How to Cook Fresh Sardines: Grilling, Frying & More

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

When most people think of sardines, a can of salty, marinated fish probably comes to mind. But did you know that it’s easy and quick to cook fresh sardines, too? Sardines contain high levels of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, making the tiny fish a nutritious addition to your favorite meals. In this article, we’ll show you the best ways to prepare these tasty fish on the grill, in the oven, and more. Let’s dive in!

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Buying & Prepping Fresh Sardines

PDF download Download Article
  1. [1]
    • Look for whole fish that smell clean. Avoid bruised sardines-you want the best product when you make sardines.
    • Stay away from old fish. Aged sardines will have "belly burn," a condition where the guts start to come out of the fish.
  2. When you prepare sardines, you want to remove all the rough skin. Rub your fingers back and forth over the sides, brushing off any remaining scales.
    Advertisement
  3. To prepare sardines, cut the entire length of the fish's belly with a sharp fillet knife. Remove the innards and discard them. [2]
  4. [3]
    • Use the fillet knife to slice along each side of the backbone behind the ribs.
    • Cut underneath the ribs of the fresh sardine and slice upward, away from the backbone.
    • Use sharp scissors to snip the backbone where it connects to the head and where it meets the tail.
    • Remove the backbones with your thumb and forefinger before you cook sardines. Start at the tail and move your hand along the bone toward the head. As you move along the spine, lift the bone from the fish.
  5. To prepare sardines, add a little seasoning, such as salt and pepper.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Grilling Sardines

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you use briquettes, give them plenty of time to heat up. The briquettes will be ready when they are almost completely gray. [4]
  2. When you make sardines, you want to keep them moist and juicy. Wrap each fish in a grape leaf.
  3. [5]
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Frying Sardines

PDF download Download Article
  2. Let the pan warm up for 3 to 5 minutes. To prepare sardines with a little more zest, dice up an onion and sauté it for 4 minutes before you add the fish.
  3. Cook sardines on each side for 2 to 4 minutes, turning them over gently with kitchen tongs or a spatula.
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Broiling Sardines

PDF download Download Article
  1. Prepare sardines for broiling by rubbing them with olive oil.
  2. 2
    Set the fresh sardines on a double-broiler pan and then put them in middle rack of the oven.
  3. 3
    Cook sardines for 5 to 10 minutes, watching them to make sure they do not burn. [6]
    4. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Baking Sardines

PDF download Download Article
  4. [7]
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Do I have to gut sardines?
    Community Answer
    If you are cooking them whole as in the photo, you do not need to gut them. Just rub off the scales with a cloth or paper towel, then wash and pat dry. If they are not too big, you can eat everything; otherwise, they come off the bone easily once cooked.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 35
  • Question
    What do I do with the heads?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    You can cook and eat the heads of sardines. There are a number of Chinese recipes that call for fish heads or deep fry them. You can make a fumet or fish stock from the heads and bones. You can feed them to your cats or dogs, or you can throw them out, which would be a waste.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 10
  • Question
    Do I need to gut the sardines before I cook them?
    Community Answer
    If you are cooking them whole as in the photo, then you do not need to gut them. Just rub off the scales with a cloth or paper towel. Wash and pat dry. If they are not too big, you can eat everything, but otherwise they come off the bone easily once cooked.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 16
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Fresh sardines
      • Cold running water
      • Sharp fillet knife
      • Sharp scissors
      • Lemon juice
      • Grill or oven
      • Olive oil
      • Grape leaves
      • Salt
      • Pepper
      • Frying pan, double-broiler or baking dish
      • Onion
      • Kitchen tongs
      • Spatula
      • Oven mitt


      You Might Also Like

      Is Your Fish Good to Eat? Signs of Spoilage & Storage Tips
      How to
      Eat Mussels
      Easy Ways to Store Mussels in the Refrigerator & Freezer
      The Best Methods to Cook Frozen Sea or Bay Scallops
      How to
      Clean/Gut a Fish
      How to
      Cook Smoked Haddock
      How to
      Eat Sea Urchins
      The Best Ways to Cook Catfish
      3 Delicious Ways to Cook Wahoo (Ono)
      How to
      Store Fresh Oysters
      How to
      Cook Fish Roe
      The Best Way to Peel and Eat Boiled Crawfish
      How to
      Clean Octopus
      How to
      Poach Fish in Milk
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://seafood.edf.org/buying-fish-what-you-need-know
      2. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2018/04/how-to-clean-and-fillet-fresh-sardines.html
      3. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2018/04/how-to-clean-and-fillet-fresh-sardines.html
      4. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/the-art-of-summer-grilling/
      5. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/10/grilled-sardines-lemon-garlic-paprika.html
      6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-broiled-15167
      7. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/baked-sardines-in-pepperonata
      8. http://fishcooking.about.com/od/littlefish/p/sardine_profile.htm
      9. http://chestofbooks.com/food/recipes/How-To-Cook-Fish/Twenty-Ways-To-Cook-Sardines.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To cook sardines, start by getting fresh sardines that smell clean and don't look damaged. Rinse the sardines by holding them under running water and rubbing your fingers back and forth across their skin to remove their scales. You should also remove the guts and backbone with a pair of kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Once they are prepped, rub the fish with some lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Then, place them in a hot pan with some olive oil, cooking for 2 to 4 minutes per side or until the flesh is flaky. To learn how to bake or grill sardines, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 343,192 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Reg Tulsa

        Dec 23, 2016

        "Other than sardines in a can, we have not prepared them before. Saw fresh sardines at a local seafood shop and ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement