Food - Drink
The Best Way To Eat Sardines, For The Uninitiated
By KYLE GRACE MILLS
Sardines are easy for beginners because they require little prep. Their skin and bones are edible, their heads and tails are removed, and they’re pre-washed and cooked.
The fish are extremely versatile whether served on crackers as a snack, in a hearty lunch like a sardine tuna salad, or in a fancy dinner, like herby, garlic, and sardine pasta.
Sardines packed in water and oil will be dryer and milder than oil-packed sardines, or you can opt for ones packed in sauce or with added aromatics.
The brands Bela and Nuri, Wild Planet, and Matiz Sardines offer particularly high-quality options, while Beach Cliff and Season are cost-effective yet delicious.
Like many other canned goods, unopened sardines can be stored in the pantry for 3 to 5 years, but potentially longer if stored at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
Once opened, a can of sardines is safe to eat for up to one week, but since the taste quality diminishes over time, oil-packed sardines are best within one day of opening.