Canned Sardine Recipes (2024)

Home » 25 Tasty Canned Sardine Recipes

by Dana Sandonato//July 15, 2022 (updated May 23, 2023)

Sardine lovers, rejoice! We’ve got 25 canned sardine recipes that will let you enjoy your favorite fillets morning, day, and night.

Table of Contents

Sardines Are Tiny, but Mighty!

It’s no secret that oily fish are a best choice when it comes to heart health—and canned sardines are nutritional powerhouses!

They’re high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids which help prevent heart disease thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. They can also reduce the risk of blood clots and help to lower blood pressure.

A lot of canned sardine fanatics are happy to eat them straight out of the can with some crackers, and that’s cool.

But in an attempt to boast how versatile these little fillets are, we’ve collected 25 canned sardine recipes that will give you ideas for any time of the day.

4 Tasty Ways to Start Your Day With Canned Sardines.

Brunch Bagel with Sardines. This bagel is smothered with whipped cream cheese, then topped with crisp veggies and canned Sardines. Healthy, wholesome, and delectable!
Breakfast Egg and Tomato Sardine Sandwich. Who doesn’t love a breakfast sandwich? This one is eggy and drippy and packed with Omega-3s.
Easy Fisherman’s Eggs. These Easy Fisherman’s Eggs are protein-packed thanks to canned sardines, eggs, and fresh veggies. Serve them with arugula and toast for a complete breakfast or brunch!
Fisherman’s Huevos Rancheros. This recipe takes the concept of Fisherman’s Eggs and marries it with the beloved huevos rancheros, and it’s a WIN.

5 Glorious Canned Sardine Lunches That Serve as a Fab Pick-Me-Up.

Green Goddess Pita with Sardines. This pita is super filling and refreshing with an easy homespun Green Goddess dressing you’ll CRAVE.
Cheddar Jalapeño Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Sardines. Because grown ups like grilled cheese sandwiches, too! This one is ooey gooey perfection with a little kick from the jalapeños.
Greek Pita with Sardines. All of the Greek flavors we love rolled up into a wholesome and satisfying pita with canned sardines.
Spicy Tostadas with Sardines. Crispy corn tortillas are topped with refried beans, quick-pickled onions, juicy tomatoes, cotija cheese, and brisling sardines that have been packed with punchy jalapeño peppers.
Spicy Sardine Salad Sandwich. Tuna salad can take a backseat for a while, because these sardine salad sandwiches are DELISH.

8 Ways to Put Canned Sardines on Your Dinner Table.

Instant Pot Pesto Pasta with Sardines. A quick and simple 15-minute pasta packed with nutrients! It’s the perfect weeknight fix.
Seafood Stuffed Peppers with Sardines. These low carb seafood stuffed peppers are brimming with fragrant basmati rice, sautéed veggies, meaty shrimp, and sardines in tomato sauce.
Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Sardines. Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Sardines give you a healthy dose of protein, fiber, and Omega-3s.
Instant Pot Spanish Rice with Sardines. Rice is pressure cooked in broth with tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and a blend of aromatic spices. Once the rice is ready, fold in some delicious sardines for protein.
Easy Fish Tacos with Sardines. This recipe is much healthier than your usual deep-fried fish tacos! There’s no cooking required and it’s ready in minutes.
Dirty Rice with Sardines. Get your tastebuds ready: this Dirty Rice is a delicious spin on the classic Louisiana dish with shrimp and meaty sardine fillets.
Lemon Pepper Pasta with Sardines. Bright and lemony is the name of the game here. This 30-minute pasta is tossed with garlic, lemon juice, arugula, and peppery sardines.
Crispy Fish Po’Boy Sandwiches. These Crispy Fish Po’boy Sandwiches are slathered with lemon tarragon mayo and stuffed with tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and homemade fish cakes made from boneless and skinless sardines.

8 Canned Sardine Appetizers Made to Share.

Greens and Beans with Sardines. Greens and Beans, but make it with an extra punch of protein!
Lemon and Dill Pinwheel Sandwiches with Sardines. These brightly flavored pinwheel sandwiches bring sardines to a whole new level.
Quick Tomato Confit on Toasts with Sardines. Easy peasy toasts with tomato confit topped with sardines become a wholesome and nutritious starter.
Greek Pinwheels with Sardines. A different kind of pinwheel! These are buttery and golden and filled with Greek flavors with pesto, olives, pine nuts, feta, and Mediterranean-style canned sardines!
Spring Snap Pea and Radish Canapés with Sardines. Fresh baguette slices with lemony anchovy butter and topped with crisp radishes, sweet peas, tender brisling sardines, and fresh dill for the perfect spring appetizer.
Easy Stuffed Mushrooms with Spicy Sardines. Plump mushroom caps stuffed with garlic, cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, and sardines, and topped with a crumby coating and baked to golden perfection.
Bang Bang Fish Sliders. These sweet and spicy Bang Bang Fish Sliders are everything you love about Bang Bang Fish Tacos in tiny burger form!
Crispy Fish Croquettes. Golden crispy fish croquettes made up with canned sardines. Serve them with a tangy mustard sauce for a little extra oomph!

