How To Eat Sardines 7 Sardine Recipes That Don T Taste Fishy

Sardines add a boatload of flavor and nutrients, spicing up any dish.

Image Credit: Tori Avey Maybe it’s the intense flavor, but canned sardines don’t get the love they deserve. Yet there’s no denying that these tiny but mighty fish pack plenty of perks.

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 "Canned sardines are not only a source of complete protein (around 15 grams per serving for five sardines) that contains all of the essential amino acids, but they also have omega-3 fatty acids (both EPA and DHA) often found in cold water fish," May Zhu, RDN, LDN, founder of Nutrition Happens, tells LIVESTRONG.com.

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  "DHA supports brain and heart health by reducing overall LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol when consumed in place of saturated fats."

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 "Sardines also contain vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous, a combination of vitamins and minerals that are necessary to support healthy bones," Zhu adds.

Plus, sardines are super convenient: “The canning process allows for the fish to be preserved for longer, which makes them a more cost efficient and versatile protein option you can keep in the pantry,” Zhu adds.

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 How to Reduce the Fishy Taste If you’re fearful of the “fishy” taste, don’t be. Just draining the oil in the tin can greatly reduce the fishiness, Zhu says. So can cooking the little fish in complementary flavors. Stewing sardines in sauces or marinades with lots of acids like fresh lemon juice or vinegar and fresh herbs will definitely do the trick, Zhu says.

Whether you’re a new convert or a longtime lover, these seven savory sardine recipes will give you a good reason to crack open a can of these little fish with big flavor.

Persimmon, Pistachio and Turnip Salad With Mustard Greens
Sardines supply the protein for this satisfying salad with root veggies and mustard greens. Image Credit: Seamus Mullen Satiating sardines transform this light salad into a hearty, high-protein meal (23 grams per serving) that also supplies heart-healthy, filling fats like omega-3s. Crunchy pistachios and crumbly Manchego balance the bitter flavor of mustard greens and kale, both rich in vitamins A, K and C, Zhu says.
Advertisement If you’re looking to reduce the overall fat and calorie content, try swapping in shredded parmesan or crumbled feta for the Manchego, Zhu recommends. Get the Persimmon, Pistachio and Turnip Salad With Mustard Greens recipe and nutrition info here.
Shaved Vegetable Salad With Sardines
This sardine-based salad is overflowing with veggies and fruits. Image Credit: Colin Clark From tangy Granny Smith apples to starchy rutabaga, crunchy carrots and creamy avocado, this sardine-based salad, with its abundant assortment of fresh produce, has texture, flavor and plenty of gut-friendly fiber (16 grams per serving). And eating the rainbow — the idea of eating a spectrum of colorful fruits and veggies — promotes nutrient diversity since you ingest a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, which can help support overall health, Zhu says.
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Advertisement Get the Shaved Vegetable Salad With Sardines recipe and nutrition info here.
Mediterranean Sardine Pasta With Lemon, Capers and Chili Flakes
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Sardines and spaghetti make a perfect pair in this Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish. Image Credit: Tori Avey Staple pantry ingredients like zesty lemon, spicy red pepper flakes and fresh herbs provide the simple yet satisfying flavors for this Mediterranean-inspired pasta tossed with savory sardines. A lip-smacking sauce with an olive oil base boasts monounsaturated fats that support heart health, Zhu says.
Advertisement To boost the delicious dish’s fiber content and satiety factor, Zhu suggests using whole-grain spaghetti or pairing with a side of fiber-rich vegetables. Get the Mediterranean Sardine Pasta With Lemon, Capers and Chili Flakes recipe and nutrition info at Tori Avey.
Mini Sardine Fish Cakes
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These mini sardine fish cakes are super spicy, but you can eliminate the heat if you’re not a fan. Image Credit: Champagne Tastes If you like your food a little spicy, these fiery fish cakes — made with chili oil-infused sardines — are for you. Tangy Dijon mustard and cayenne pepper provide an extra piquant kick to the yogurt sauce perfect for dipping.
Advertisement “This recipe would work well for those on a lower carb lifestyle, since one serving contains only 2 grams of carbohydrates,” Zhu says. For a more well-rounded meal, she recommends bumping up the protein content by swapping in Greek yogurt for the plain version and pairing with a side of fiber-rich veggies.
Advertisement Get the Mini Sardine Fish Cakes recipe and nutrition info at Champagne Tastes.
Sardine Rice Bowl
You can swap the rice here for cauliflower rice or riced sweet potato for fewer carbs and more vitamins A and C. Image Credit: Kitchen Gidget Requiring only five minutes of cook time, this fuss-free sardine rice bowl comes together in a cinch and contains all three macronutrients to make it a complete meal, Zhu says. A fried egg on top offers even more protein and textural variation (think: yummy runny yolk) to this belly-filling bowl.
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Tumis Sardines
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These tomato-stewed sardines are best served over pasta or rice to soak up the sauce. Image Credit: Cook Me Indonesian Seasoned with shallots, chilis and garlic, this Indonesian-inspired dish stewed in tomato sauce takes canned seafood to new heights. What’s more, the fat content in sardines will help the vitamin A found in tomatoes absorb better since fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fats and oils, Zhu says. Serve these flavorful fish over whole-grain or legume pasta (such as chickpea, black bean or lentil-based noodles) for even more filling fiber and protein, Zhu recommends. Get the Tumis Sardines recipe at Cook Me Indonesian.
Fisherman’s Sardine Stew
Serve this comforting stew with a side salad and a piece of crusty bread for dipping. Image Credit: Crafty Cooking Mama With bright and layered flavors, this simple Italian fisherman’s stew — made with pantry staples in one pot — proves that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. “Tomato-based stews can be a filling way to have a meal since the majority of the volume comes from water, which can help fill us up faster,” Zhu says. “Tomatoes are also a great source of vitamins C and K and contain lycopene, which works as antioxidant in the body and helps support skin and vision health.” Get the Fisherman’s Sardine Stew recipe at Crafty Cooking Mama.
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Sardines add a boatload of flavor and nutrients, spicing up any dish. Image Credit: Tori Avey

