Sardines are packed with nutrition like omega-3s, protein, vitamin B12, selenium and calcium. Their rich flavor goes well with bold seasonings and cooking methods that keep them moist. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook sardines in 4 different ways.
1. How To Cook Sardines in Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
Preheat oven broiler on high heat and line a baking sheet with foil. Rinse sardines under cold water and pat dry completely with paper towels.Arrange sardines evenly in one layer on prepared baking sheet. Brush all over with olive oil or melted butter.In a small bowl, mix garlic, oregano, paprika, cayenne and black pepper. Sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over oiled fish.Broil for 5 minutes until fish flakes easily and surface is crispy. Serve with lemon wedges, hot sauce, or aioli.
2. How To Cook Sardines on Stove
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh sardines, scales removed
- 1⁄3 cup flour
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 thin lemon slices
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Rinse sardines under cold water and pat very dry with paper towels. Season flour with a pinch of salt and pepper and dredge fish lightly on both sides. Shake off any excess.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering hot, add fish in a single layer without overcrowding along with lemon slices tucked amongst them.
Fry 2 minutes until golden. Gently flip and cook second side another 1-2 minutes until fish are opaque throughout.
Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve pan fried sardines warm, at room temperature, or cold.
3. How To Cook Sardines in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 7 fresh sardines (cleaned, gutted, and washed)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon flour
Instructions
Pat the sardines dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the seasoning stick better and ensures crispier results in the air fryer.
In a small bowl, combine chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, garlic powder, and flour. Mix well to create the spice rub.
Coat each sardine with the spice mix, ensuring the seasoning covers the fish evenly, including the inside cavity. Use your hands to gently rub the spice blend onto the skin for maximum flavor.
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a cooking spray or brush it with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. Place the sardines in a single layer in the basket.
Air fry the sardines at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes. Flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure both sides are crispy and golden brown.
Remove the sardines from the air fryer and serve immediately. Pair them with lemon wedges, a fresh salad, or a side of rice for a complete meal.
4. How To Cook Sardines on Grill
Ingredients
- 11⁄2 lbs fresh sardines, gutted and scaled
- 21⁄2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon plus wedges for serving
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Heat grill to medium-high, about 400°F. In a baking dish, toss all ingredients except parsley and lemon wedges to evenly coat fish. Let marinate 10 minutes while grill heats.
When grill is very hot, scrape the grill rack clean. Use a fish grilling basket or double sheets of foil with edges crimped to seal. Mist the interior with cooking spray.
Carefully transfer marinated sardines into the basket/foil and grill 4 minutes. Rotating 90 degrees for crisscross marks, grill another 2-4 minutes until opaque and lightly charred.
Transfer grilled sardines to a platter, sprinkling with parsley. Serve with lemon wedges, dipping sauces, homemade tartar sauce or aioli.
Now, you knew how to cook sardines properly at home. I hope that after reading this article, you can enjoy delicious oven-broiled, pan fried, air fried, or grilled sardines packed with flavor. Good luck.
