How to Cook Fresh Sardines: Grilling, Frying & More

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

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1
Buy fresh sardines at the grocery store or fish market.^{[1]
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- 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.
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.

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To prepare sardines, cut the entire length of the fish's belly with a sharp fillet knife. Remove the innards and discard them.^{[2]
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Remove the bones from the fish.^{[3]
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- 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.
To prepare sardines, add a little seasoning, such as salt and pepper.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Grilling Sardines

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

Method 3 of 5:

Frying Sardines

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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.
Cook sardines on each side for 2 to 4 minutes, turning them over gently with kitchen tongs or a spatula.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Broiling Sardines

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Prepare sardines for broiling by rubbing them with olive oil.
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Set the fresh sardines on a double-broiler pan and then put them in middle rack of the oven.
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Cook sardines for 5 to 10 minutes, watching them to make sure they do not burn.^{[6]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Baking Sardines

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Community Q&A

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Do I have to gut sardines?

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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.

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What do I do with the heads?

Michele

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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.

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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.

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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
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Tips

If you can't find grape leaves to grill your fresh sardines, try fig leaves or cabbage.

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Add garlic or green peppers to the fresh sardines for additional flavor.

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Make sardines the day you buy them-they rot faster than any other type of fish.

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Warnings

Never freeze fresh sardines.

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Be careful when you cook with oil. If it splatters, it can cause severe burns or start a fire.

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