Image Credit: Tori Avey

If you’re fearful of the “fishy” taste, don’t be. Just draining the oil in the tin can greatly reduce the fishiness, Zhu says. So can cooking the little fish in complementary flavors. Stewing sardines in sauces or marinades with lots of acids like fresh lemon juice or vinegar and fresh herbs will definitely do the trick, Zhu says.

Sardines supply the protein for this satisfying salad with root veggies and mustard greens.

Image Credit: Seamus Mullen

Get the Persimmon, Pistachio and Turnip Salad With Mustard Greens recipe and nutrition info here.

This sardine-based salad is overflowing with veggies and fruits.

Image Credit: Colin Clark

Get the Shaved Vegetable Salad With Sardines recipe and nutrition info here.

        Visit Page
        https://toriavey.com    


Sardines and spaghetti make a perfect pair in this Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish.

Image Credit: Tori Avey

Get the Mediterranean Sardine Pasta With Lemon, Capers and Chili Flakes recipe and nutrition info at Tori Avey.

        Visit Page
        https://champagne-tastes.com    


These mini sardine fish cakes are super spicy, but you can eliminate the heat if you're not a fan.

Image Credit: Champagne Tastes

Get the Mini Sardine Fish Cakes recipe and nutrition info at Champagne Tastes.

You can swap the rice here for cauliflower rice or riced sweet potato for fewer carbs and more vitamins A and C.

Image Credit: Kitchen Gidget

Get the Sardine Rice Bowl recipe at Kitchen Gidget.

        Visit Page
        https://www.cookmeindonesian.com    


These tomato-stewed sardines are best served over pasta or rice to soak up the sauce.

Image Credit: Cook Me Indonesian

Get the Tumis Sardines recipe at Cook Me Indonesian.

Serve this comforting stew with a side salad and a piece of crusty bread for dipping.

Image Credit: Crafty Cooking Mama

Get the Fisherman’s Sardine Stew recipe at Crafty Cooking Mama.