Sardines for Spring

Are sardines the ultimate sleeper hit? Maybe you’re already wise to the fact that these classics can make a serious impact at mealtime: Pop open a can, add atop your grain bowl, salad, or wrap, and you’re golden. But if you have yet to integrate them into your meal rotation, consider this your wakeup call. Sardines are having a moment this spring, and for good reason. These tender little fish pack flavor, nutrients, and protein with minimum effort, and instantly transform your spring produce into something extra-special.

Sardines: Tiny Fish, Serious Range

Sardines practically define the concept of small but mighty: rich, savory, and satisfyingly meaty, they’re also nutritional powerhouses that are ideal for supporting a healthy lifestyle. Our wild caught sardines come in many forms: For the purists among us, there are sardines in olive oil, water or lemon, simply prepared so you can dress them up whatever way you like best. For the flavor hunters, we’ve got sardines in mustard sauce, sardines in Louisiana hot sauce, and Mediterranean style sardines jazzed up with black olives and red peppers. Each brings its own personality: simple olive oil-packed sardines are right at home on a cheese board, our hot sauce version wakes up tacos, and mustard adds tangy depth to potato salad or scrambled eggs.

Rethink the Sardine: New Recipes for Right Now

While we love to let sardines shine all on their own, these unexpected recipes prove what a versatile player this fish can be.

Sardine Fried Egg Toast with Chili Crunch

The chili crunch trend shows no signs of slowing down, and if you’ve got some in your pantry, pull it out, stat. Your favorite spicy oil marries beautifully with tender sardines, avocado, and egg for a breakfast you’ll keep coming back to. Add a handful of delicate baby lettuces or peppery arugula to up your greens content.

Mediterranean Couscous Bowls with Sardine Vinaigrette

Move over anchovies, there’s a new fish making moves on salad dressings: This vinaigrette uses the tangy, lemon-infused oil from our olive oil-packed sardines for a next-level tasty drizzle for couscous, tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. You can apply it to any salad of your choosing (and add in the fish themselves, of course!)

Seafood Curry

Thai spices and sardines? Absolutely. Coconut milk and green curry paste pair perfectly with sardines, shrimp, tilapia and seasonal veggies. Serve over jasmine rice and garnish with a generous heaping of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of zingy lime.

Sardine Garlic Butter Noodles

You’ll never look at your instant ramen noodles the same way again. Toss out the ramen seasoning package, sautée abundant fresh garlic with spinach, soy, sesame, and butter, and fold in your sardines and noodles. Top with the fresh herbs of your choice (we love a sprinkle of mint) for a satisfying, umami-rich dinner that comes together in record time.

Three Bean Salad With Sardines

This is the delicious result when you cross a Greek salad with a three bean salad, then add olive oil-packed sardines for good measure. It’s hearty, it’s light, it comes together in one bowl, and it gets you all the protein you need.