What to Serve with Sardines? 15 Best Side Dishes

Sardines, those small, oily fish, are nutritional powerhouses packed with flavor. Whether you enjoy them grilled, canned, or smoked, sardines deliver a distinct taste of the sea that’s both savory and rich. But to create a truly satisfying meal, finding the perfect side dishes is key.

If you’re wondering What To Serve With Sardines, look no further. We’ve curated a list of 15 incredible side dishes that complement sardines beautifully, adding a variety of textures, flavors, and freshness to your dining experience.

Canned sardines with lemon and herbs, ready to be served with delicious side dishes

Want a quick guide?

The best pairings for sardines include a refreshing garden salad, crispy potato wedges, warm pita bread, flavorful sautéed mushrooms, crunchy seed crackers, creamy avocado salad, healthy steamed broccoli, zesty tomato bruschetta, comforting tomato tortellini soup, light couscous salad, smoky grilled zucchini, vibrant roasted beet salad, bright lemon rice, savory garlic spinach, and hearty herb-roasted potatoes.

Let’s dive into these delicious options and explore why they work so well with sardines.

1. Garden Salad

Fresh garden salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce, a light side dish for sardines

A classic garden salad is always a winning choice. The crispness of lettuce, the juicy burst of tomatoes, and the cool cucumbers, all lightly dressed with a vinaigrette, provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of sardines. This simple salad cuts through the oily nature of the fish, offering a balanced and nutritious side dish that’s both light and satisfying. The fresh vegetables help cleanse the palate, making each bite of sardine as enjoyable as the first.

2. Potato Wedges

Crispy potato wedges seasoned with herbs, a hearty side dish to serve with sardines

For a more substantial and comforting side, potato wedges are an excellent match. These golden and crispy potatoes, whether baked, air-fried, or traditionally fried, offer a satisfyingly hearty texture that pairs wonderfully with the delicate sardines. Seasoned with your favorite herbs like rosemary, thyme, or paprika, potato wedges provide a savory and familiar flavor. A dip of tartar sauce or aioli can elevate this pairing even further, adding a creamy and tangy element that complements both the potatoes and the fish.

3. Pita Bread

Warm pita bread, a versatile side to enjoy with sardines

Soft, warm pita bread is a versatile and delightful accompaniment to sardines. Its slightly chewy texture and mild flavor make it perfect for scooping up sardines directly, or for creating a simple and satisfying sardine sandwich. Add some fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and a squeeze of lemon to your pita pocket for a light and flavorful meal. Pita bread’s neutrality allows the taste of the sardines to shine, while providing a comforting and easy-to-eat format.

4. Sautéed Mushrooms

Sautéed mushrooms with garlic and herbs, an earthy side dish for sardines

Sautéed mushrooms bring a rich, earthy depth to your sardine meal. Cooked with garlic, butter, and herbs like thyme or parsley, mushrooms develop a savory and umami-rich flavor profile. Their tender texture and deep, woodsy taste provide a fantastic contrast to the saltiness of sardines. This pairing is particularly delicious when served alongside grilled or pan-fried sardines, creating a sophisticated and flavorful dish.

5. Seed Crackers

Crunchy seed crackers, a healthy and textured side for sardines

For those seeking a healthy and crunchy option, seed crackers are an outstanding choice. Packed with a variety of seeds and grains like flax, sesame, and sunflower, these crackers offer a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor that complements sardines beautifully. They are perfect for adding texture to your meal and can be enjoyed on their own with sardines, or topped with a smear of cream cheese or a flavorful dip for added indulgence.

6. Avocado Salad

An avocado salad introduces a creamy and refreshing element to balance the richness of sardines. Ripe avocados, combined with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp red onions, and a zesty squeeze of lemon or lime, create a light yet satisfying side dish. The smooth, buttery texture of avocado is a wonderful contrast to the firm sardines, and the citrus dressing brightens the overall flavor profile, preventing the meal from feeling too heavy.

