Sardines on Toast

Make these delicious Sardines on Toast for an easy, quick, and cheap lunch. Or an appetizer that you can serve at any family gathering, or your holiday table.

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By: Diana Published on July 17, 2021

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Make these delicious Sardines on Toast for an easy, quick, and cheap light lunch. Or an appetizer that you can serve at any family gathering, or your holiday table. Toasted garlicky bread, topped with fresh and ripe tomatoes, salty and tangy capers, canned sardines, and fresh basil leaves.

Sardines on Toast with tomato slices, capers, and basil.

Canned sardines are a staple in our house. My Mom served them for a quick meal with some toasted bread on busy days when I was a child, and the tradition stayed with me.

I buy canned sardines in tomato and chili, or just the plain oil-packed type. Sardines work so well not just for appetizers, but also make a great lunch or dinner when paired with creamy mashed potatoes, toasted bread, or a simple salad. There are many great sardine recipes out there, but here’s my personal favorite!

What do Sardines Taste Like?

If you’ve never had sardines before, sardine’s flesh is quite dense, they’re meaty, rich, and oily. The flesh is tender and flaky, and it’s not overly fishy which is a big plus in my books.

To me, sardines are quite similar to herring and mackerel.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy – Sardines on toast is a very simple recipe, very similar to bruschetta, you only need a few ingredients and nice toasted bread.
Cheap – Canned sardines are very cheap. A 4-ounce can costs just $2-3 in the US, in the UK a 100-gram can costs around £1. They’re easy to find at grocery stores at the canned food aisle.
Versatile Recipe – I’m giving you a basic recipe here, but you can personalize it and use your favorite toppings or whatever is available.

Four sardine toasts on a white plate with fresh basil leaves and lemon slices

Ingredients In Recipe

Sardines: I buy sardines packed in olive oil, and always check the ingredients before buying. The one that I buy contains just three ingredients: sardines, olive oil, and salt.
Bread: I like to use Italian or French bread, but you can use any bread that you like or have available.
Tomato: Fresh ripe tomatoes that are sliced or diced. If they’re overly juicy, get rid of the excess juice before adding to your toast.
Onion: I like to use red onion as it gives a lovely crunch to the toasts.
Capers: Sardines and capers are a match made in heaven! Capers are lemony, olivey, briney, and salty.
Lemon and Garlic: The garlic clove is rubbed on the toast to give it a wonderful flavor. And the lemon is drizzled over the fish, you can also use the lemon zest if you like.
Olive Oil: Use cold pressed extra virgin olive oil if you can.
Salt and Black Pepper: To season the dish.
Basil: You need fresh basil leaves that are chopped in chiffonade for a great presentation and for added flavor.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Ingredients needed to make sardines on toast

How To Make Recipe

Slice the Italian or French bread diagonally into 1/2″ inch slices.
Place on a sheet pan, spray or brush with extra virgin olive oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) until they’re golden (takes around 5-7 minutes). You can just drizzle the oil or use an oil mister. This is the oil mister that I use, I love it as I can fill it up with my oil of choice.
Once the toasts are out of the oven, and cool enough to handle. Rub the toasts with the cloves of garlic to give it a garlicky flavor (don’t skip this step!). Set aside.
Prep the rest of the ingredients; slice the tomatoes and onion, roughly chop the capers, and chiffonade the basil.
Top the toasts with tomato, onion, add the sardines, and capers. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with basil.

Collage with four images how to make sardine toasts

Tip!

Canned sardines in tomato juice can be used in this recipe, just make sure to drain the sardines and skip the fresh tomatoes.

Storing Tips

To make ahead, you can toast the bread one day ahead and store it in an airtight container. If it’s as crispy as you like it on the next day, just crisp it up in the oven or Air Fryer before serving.

I don’t recommend freezing the topping, but the bread toasts freeze very well.

Frequently Asked Questions Sardines

Are sardines on toast good for you?

Sardines are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Serving sardines on toast makes a light meal that you can enjoy for lunch or snack.

What is the best way to eat sardines?

Sardines are delicious and safe to be eaten straight from the can. Add them to your sandwiches, salads, pizza, pasta, in tacos, or just serve them with a side of mashed potatoes or rice and steamed veg.

Can you eat tinned sardines cold?

Yes, sardines can be eaten straight from the can.

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