It’s finally the time of year when nature comes back to life. The days are longer, the sun feels a little stronger, the trees are putting out buds, and daffodils and crocuses are popping up everywhere. Spring weather also means that the farmer’s markets and local grocery stores are about to be full of fresh, delicious goodies you simply can’t get the rest of the year.
Sardines are an ideal ingredient to use with spring produce. They’re incredibly rich and flavorful on their own, so pairing them with something fresh and crisp—radishes, herbs, blanched asparagus—makes perfect sense from a flavor and texture perspective. But of course, sardines bring more than flavor to the table: They also feature healthy fats (hello, omega-3s!), protein, vitamins, and minerals. In other words, they’ll help you make the absolute most of the season’s bounty.
Sardine Crostini with Asparagus and Pesto
Fresh asparagus and pesto both practically scream spring, so it only made sense to kick things off with this recipe. Between the pesto, sardines, and thinly sliced red onion garnish, these crostini are packed with bright, punchy, craveable flavors. They’re also incredibly fast and easy to make because you cook the asparagus in the microwave, which takes just a couple of minutes.
Scandinavian Sardine Sandwiches
An open-faced sandwich loaded with crunchy vegetables is the perfect light lunch for a crisp, sunny spring day. But don’t let those light, springy flavors fool you: The dense European-style rye bread, hard-boiled egg, sardines, and mustard-spiked Greek yogurt also mean that this is one seriously protein-packed sandwich.
Sardine Caesar Salad
Traditionally, a Caesar salad gets its trademark savory richness from anchovies, not sardines. Don’t tell the purists, but we think we might prefer this sardine version: It’s still rich and savory, but the sardines offer a lighter take on the classic flavor profile that’s especially good with lemon. Use the freshest, prettiest farmer’s market lettuce you can find here; you won’t regret it.
Easy Italian Salsa Verde with Sardines
Fresh parsley, garlic, lemon, and capers mingle with savory sardines in this super-simple, bright green, intensely springy salsa verde. It’s fantastic on just about anything: Pasta, grilled meats, fish, or honestly, plain toasted baguette slices. Keep a jar of this stuff in the fridge and you’ll never run out of things to slather it on.
Sardine Cheese Board
We think savory sardines are a fun, unexpected addition to any cheese board. For a spring twist, add fresh figs, sliced radishes, and crispy snap peas to the spread, too. You can also double down on sardines and whip up a batch of our Easy Italian Salsa Verde for dipping and spreading; it’s excellent with a wide range of cheeses.
WHERE TO BUY
Use our product locator to find the perfect salmon, tuna, crab or other seafood products from Chicken of the Sea.
- Products
- Choose Your Product
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- Packet Up! White Tuna Salad Kit
- Packet Up! Pink Salmon Salad Kit
- Mix it Up! Cheesy Tuna Casserole Kit
- Wild Caught Light Tuna in Spring Water Packet
- Wild Caught Light Tuna Packet, OLD BAY Seasoning
- Wild Caught Light Tuna Packet, Chili Lime
- Wild Caught Light Tuna Packet, Dill Tuna Salad
- Wild Caught Light Tuna Packet, Lemon Garlic
- Wild Caught Light Tuna Packet, Sweet & Spicy
- Wild Caught Albacore Tuna in Spring Water Packet
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon in Spring Water Packet
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon in Spring Water Packet, Low Sodium
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon Packet, Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon Packet, Lemon Pepper
- Wild Caught Smoked Alaskan Pink Salmon Packet, Natural Wood Smoke
- Wild Caught Smoked Alaskan Pink Salmon Packet, Maple Smokehouse Flavor
- Wild Caught Sardines in Water
- Wild Caught Sardines in Olive Oil
- Wild Caught Sardines in Oil, Lightly Smoked
- Wild Caught Sardines, Mediterranean Style
- Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Water
- Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 25% Less Sodium
- Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Oil
- Wild Caught Solid White Pure Tuna, No Drain
- Wild Caught Solid White Pure Tuna, No Drain, Low Sodium
- Wild Caught Solid White Premium Albacore Tuna in Water
- Wild Caught Solid White Premium Albacore Tuna in Water, Low Sodium
- Wild Caught Solid White Premium Albacore Tuna in Water, No Salt Added
- Wild Caught Solid White Premium Albacore Tuna in Oil
- Wild Caught Chunk White Albacore Tuna in Water
- Wild Caught Chunk White Albacore Tuna in Water, Low Sodium
- Wild Caught Solid Yellowfin Pure Tuna, No Drain
- Wild Caught Chunk Yellowfin Tuna in Vegetable Oil
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon, Skinless & Boneless
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon, 25% Less Sodium
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon, Traditional Style
- Wild Caught Alaskan Sockeye Red Salmon, Traditional Style
- Wild Caught White Crabmeat
- Wild Caught Lump Crabmeat
- Imitation Crabmeat in Brine Packet
- Wild Caught Chopped Clams
- Whole Baby Clams
- Smoked Baby Clams in Oil Packet
- Wild Caught Chub Mackerel in Brine
- Wild Caught Mackerel Fillet in Oil Packet
- Wild Caught Mackerel in Oil Packet
- Whole Oysters
- Fancy Smoked Oysters in Oil
- Smoked Oysters in Oil Packet
- Wild Caught Sardines in Lemon Sauce
- Wild Caught Sardines in Mustard Sauce
- Wild Caught Sardines in Louisiana Hot Sauce
- Wild Caught Sardines in Louisiana Hot Sauce Packet
- Wild Caught Sardines in Oil with Natural Smoke Flavor Packet
- Perfectly Crisp Shrimp
- Crispy Stuffed Shrimp – Creamy Garlic & Spinach
- Crispy Stuffed Shrimp – Creamy Jalapeno
- Crispy Stuffed Shrimp – Creamy Wonton
- Infusions Basil Tuna
- Infusions Lemon & Thyme Tuna
- Infusions Thai Chili Tuna
- Infusions Garlic & Herb Tuna
- Infusions Cracked Black Pepper Tuna
- Wild Caught Pink Salmon with Lemon & Chive
- To-Go Cups – Chunk Light Tuna in Water
- Crab Cakes
- Blue Swimming Crab – Lump
- Blue Swimming Crab – Super Lump
- Blue Swimming Crab – Jumbo Lump
- Blue Swimming Crab – Backfin
- Blue Swimming Crab – Colossal
- Blue Swimming Crab – Claw
- Blue Swimming Crab – Special
- Responsibly Raised Shrimp, Cooked, Extra Large
- Responsibly Raised Shrimp, Uncooked, Extra Large
- Responsibly Raised Shrimp, Uncooked, Jumbo
- Responsibly Raised Shrimp, Uncooked, Medium
- Raw Peeled & Deveined Tail-On Shrimp
- Raw Peeled & Deveined Tail-Off Shrimp
- Raw Shell On, Easy to Peel Shrimp
- Easy Grillers Uncooked Shrimp
- Cooked Peeled & Deveined Tail-On Shrimp
- Cooked Peeled & Deveined Tail-Off Shrimp