7. Steamed Broccoli

Steamed broccoli florets, a healthy green vegetable side dish for sardines

Steamed broccoli is a simple, healthy, and flavorful side that adds both color and nutrition to your sardine plate. Lightly seasoned with just salt, pepper, and perhaps a drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon, broccoli’s mild bitterness provides a pleasant counterpoint to the richness of sardines. Its tender-crisp texture offers a nice bite, and it’s a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your meal while keeping things light and healthy.

8. Tomato Bruschetta

Tomato bruschetta with fresh basil on toasted bread, a zesty side for sardines

Tomato bruschetta brings a burst of fresh, tangy, and crispy flavors that pair excellently with sardines. Ripe, diced tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, served atop toasted slices of bread, create a vibrant and flavorful side dish. The crunch of the bread, the juicy tomatoes, and the aromatic basil all work together to cut through the oiliness of the sardines, adding brightness and textural contrast to each bite.

9. Couscous Salad

A couscous salad offers a light, fluffy, and refreshing grain-based side dish. Prepared with diced vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and red onion, tossed with olive oil, fresh herbs like parsley and mint, and a lemon vinaigrette, couscous salad is both flavorful and nutritious. The delicate texture of the couscous contrasts nicely with the meaty sardines, and the fresh herbs enhance the overall brightness of the dish, making it a perfect choice for a lighter meal.

10. Tomato Tortellini Soup

Tomato tortellini soup in a bowl, a warm and comforting side dish for sardines

For a comforting and heartwarming option, tomato tortellini soup is a wonderful companion to sardines. The rich tomato broth, combined with soft, cheese-filled tortellini, creates a satisfying and flavorful soup. The warmth and richness of the soup provide a comforting contrast to the distinct flavor of sardines, making it an ideal pairing for cooler days or when you crave a more substantial meal. The slight acidity of the tomatoes also helps to balance the oiliness of the fish.

11. Grilled Zucchini

Grilled zucchini brings a smoky and slightly sweet flavor that complements sardines beautifully. Seasoned simply with garlic powder, herbs like oregano or thyme, and a touch of olive oil, grilled zucchini develops a tender texture with slightly charred edges. The smoky notes from grilling enhance the natural sweetness of the zucchini, creating a delightful and healthy side dish that’s both easy to prepare and full of flavor.

12. Roasted Beet Salad

A roasted beet salad offers a colorful and flavorful side that’s both visually appealing and delicious with sardines. Roasted beets, with their earthy sweetness, combined with creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a tangy honey-mustard dressing, create a multi-layered flavor experience. The earthiness of the beets and the creaminess of the goat cheese provide a lovely counterpoint to the salty taste of sardines, while the walnuts add a welcome crunch.

13. Lemon Rice

Lemon rice is a bright, zesty, and aromatic side dish that works exceptionally well with sardines. Infused with lemon zest and juice, and often mixed with fresh parsley or cilantro, lemon rice is light, fluffy, and full of citrusy flavor. The tanginess of the lemon cuts through the richness of the sardines, while the rice provides a satisfying and comforting base for the meal. This pairing is especially refreshing and perfect for warmer weather.

14. Garlic Spinach

Sautéed garlic spinach is a quick, nutritious, and flavorful side dish that pairs effortlessly with sardines. Spinach, wilted to perfection with garlic and a hint of nutmeg or red pepper flakes, offers a savory and slightly earthy flavor. The robust garlic complements the taste of sardines without overpowering it, and the tender spinach provides a healthy dose of greens in a simple and delicious way. It’s a great last-minute side dish that’s ready in minutes.

15. Herb Roasted Potatoes

Herb-roasted potatoes are a classic and comforting side dish that provides a hearty and satisfying counterpoint to sardines. Crisped to golden perfection in the oven and tossed with aromatic herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano, along with olive oil and garlic, these potatoes are bursting with savory flavor. Their rustic charm and satisfying texture make them an excellent match for the rich and salty sardines, creating a well-rounded and delicious meal.

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