter
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp chopped green onions or chives
• 1 tsp lime or lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mash sardines in a bowl until flaky.
2. Add cream cheese or butter and mix until smooth.
3. Stir in shallot, green onions, and lime juice.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Chill for 10 minutes before serving.

4) BBQ Sardines with Chermoula Sauce

BBQ sardines are so simple but packed with flavor. Grill the sardines over hot coals or a barbecue.

Cook them for about 2-3 minutes per side until charred and done. The chermoula sauce is the star here.

Mix up herbs, lemon, and spices for a sauce that’s fresh and zesty. Drizzle it over the sardines right before serving.

This dish is great for a casual outdoor meal or a quick dinner. The chermoula wakes up the whole plate.

Ingredients:

• Fresh sardines
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro)
• Ground cumin
• Paprika
• Chili flakes
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat grill or barbecue to medium-high.
2. Clean and pat dry the sardines.
3. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, herbs, cumin, paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper for chermoula.
4. Grill sardines 2-3 minutes per side until cooked and a bit charred.
5. Spoon chermoula sauce over the sardines and serve.

Get the full details at BBQ sardines with chermoula sauce.

5) Sardine Pasta with Parsley Crumbs

Sardine pasta gets a crunchy upgrade with toasted parsley crumbs. The crumbs add freshness and a little crunch.

Toast breadcrumbs in olive oil with garlic and rosemary until golden. Sardines bring a rich, salty flavor that just works with the parsley.

Toss the sardines and some olive oil with your cooked pasta. Sprinkle the parsley crumbs over the top.

Spaghetti is classic, but use whatever long pasta you like.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 50g dried breadcrumbs
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 sprig rosemary, leaves finely chopped
• 2 x 120g cans sardines
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pasta (spaghetti or similar), cooked

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
2. Add garlic and rosemary, cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in breadcrumbs and toast until golden.
4. Take off the heat and mix in parsley.
5. Drain sardines and add to pasta with olive oil.
6. Toss everything together and season to taste.
7. Top pasta with parsley breadcrumbs.

More details here: Sardine pasta with crunchy parsley crumbs recipe.

6) Italian Crusted Sardines with Lemon and Herbs

Italian crusted sardines are easy and pretty irresistible. Start with fresh, boneless fillets.

Coat them in a mix of breadcrumbs, lemon zest, garlic, parsley, and oregano. A little grated Pecorino cheese brings a salty, cheesy note.

Pan-fry the fillets for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy. Squeeze fresh lemon over the top.

This meal cooks fast but feels special. Check out the full recipe at Italian Crusted Sardines – RecipeTin Eats.

Ingredients

• 8 fresh boneless sardine fillets
• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 cup grated Pecorino cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for frying
• Lemon wedges for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix breadcrumbs, lemon zest, garlic, parsley, oregano, Pecorino, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Coat each fillet in the breadcrumb mixture.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
4. Fry sardines 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
5. Serve hot with lemon wedges.

7) Island-Style Sardines and Rice

This dish is straightforward and packs a lot of flavor. You cook sardines with onions and tomatoes, then serve over rice.

The onions and tomatoes add sweetness and a little tang. Sardines bring richness.

It’s a filling meal, good for breakfast or whenever you want something fast. Honestly, it’s hard to mess up.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of sardines
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook rice according to package directions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
3. Add onion and cook until soft.
4. Stir in tomato and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add sardines and gently break them up.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve the sardine mixture over rice.

You’ll find more on this at Island Style Sardines and Rice Recipe.

8) Mediterranean Sardine Pasta with Capers and Chili Flakes

This pasta dish is super simple and loaded with flavor. Canned sardines bring a ton of taste and you can find them almost anywhere.

Lemon and capers add a bright, tangy pop. I love how quick this comes together.

Start by boiling your pasta until it’s just tender—don’t overdo it. While that’s going, gently sauté garlic and red chili flakes in olive oil.

Add the sardines and capers next, mixing them in gently so they don’t break up too much. Toss your cooked pasta right into the pan with all that goodness.

Squeeze in fresh lemon juice for a burst of freshness. I mean, who doesn’t want dinner that’s fast and actually tastes good?

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta (angel hair or spaghetti)
• 1 can sardines in olive oil, drained and flaked
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp capers
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat.
3. Add garlic and chili flakes; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Stir in sardines and capers; warm gently.
5. Drain pasta and add it to the pan. Toss well.
6. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve warm.

For more details, check Mediterranean Sardine Pasta with Lemon, Capers, and Chili Flakes.

9) Roasted Sardines with Garlic and Herb Crust

Roasted sardines with a garlic and herb crust really pack a punch. The herbs bring freshness, and garlic adds a bold kick.

This one’s easy to whip up for a weeknight dinner. Mix garlic, herbs, breadcrumbs, and a splash of oil to make the crust.

Coat the sardines with your mixture and pop them in a hot oven. The crust gets golden and crunchy—so satisfying.

Roast at 430°F (220°C) for about 10-12 minutes. Watch closely so the crust doesn’t burn.

Serve with lemon wedges if you want a bit more zing.

Ingredients

• Fresh sardines
• Garlic (minced)
• Mixed fresh herbs (parsley, oregano)
• Breadcrumbs
• Olive oil
• Lemon wedges
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 430°F (220°C) with fan on.
2. In a bowl, mix garlic, herbs, breadcrumbs, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Coat sardines evenly with the mixture.
4. Place sardines on a baking tray.
5. Roast for 10-12 minutes until crust is golden.
6. Serve with lemon wedges.

10) Sardines Sautéed with Onions and Scotch Bonnet

Sautéing sardines with onions and scotch bonnet peppers makes a dish that’s bold and quick. It’s perfect when you want something with a bit of a kick.

Heat oil in a pan and toss in the sliced onions. Cook them until they’re soft and a little sweet.

Add thinly sliced scotch bonnet for heat—go easy if you’re not a spice fan. Stir in sardines, breaking them up just a little so you still get some chunks.

Let everything cook together for a few minutes so the flavors blend. I like this best served with rice or bread, but you do you.

Ingredients

• 1 can sardines in oil
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• Black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Toss in the onions and sauté them until they’re soft. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.

3. Add the scotch bonnet and let it cook for a minute.

4. Stir in the sardines and keep cooking for another 3 minutes.

5. Sprinkle in some black pepper. Serve it hot—don’t wait too long or it loses its charm.