How to Cook Fresh Sardines: Grilling, Frying & More

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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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!

Steps

Buying & Prepping Fresh Sardines

Buy fresh sardines at the grocery store or fish market. Look for whole fish that smell clean. Avoid bruised sardines-you want the best product when you make sardines.Cook Sardines Step 1Bullet1.jpg Stay away from old fish. Aged sardines will have "belly burn," a condition where the guts start to come out of the fish.Cook Sardines Step 1Bullet2.jpg

Scale the sardines by holding them under cold running water. 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.

Gut the sardines 1 at a time by holding the fish in one hand with the belly facing up. To prepare sardines, cut the entire length of the fish's belly with a sharp fillet knife. Remove the innards and discard them.

Remove the bones from the fish. Use the fillet knife to slice along each side of the backbone behind the ribs.Cook Sardines Step 4Bullet1.jpg Cut underneath the ribs of the fresh sardine and slice upward, away from the backbone.Cook Sardines Step 4Bullet2.jpg Use sharp scissors to snip the backbone where it connects to the head and where it meets the tail.Cook Sardines Step 4Bullet3.jpg 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.Cook Sardines Step 4Bullet4.jpg

Rub the fish with lemon juice. To prepare sardines, add a little seasoning, such as salt and pepper.

Grilling Sardines

Turn your grill on. If you use briquettes, give them plenty of time to heat up. The briquettes will be ready when they are almost completely gray.

Brush grape leaves with olive oil. When you make sardines, you want to keep them moist and juicy. Wrap each fish in a grape leaf.

Cook sardines for 5 to 6 minutes on 1 side and then gently turn them over with kitchen tongs.

Frying Sardines

Coat a frying pan with olive oil.

Turn a stove burner on medium and place the pan on it. 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.

Put the sardines in the frying pan, taking care not to splatter the hot oil. Cook sardines on each side for 2 to 4 minutes, turning them over gently with kitchen tongs or a spatula.