Did You Find This Round-up Useful?
If you enjoyed this collection of canned sardine recipes, please let us know by leaving feedback in the comments section below.
You can also show off your creations on Instagram by tagging @killing__thyme

posted in: Food, Recipe Round-up // 42 comments

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42 Comments on “25 Tasty Canned Sardine Recipes”

April —July 29, 2023 @ 3:05 pm Reply
Wow! I love sardines and had NO idea of being able to put them in such recipes!! I have several bookmarked to try very soon; especially the toasted cheese and the lemon pasta! Thank you
- Killing Thyme —August 1, 2023 @ 1:13 pm Reply
  I hope you love them, April! Keep me posted on what you try :)
Natasha —July 19, 2023 @ 4:37 pm Reply
I love all the options. I grew up just eating them with crackers with my Jamaican grandfather. I tried the sardine lemon pasta and it was delicious! So bright! I look forward to experimenting with these other recipes!
- Killing Thyme —August 28, 2023 @ 10:14 am Reply
  I’m so glad you enjoyed the pasta! I love the memories of eating them with your grandfather. Nothing beats a food that invokes memories!
Fernanda —March 19, 2023 @ 4:27 pm Reply
It’s the brunch bagels for me. Outstanding!
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- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:53 pm Reply
  They’re SO good! One of my faves.
Tara —March 1, 2023 @ 10:20 am Reply
Such a wonderful collection of recipes to use canned sardines! I especially love the Brunch Bagel with Sardines and Lemon Pepper Pasta with Sardines.
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:52 pm Reply
  That bagel is seriously one of my favorites :)
Dannii —March 1, 2023 @ 10:19 am Reply
So much great choice here. I can’t wait to try them.
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:52 pm Reply
  Thank you!
Wanda —March 1, 2023 @ 10:11 am Reply
So many options for using sardines and several I have never thought to try before! Thanks for all the great ideas!
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:51 pm Reply
  You’re so welcome!
Christina Morris —March 1, 2023 @ 10:05 am Reply
That pita looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:51 pm Reply
  Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Ilya —February 23, 2023 @ 10:34 am Reply
I’ve made the green goddess pita and it was unbelievable. Bookmarked this list so I can make more. You have a talent with sardines!
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:51 pm Reply
  Aw, thanks so much, Ilya!
Adrianne —February 6, 2023 @ 7:31 pm Reply
Tiny but mighty…I love it! Your photos are beautiful and I am craving sardines now. The Spanish rice and sardines is one that I would like to try, it sounds full of flavour. Thanks for sharing.
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Eggplant Gratin With Feta Cheese - Healthy Eggplant Gratin Recipe
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 7:51 pm Reply
  Thanks so much, Adrianne! That one has gotten quite a bit of love, so it would be a great one to start with. Let me know if you try it!
Seema Sriram —February 6, 2023 @ 6:51 pm Reply
This is a wonderfully comprehensive list of recipes to try with canned sardines. I am sure each one will turn out as good as in the pictures too.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 7:51 pm Reply
  Thank you!
Kathleen —February 6, 2023 @ 6:49 pm Reply
I had no idea you could do so much with canned sardines. looking forward to trying these.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 7:51 pm Reply
  I hope you find something you enjoy! Keep me posted.
Anjali —February 6, 2023 @ 6:45 pm Reply
This is such a helpful guide to using canned sardines! I didn’t know there were so many different ways to use them in cooking – can’t wait to try these soon!
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 7:50 pm Reply
  They are surprisingly versatile!
Barb —December 15, 2022 @ 10:45 pm Reply
I want to try a bunch of these!
- Killing Thyme —December 16, 2022 @ 10:39 am Reply
  Please let me know if you do!
Chris —October 15, 2022 @ 3:15 pm Reply
So many ways to use Sardines. Can’t wait to try them all out. I feel you can also try them out with canned tuna.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:36 pm Reply
  Yes! Absolutely you can.
Leila Jean —August 15, 2022 @ 4:32 pm Reply
This is a great compilation. I’m considered the weirdo in my family and loooooove sardines. It’s awesome to see them used in so many different ways.
- Killing Thyme —August 15, 2022 @ 4:39 pm Reply
  Sardines are a miss with so many people! Happy you’ve found this collection :)
Traci —August 3, 2022 @ 6:04 pm Reply
You always kill it with the sardines, girl! What a delicious lineup! Thanks so much for sharing another winner :)
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:36 pm Reply
  Aw, thanks so much, Traci!
Cathleen —August 3, 2022 @ 5:39 pm Reply
I love sardines!! This is the roundup that I needed! Thank you so much for sharing, I am definitely going to be making a lot of these recipes :)
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:38 pm Reply
  Great to hear!
Roxana —August 3, 2022 @ 4:29 pm Reply
Wow, I love this. So many different ways to use sardines. We always have this and its nice to have recipes to try variations.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:38 pm Reply
  Hope it brings you inspiration!
Andrea —August 3, 2022 @ 4:20 pm Reply
I’m in awe with this list. I can’t wait to get started making these. They all sound fantastic.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:37 pm Reply
  Thank you!
Andrea —August 3, 2022 @ 3:44 pm Reply
I’ve never made anything with sardines before but these look so good! I can’t wait to try one.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:37 pm Reply
  Keep me posted!
Tayler Ross —July 27, 2022 @ 4:01 pm Reply
We always have a can of sardines in the pantry, so I’m so glad I’ve happened upon this list! It will be great when I don’t have anything ready for dinner!
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:37 pm Reply
  Good luck! Let me know what you try :)

