Grilled Sardines with Green Chile Sauce

(7)

A Note from Feedfeed

This recipe is featured in our Recipe of the Day Newsletter. Sign up for it here to have our test kitchen-approved recipes delivered to your inbox!

Living in New York has its perks, but one thing I miss about living in the 'burbs is having a backyard with a grill. But all my dreams came true when we got one for FeedfeedBrooklyn this summer. What I’ve learned from my very short stints at grilling is that *usually* seafood is easy to cook and very hard to mess up. Case in point: I grilled these sardines and served them with a spicy cilantro garlic sauce in less than 30 minutes! Sardines get a bad rap because they are a bony fish and can be a challenge to eat, but with a little effort, you get to enjoy the most delicious charred flaky meat. These little suckers are packed with flavor for the perfect entertaining stunner. 

Canned sardines are available all year round at the grocery store, but look for fresh sardines at your local fish monger. To prep, pat dry with a paper towel and skewer before grilling. Since sardines are a naturally oily fish, you need not drizzle any extra fat while cooking them. The sauce is super easy to make, you just need to throw all the ingredients into a mini food processor, which results in a fragrant and flavor-packed combination for your fish. This condiment honestly goes well on anything, from grain bowls to eggs and everything in between!

Next time you need something for a hungry crowd make these Grilled Sardines with Spicy Green Herb sauce!

 

Recipe and Headnote Rachel Gurjar

Jump to Section
  • Recipe Card
Prep time 15mins
Cook time 5mins
Serves or Makes: 4-6

Recipe Card

ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
  • 1/2 tablespoon Simply Organic Whole Cumin Seed, toasted and ground with a mortar and pestle
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted and ground with a mortar and pestle
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 serrano green chiles, stemmed
  • 1 bunch cilantro, leaves and stems
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 pounds sardines, cleaned, scaled and gutted

Method

  • Step 1

    In a food processor, add lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garlic, green chilies, cilantro and salt, then pulse into a coarse paste. Add vegetable oil and process until a smooth sauce forms. Adjust seasoning with salt and set aside.

  • Step 2

    Skewer each sardine, then season with salt. Light a grill (or heat a cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat). Grill sardines, flipping once, until charred and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.

  • Step 3

    To serve, place grilled sardines on a platter, drizzle green sauce and serve immediately with lemon wedges.