20 Gourmet Recipes for Canned Sardines: Tasty and Creative Meals (2024)

FAQs

How do you jazz up canned sardines? ›

A Few Ideas for Sardines

Squeeze with more lemon or a splash of vinegar, and sprinkle with flaky salt and ground pepper. Eat open-faced, or top with another piece of bread for a sandwich. Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet, and toast garlic until golden brown.

You can toss them on straight from the can, fry them up, or grill them. Either way, sardines make a fun pizza topping. Sardines might not be the first type of seafood that comes to mind when you think about fish tacos, but these small, canned fish work surprisingly well in a tortilla.

Is it safe to eat sardines every day? Eating fish like sardines is an important part of a healthy diet, but as with any food, moderation is key. The FDA recommends eating two to three servings of sardines per week.

Rinse off excess salt.

If you can't find a brand that has a “No Salt Added” version, look for sardines that are packed in spring water. Then, rinsing the sardines may help to reduce some of the salt content. Just empty the can into a colander and rinse with cold water, shaking it and turning the sardines as you rinse.

Canned sardines come packed in water, oil, tomato juice, and other liquids in a tin can. You can eat them right out of the can, top them with onions or peppers, or add condiments such as mustard, mayo, or hot sauce. Usually, the heads have been removed, but you'll be eating the skin and bones.

And as with all things culinary, the French really do them right. Whether they be grilled then bathed in extra-virgin olive oil before being tinned, or combined with a bit of gentle pepper, or layered with sliced lemon, or just simply put in the tin, they're delicious.

The FDA recommends a weekly intake of two to three servings of sardines, or 8 to 12 ounces for adults and 4 to 6 ounces for children age 4 to 7. The FDA recognizes the health benefits of eating fish, especially for pregnant people and young children. Pregnant people can eat up to 12 ounces per week.

Eat sardines straight out of the can.

Simply grab a fork and eat them straight out of the can for a healthy, protein-packed snack.

Combine the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, and black pepper in a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Arrange the sardines in a single layer on the bottom of a shallow baking dish and pour the marinade over the fish.

Can dogs eat sardines? ›

Yes, sardines are great for dogs as a part of a balanced diet. Sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and CoQ10 to boost the immune system and metabolism, reduce inflammation, and support the heart, joints, bones, eyes, and skin.

Sardines are protein-rich, and they deliver more nutrition per ounce than larger protein sources. Buying sardines in water means fewer calories, lower fat and sodium, and a milder taste.

While canned sardines are a low-mercury fish choice, Manaker notes, "eating them frequently—as in more than four times a week—may be a concern, since you could potentially be exposed to too much [mercury]."

Straight out of the can: Sardines are usually packed with water, oil, tomato juice and other liquids, and they are great when eaten right out of the can. For extra flavor, try adding lemon juice or mayonnaise and for a quick and delicious snack.

Sardines offer more vitamin E per serving than tuna, and they also contain more calcium. Vitamin E plays a role in healthy blood circulation by promoting new red blood cell development, and its antioxidant function combats tissue damage.

Thinly sliced shallot, red onion (or white for more oomph) all work well with sardines or toast, and a chopped herb garnish for freshness and colour. Tinned sardines are already cooked so all that's required to cook with them is to heat them through towards the end of the cooking time.