Tinned Sardines Are My Go-To Pantry Staple. Here’s Why They Should Be Yours, Too.
When I was very young, my mom used to serve me Saltines with mayo and sardines on top. I loved them so much, I’d always beg her for more. As I got older, though, I started to get teased for the “smelly food” that I ate. It wasn’t long before I became very self-conscious and decided that I didn’t like sardines anymore.
Looking back, I feel really foolish for missing out during that period when I pretended I didn’t like one of my favorite foods. When I eventually decided to dip my toes back into sardine-filled waters, I was transported back to being that little girl who begged my mom for more. I’m just sad it took me so long.
Why Do I Love Tinned Sardines? Let Me Count the Ways.
Unfortunately the act of eating tinned sardines hasn’t exactly caught on with the masses (just yet) in the United States. Popular in Portugal and the Mediterranean, sardines are freshly caught, canned immediately, and a staple in most households. Sardines are extremely nutritious; high in omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and calcium; and are a great, quick source of protein. In addition to their health benefits, sardines are also a sustainable and environmentally friendly seafood option.
Aside from being delicious, nutritious, and good for the environment, sardines are also shelf-stable and pantry-friendly (a benefit that’s not to be taken for granted right now).
How I Use Tinned Sardines
Now that I am grown, I have no fewer than four tins of flavored sardines in my pantry at all times. I stock up on the plain ones packed in olive oil or flavored with lemon or piri-piri (chili peppers) and toss them into pasta, salads, and grain bowls or simply stack them on a sandwich. I also love to eat spicy tomato sardines on top of crackers with mayo and flaky salt (like when I was a kid!) or just right out of the can.
Buy: Bela Sardines, $4.69 for 4.25 ounces
Some brands are better than others, which is why I’m an extremely selective sardine shopper. I have found that the most reliable ones come directly from the Mediterranean or Portugal. My favorite option? The tinned sardines from Bela. Not only are Bela sardines actually canned in Portugal, but they also cost just $3 to $5 a can, as opposed to the $6 to $8 average for other high-quality tinned sardines. It’s a dream of mine to tour Portuguese canneries, and Bela’s sardines are just about as close as I can get right now.
Related: Kitchen Essentials, Grocery Edition