This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This sardine salad recipe is a simple pantry meal and a fantastic alternative to tuna salad! It’s creamy and has bright fresh herbs to complement the delicious sardines.
I think you’ll also like my Easy Tuna Salad or Canned Salmon Salad next.
Why you’ll love it
Tinned fish is making a big comeback, and for good reason. This canned sardine recipe is inexpensive, easy to whip up and flavorful, and sardines are loaded with goodness like omega-3s for your heart health!
You’ll enjoy these sardine salad sandwiches for a quick and nutritious lunch, or you can make it into lettuce wraps. Pick up a can of sardines and fresh herbs on your next grocery store run, and I bet you have all the other ingredients on hand already.
Did you know?
- Sardines are a small fish that are named after the island of Sardinia in Italy since they have a ton there.
- People have been eating them for centuries because they have loads of nutrients and are abundantly available. They’re a great way to get calcium and vitamin B12!
What you’ll need
- Sardines – I like to buy Crown Prince brand’s Hand packed skinless and boneless sardines in pure olive oil from Trader Joe’s. As with any tinned fish, quality/taste can vary depending on what you buy, so it’s worth trying a few different brands until you find your favorite.
- Mayo – the creamy base
- Red onion – for added crunch
- Herbs – I chose fresh dill and parsley since they’re great with fish for a pop of freshness
- Lemon pepper seasoning – a jar of this is a must-have in my spice rack. It’s zesty and peppery and bright.
- Hot sauce – totally optional, but a little Frank’s Red Hot kicks it up a notch
- Seasoning salt – everything is better with Lawry’s for extra savory flavor!
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I like mixing up this salad in a metal prep bowl.
- If you’re making sandwiches, I recommend this sturdy bread knife for cutting a baguette.
How to make sardine salad
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Drain the sardines, then add to a prep bowl followed by the remaining ingredients. Gently combine with a fork. Give it a taste, and adjust as necessary. Serve as desired.
Substitutions and variations
- This recipe is very flexible! Feel free to add/omit ingredients to your taste or for what’s in your pantry or fridge. Some other ingredients that would be delicious in here include capers, chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped celery, lemon juice or zest, or mustard (try Dijon).
- I’m sure you’re here for an easy sardines recipe, but you could swap the sardines with tuna if you prefer!
What to serve with sardine salad
- It’s great in a sandwich (try a regular one or open faced). I like to serve it with butter lettuce and sliced tomato.
- Of course, you could also enjoy it in a regular or lettuce wrap or even on crackers as a snack.
- Craving a soup and sandwich combo? Try my Easy Tomato Soup or Simple Cream of Broccoli Soup with it.
Leftovers and storage
- Sardine salad will last 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. Make sure to refrigerate it shortly after making it.
- I don’t recommend freezing this one.
Let us know what you think of this canned sardines recipe by leaving a star rating and review below! Questions? Please ask. I’m also on Instagram so you can follow along.
Sardine Salad
Ingredients
- 1 (3.75 ounce) can sardines drained
- 1-2 tablespoons mayo
- 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon chopped dill
- 1/8 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- Hot sauce optional, to taste
- Seasoning salt to taste
- For serving: bread, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.
Instructions
- Drain the sardines then add them to a medium bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mash with a fork to combine. Taste and adjust as needed (e.g. add more salt or mayo… quantities in recipes like this are just a guideline!).
- Serve in bread, lettuce wraps, etc.
Notes
- I add a couple dashes of Frank’s Red Hot. If you’re not a hot sauce fan, you can definitely leave it out!
- I love using Lawry’s Seasoned Salt for extra flavor. Something like Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning would be great in here too, but the salt you usually use will work fine.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
I wasn’t sure about this but I had the ingredients and was feeling lazy – a recurring affliction in old age. It is scrumptious. I will definitely make this often.
I’m thrilled to hear it, Mary!! 😀 Thanks so much for taking the time to write me a review.