Spanish Sardines on Toast Recipe

Introduction

Spanish sardines on toast is a quick and flavorful dish that combines the zestiness of lemon and heat from chilli with the richness of sardines. Perfect for a light lunch or an easy snack, this recipe brings together simple ingredients for a satisfying bite.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 2 x 120g cans sardines in sunflower oil, drained
• 4 slices brown bread
• Half small bunch parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat, then add the chopped garlic and red chilli. Sizzle gently until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, then add the lemon zest and stir for another 30 seconds.
2. Step 2: Add the drained sardines to the pan and heat through for a few minutes until warmed, being careful not to break them up too much.
3. Step 3: While the sardines warm, toast the slices of brown bread until crisp.
4. Step 4: Stir the chopped parsley into the sardines and add a good squeeze of lemon juice. Divide the sardine mixture evenly over the toasted bread and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use crusty sourdough instead of brown bread for a heartier texture.
• Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.
• Freeze leftover sardines mixed with the lemon and herbs for a quick future snack.

Storage

Store any leftover sardine mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan or microwave before serving. Toast is best served fresh, so toast new slices when ready to eat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh sardines instead of canned?

Fresh sardines can be used but require cleaning and cooking beforehand. This recipe is designed for canned sardines, which offer convenience and consistent flavor.

What if I don’t like spicy food?

You can omit the red chilli or replace it with a small pinch of mild paprika or leave it out entirely for a milder version.

Spanish Sardines on Toast Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 61 reviews

A simple and flavorful Spanish sardines on toast recipe featuring sardines cooked with garlic, chili, and lemon, served on toasted brown bread with fresh parsley for a quick and healthy meal or snack.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Spanish

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sardines Mixture

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 2 x 120g cans sardines in sunflower oil, drained
• half small bunch parsley, chopped

To Serve

• 4 slices brown bread

Instructions

1. Heat the oil: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat until hot.
2. Sizzle garlic and chili: Add the chopped garlic clove and red chili to the pan and sizzle for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
3. Add lemon zest: Stir in the lemon zest and cook for another 30 seconds to release the citrus aroma.
4. Add sardines: Add the drained sardines to the pan and gently break them up while heating through for 2-3 minutes until warmed.
5. Toast bread: While the sardines are heating, toast the 4 slices of brown bread until golden and crisp.
6. Mix parsley and lemon juice: Remove the pan from heat, stir the chopped parsley into the sardines, and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor.
7. Assemble and serve: Divide the sardine mixture evenly over the toasted bread slices and serve immediately.

Notes

• Use fresh parsley for best flavor, though coriander or basil can be substituted.
• Adjust the amount of chili to your heat preference or omit if sensitive to spice.
• Draining the sardines well prevents the toast from becoming soggy.
• Serve with a green salad for a light lunch or simple dinner.
• Can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free bread.

Keywords: Spanish sardines, sardines on toast, quick snack, garlic chili sardines, seafood toast, easy Spanish recipe