FAQs

What can you do with canned sardines? ›

20 WAYS TO EAT A SARDINE + RECIPES

Straight out of the can.
On a cracker.
Add mustard to that cracker.
Mix it with mayo, salt & pepper… ...
Sauté in oil, garlic, onions, and tomato with a bit of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. ...
Toss a few in a salad.
Put a few in a pasta dish.
And of course, straight out of the can.

More items...

Read On ›

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.

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Are canned sardines healthy? ›

Canned sardines are a nutrient-dense seafood option that can be included in a balanced, variety-filled diet. Not only are canned sardines convenient and versatile to use in your eating pattern, but they also provide heart-healthy omega-3s that may help with reducing inflammation, improving cognition and more.

Learn More ›

How do you eat sardines from a can? ›

High-quality tinned sardines can be eaten straight from the can! The tiny headless fish are already cooked—steamed, fried, or smoked (the can should indicate)—before they're canned. They're ready to eat as is, on a fork or toothpick, or scooped up with a cracker.

Learn More ›

Should you rinse canned sardines? ›

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.

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How many times a week is it safe to eat canned sardines? ›

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.

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Are sardines better in water or oil? ›

Sardines in olive oil taste better - arguably. Sardines in water have roughly half as much fat, but the amount of saturated fat isn't a lot higher in olive oil-packed sardines. In other words sardines in olive oil have more fat, but it's the good stuff.

Read The Full Story ›

Which is healthier, sardines or salmon? ›

So, which is healthier, sardines or salmon? While both fish are nutritional powerhouses, sardines slightly edge out salmon in terms of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and environmental sustainability.

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What is the safest canned fish to eat? ›

The most healthful choices on this list that are available canned include anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, clams, crab, oysters, sardines, shrimp, and trout. Canned seafood brands offer varying levels of testing to ensure lower mercury levels.

Get More Info Here ›

Should I eat the bones in canned sardines? ›

You eat fish bones and skin when you eat canned sardines, and they are an excellent source of calcium, providing about a third of the amount needed by the average person in each serving. Vitamin D is vital to this process since it allows your body to absorb calcium.

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Are sardines better than tuna? ›

Considering their higher omega-3 fatty acid content, lower mercury levels, and greater contributions to bone health and immune support, sardines might just edge out tuna as the healthier option. However, both fish offer valuable nutrients and can be part of a balanced diet.

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Should you drain sardines before eating? ›

Eat sardines straight out of the can.

You don't need a complicated recipe to enjoy sardines! Simply grab a fork and eat them straight out of the can for a healthy, protein-packed snack. You could add a drizzle of lemon juice, hot sauce, or balsamic vinaigrette on top if you want.

How long do canned sardines last? ›

Canned fish — such as tuna, salmon, and sardines — can last up to three years after they're packaged. Why? "Canning foods removes all air and places it in vacuum-sealed containers that are then heat processed," says Rumsey. "This destroys microorganisms and prevents new bacteria from getting in."

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What can I do with empty sardine tins? ›

After being emptied, sardine cans make great storage containers for food. Remove the lid and the ring from the empty sardine can before using them as a storage container. Drill a small hole in the top of the can to ensure that the lid can fit on top securely.

Get More Info Here ›

Are sardines in a can cooked? ›

Sardines are canned in many different ways. At the cannery, the fish are washed, their heads are removed, and then smoked or cooked, either by deep-frying or by steam-cooking, after which they are dried. They are then packed in either olive, sunflower, or soybean oil, water, or in a tomato, chili, or mustard sauce.

What to do with sardines after opening? ›

Yes, you can store opened or partially-eaten sardines in the refrigerator! Because tin containers cannot be resealed after opening, place the sardines in a glass or plastic airtight container with a lid. (Glass containers are preferable, as they are less likely to retain stains or odors.)