Give Sardines A Zesty Upgrade With A Splash Of Acid

If you follow food trends at all you know we are witnessing the rise of the sardine, along with all the different ways to upgrade them. Tinned fish has been one of the hottest snacks in the country for several years now, partially thanks to a social-media-driven recognition that they are the perfect combination of convenient, affordable, healthy, and delicious. This has meant people chowing down on products that were once niche items in the U.S., like canned mackerel and calamari. But of all the popular tinned fish options sardines may be the most accessible. Beyond often being on the cheaper end of canned fish options, and quite widely available in grocery stores, sardines have a salty, rich flavor and a texture that allows for many versatile applications. That's great for people dipping their toes into the tinned fish world who might be put off by strong seafood flavors, but it also means sardines can really benefit from a pop of acid.

Adding a splash of acid to your sardine dish really helps it shine by balancing out the natural flavors. Sardines aren't too pungent, but they are very fatty, with a lot of healthy omega-3s. This is part of what makes them delicious of course, but like any fatty fish a simple squeeze of lemon can go a long way towards waking them up and cutting through that heavier taste. You can even see this in packaged products, as popular canned sardine brands like Fishwife and Nuri offer tinned sardines packed in acidic sauces made with lemon or tomato.

The great thing about acidic upgrades to sardines is that there are plenty of easy additions that will fit the bill. While lemon juice is a classic, sardines pair well with spicy flavors too, and a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce can take any tin from good to great. If you are eating your sardines on toast or crackers try a condiment like mustard. A swipe of tangy Dijon or punchy hot mustard under your sardines will not only liven them up, but add a nice depth of flavor. If you prefer a more hot and smoky direction, a spicy harissa paste will add tons of Mediterranean flavor to every bite of your sardines.

Beyond citrus and sauces, pickled ingredients are another wonderful match for canned sardines. Briny capers are a natural choice, as are your favorite meaty olives. Either one can be chopped up and mashed in with sardines for a tasty spread. And of course a simple but essential option is onions — few things work better with sardines than a little spread of thinly sliced red or white onion. While onions certainly have some bite they aren't as sharply tangy as pickled ingredients, and they will keep the focus on the fish. Or go for the best of both worlds with pickled onions. In fact if you have a favorite pickled ingredient you keep in your pantry, chances are it's going to taste great with sardines.