Sardines are a great alternative to a tuna sandwich, though you can make this sandwich with any type of canned fish that you have in your pantry. Varieties, such as anchovies and mackerel, pair well with the flavors of the recipe above, but we like the briny flavor sardines bring to this dish.
Ideally, you want to use sardines that have been packed in olive oil. The oil helps to preserve the freshness of the flavors and will make the tastiest sandwich.
Though we haven’t included it in the recipe above, you can add a dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the sardine mix to enhance the flavors. Citrus brightens and brings out the taste of the sardines, and is a welcome addition to most seafood dishes.
We’ve shared a base recipe for a sardine sandwich above, but many chefs will introduce lots of other lunchtime ingredients, such as sliced boiled eggs or cucumber, to bring softer or firmer textures to the sandwich.
We’ve also only included mayonnaise in our sardine sandwich mixture, but some recipes will include Greek yogurt in this step. Greek yogurt brings a tangier flavor to the sandwich, and you can play around with what works for your palate.
You could even use a combination of both mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, blending the creamy indulgence of the mayonnaise with the sharper flavor of the yogurt. Lastly, sour cream can also be interchanged for mayonnaise, helping to mellow out some of the stronger flavor notes of the sardines.
Types of Bread and Garnish Suggestions
For the best sardine sandwich, we’ve recommended using sourdough bread to bring a soft texture and add complexity to the recipe with its tangy flavors. But you could opt for a crunchier variety, such as a French baguette, if you’d like a firmer texture for your sandwich.
Or it’s possible to use a whole wheat loaf, if this is the style that you usually have available in your kitchen. Whichever type of bread you choose, make sure you do toast it. This helps to prevent it from becoming soggy when you spread the sardine mix onto the bread.
For the garnish, you can keep it simple with a few slices of shredded lettuce or sliced scallions. For even more color, consider adding a dash of sriracha sauce, which will also bring a pleasant spiciness to balance the savory, briny notes of the sardines. Dill is a classic herb to turn to for sardines, as its bright flavor complements the richness of the fish.
How to Elevate the Presentation
If you’re serving this sandwich to guests for a special lunch at home, then you can elevate the presentation by slicing the sandwich prior to serving, and placing it on its side on the plate to reveal the colorful filling of the sandwich.
Plate with a fresh green salad and thin lemon wheels for a touch of elegance and color on the plate. A final sprinkling of dill adds a complex and fresh brightness to the dish.
