Sardine Sandwich with Spicy Mayo

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Tired of tuna sandwiches? Grab the humble canned sardines and make this incredibly satisfying open-faced sardine sandwich with spicy mayo sauce! This sandwich is our family's go-to canned sardine recipe for a quick protein rich lunch that we can't get enough! It's easy to make and so fresh!

sardine sandwich with canned sardines cucumbers tomatoes and sourdough bread

Table of Contents

CANNED SARDINE SANDWICH RECIPE

This canned sardine sandwich takes the humble can of sardines and elevates to add fresh ingredients, but also a spicy mayo sauce that's irresistible. Seriously, the crunch with the fresh, with the little fishies, and a juicy sauce... You can see how it quickly became our go-to lunch on busy days!

Yet it's completely realistic and achievable to make with ingredients you likely have on hand.

I always have sardines in my pantry. They're full of nutrients, protein, fatty acids, and other vitamins and minerals - which is one of the biggest perks of eating seafood in general. My favorite perk, is that they're shelf stable and can easily be whipped up for a quick protein rich and healthy meal.

We love quick and easy meals and have quite a few of quick seafood recipes on here, and canned seafood makes it much easier when you have just a few minutes to prepare a quick meal with minimal effort. Some of my favorites are this tuna pesto pasta, tuna dip, and this tuna melt wrap.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

FAST & EASY! Seriously, this one of my go-to trusted recipes to whip up for a last minutes dinner or a quick lunch. It's full of flavor and nutritious with minimal ingredients that you already have in your fridge.
HEALTHY. Sardines are high in Omega-3s, and with the added veggies you're getting a nutritious, and super simple sandwich. Win win!
FLAVORS WORK WELL TOGETHER. The best condiment pairing for canned sardines is.... hot sauce, from personal experience. They're a popular go-to snack in my household and we're found a good hot sauce gives them added flavor and a little kick that pairs well. So, it was a natural condiment to use in this sandwich.
CRUNCHY! The toasted bread is a must, but also adding sliced cucumber compliments the fish by creating a fresh and crunchy element.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

BREAD. Preferably sourdough because that's a go-to in our household to provide added flavor. Any other artisan or sliced bread will work, so go with your favorite. Make sure you have butter or oil on hand to toast the bread.
CANNED SARDINES. Preferably, use a tin that's packed in oil. They provide a more rich and smooth taste, and added flavor to the sandwich.
VEGGIES. You'll need sliced cucumber, sliced tomatoes, and diced green onions that's sprinkled on top for added flavor and of course, a little pop of color.
CONDIMENTS. You'll need mayo, and sriracha, or another hot sauce of your choice. The sauce is slightly spicy, not too overboard and creates the perfect flavor balance between the fresh veggies and the flavor-rich sardines.

HOW TO MAKE A SARDINE SANDWICH

First, you'll want to toast the bread. Slather salted butter, and toast to your liking.

While the bread is toasting, let's whip up the spicy mayo sauce. In a small bowl, add the mayo and hot sauce, I like to use sriracha. Mix until well combined.

Slice cucumbers thinly, and the beef steak tomatoes. Open the tin of sardines and drain excess oil.

To the toast, add a good slather of sauce, then top with cucumber, then tomato slices. Using a fork, carefully scoop the sardines from the tin and top them to the sandwich. Sprinkle diced green onions to top.

Top with a squeeze of lemon or hot sauce, is optional.

If you prefer to close the sandwich, then top with another piece of toast with sauce on it.

EXPERT TIPS

Make and serve immediately. Enjoy the sandwich fresh!
Use quality sardines. The highlight in this absolutely delicious sandwich is the canned sardines. Choosing a good quality brand will make all the difference to elevating canned sardine recipes.
Seeking more flavor? Add a squeeze of lemon or hot sauce for extra flavor. You can't go wrong with hot sauce on sardines, it's one of my favorite way to enjoy them.

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Add other veggies like lettuce or micro greens.
Not into spicy? Use a dijon mustard instead of hot sauce.
Love avocado? Me too! Add it on the sandwich or substitute it with another veggie.
Use another type of bread instead of sourdough in this sandwich.

FAQ

How often can you eat sardines?

Canned sardines can be eaten as much as a couple times each week. Though, the exact amount will depend on your health conditions, and dietary restrictions. They often pack a high level of sodium to be aware of. They're also highly nutritious and can provide omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Can I use fresh sardines instead of canned ones?

Yes. While canned sardines are convenient and readily available, you can use fresh sardines if you prefer. Just make sure to clean and debone them before adding them into your sandwich.

Can I make a sardine sandwich ahead of time?

Yes. You can make them at most an hour before serving and storing them in the fridge. Making them any earlier than that may cause the bread to become soggy from the sauce and veggies. To keep the entire sandwich as fresh as possible, make it as close to serving as possible.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH A SARDINE SANDWICH

Appetizer: I love pairing this with hummus, or mutabal.
Side Dish: Try this Fried Feta and Strawberry Salad alongside!
Drink: Pair this recipe with this spicy mango margarita, or this blueberry lemon drop martini! Or try a dry white wine, like a Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, or Viognier. Cheers!

OTHER CANNED FISH RECIPES

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! When you make this dish, please RATE using the ⭐️stars, and COMMENT at the end of the page. I love connecting with you in the comments section.

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