Easy Canned Sardines in Spicy Sauce
Canned Sardines in Spicy Sauce are a tasty and convenient treat that can be eaten alone or enjoyed with chips, crackers, bread, plantains, yam, or potatoes.
Sardines are a superfood that has been enjoyed for many years. A healthy, portable, and convenient source of protein, sardines are packed with essential Omega-3 fatty acids. Our tasty Canned Sardines in Spicy Sauce is a spicy kick that makes conserving sardines easy. Canned and ready to eat, they’re the perfect addition to salads, sandwiches, or straight from the can with a few drops of lemon juice and NouBess hot and spicy sauce.

What are the health benefits of canned sardines?
We all eat canned tuna or salmon for lunch or dinner sometimes. Canned sardines are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and contain calcium and other vital nutrients. Sardines also contain protein which helps maintain healthy bones and muscles and a robust immune system.
How to store canned sardines
Sardines in oil or water should be stored in the refrigerator after opening to preserve their quality and taste. Using a BPA-free plastic storage bowl or glass bowl is also best.
How to use canned sardines
Sardines are a staple in many diets worldwide and for a good reason. They’re delicious, nutritious, and easy to prepare. Canned Sardines make it easy to enjoy sardines without buying fresh ones or preparing them yourself. You can enjoy them as a snack or a meal with other dishes. You can eat them straight out of the can or use them as a side dish with rice or pasta. Add them to salads or sandwiches, and in the same way, you enjoy a tuna salad or tuna fish sandwich.
If you want a snack, try spreading some cream cheese on toast, sprinkling ground black pepper, then topping with sardines. This can also be done with crackers or vegetables as an appetizer before dinner.
How to Make Canned Sardines in Spicy Sauce recipe
One of the best things about canned sardines is that they are easy to prepare. Another great thing about this recipe is using the oil the sardines are packed in to make the spicy Sauce.
The ingredients you need
- Canned Sardines: the recipe is prepared with sardines packed in olive oil. If you prefer using sardines that are packed in water, you will need to add oil to make the sauce.
- Shallots: use red onion and scallions if preferred. White onion is a good option as well.
- Lemon Juice: this ingredient is very important. Do not omit it. All fish need a little bit of acidity.
- Ground Black Pepper: adds a little kick to the sauce.
- NouBess hot and Spicy Sauce or Fresh Chili Peppers: both ingredients will add some serious flavor to the




To make the recipe
- You will need a skillet large enough to hold the sardines and do not overcrowd them. First, drain the oil from the sardines. Add the oil to a heated pan under low to medium heat.
- You will then add the shallots and NouBess hot sauce or the fresh chili peppers (if using) to cook for 1 – 2 minutes. Add the sardines, ground black pepper, and lemon juice. Gently stir the mixture and be careful not to break the sardines. Let cook for 3 – 5 minutes and remove from the heat.
- Serve with boiled plantains, a salad of watercress and tomatoes, and avocado, just as many Haitians enjoy it.
The best part? It only takes 15 minutes to make! If you’re looking for a side dish that’s just as tasty as it is healthy, look no further than this spicy canned sardines recipe.

Note and Tips
- This recipe calls for sardines in oil. If you use sardines in water, add oil when making the sauce.
- Not all cans of sardines are the same. Choose your preferred brand.
- Places like Costco and Bj’s sell canned sardines at a better price. It might be best to buy them in bulk. You can also compare the prices on Amazon.
- Do not cook the sauce too long.
- Using a skillet rather than a saucepan is better; stirring will be much easier.
- You can make a sauce with any spices you want. The taste will be different at all times. This recipe is very simple and easy to make. No special ingredients are required.
- You can enjoy the recipe with bread, rice, polenta, millet, bulgur wheat, boiled potatoes, plantains, or yam.
- Sardines are small in size. A can of sardines usually serves one person and a maximum of two, depending on how you prepare and serve them. For this recipe, we used three cans, therefore 3 – 4 servings.
Takeaway: Sardines are one of the most nutritious foods on Earth; they are full of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids that can improve your health.
Canned Sardines in Spicy Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 – 4.375 oz Cans of Sardines in Olive Oil Certified Wild Caught & Sustainable Fresh Fish, oil drained separately in a bowl
- 2 Shallots sliced, or red onion or white onion
- fresh lemon juice a few drops
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- NouBess Hot and Spicy Sauce to taste or Fresh Chili Pepper
Instructions
- You will need a skillet large enough to hold the sardines, and do not overcrowd them. First, drain the oil from the sardines. Add the oil to a heated pan under low to medium heat.
- You will then add the shallots and NouBess hot sauce or the fresh chili peppers (if using) to cook for 1 – 2 minutes. Add the sardines, ground black pepper, and lemon juice. Gently stir the mixture and be careful not to break the sardines. Let cook for 3 – 5 minutes and remove from the heat.
- Serve with boiled plantains, a salad of watercress and tomatoes, and avocado, just as many Haitians enjoy it.
Notes
- This recipe calls for sardines in oil. If you use sardines in water, add oil when making the sauce. Not all cans of sardines are the same. Choose your preferred brand.
- Places like Costco and Bj’s sell canned sardines at a better price. It might be best to buy them in bulk. You can also compare the prices on Amazon.
- Do not cook the sauce too long. Using a skillet rather than a saucepan is better; stirring will be much easier.
- You can make a sauce with any spices you want. The taste will be different at all times.
- This recipe is very simple and easy to make. No special ingredients are required.
- You can enjoy the recipe with bread, rice, polenta, millet, bulgur wheat, boiled potatoes, plantains, or yam.
- Sardines are small in size. A can of sardines usually serves one person and a maximum of two, depending on how you prepare and serve them. For this recipe, we used three cans, therefore 3 – 4 servings.
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.