This Underrated Canned Fish Is the Little Luxury I Need Right Now

As is the case with many under-appreciated ingredients, I have found that many people who say they don’t like sardines simply have not tasted a good sardine. And since we’re all currently leaning on pantry staples to nourish us and making do with what we have and what we can find, I say it’s time to give canned sardines a try.

For me, right now, the humble sardine feels like a little luxury. The Mediterranean varieties have the most adorable packaging and are packed within hours of being caught, so they sustain the fresh brininess of the sea. When I eat them, I envision myself basking in the sun at an outdoor cafe on the coast of Portugal.

In addition to being delicious, sardines are really good for you, too: They’re packed with calcium, protein, B-12, and omega-3 fatty acids. And although good cans of wild caught and fresh-packaged sardines are more expensive than tuna, they’re still very reasonably priced, especially compared to fresh fish. The Portugal-based Bela brand runs around $3.50 per tin, and the Italian Pollastrini brand for around $6. I recommend buying several tins and keeping them in your pantry, so that you can grab them anytime you need a quick snack — or just want to live that Mediterranean good life. 

Sardines come in many different flavors — plain with olive oil, olive oil with lemon, olive oil with piri-piri chili, and, my personal favorite, spicy tomato sauce — and can be enjoyed in so many ways. I love them on top of a Wasa cracker with a healthy shmear of mayo, some dill, and often a sliced Persian cucumber or hard boiled egg (and always a hit of flaky salt). They’re also great piled onto grilled bread with lots of olive oil, or tossed into a pasta dish.

I even love them straight out of the can: Sardines have come to my rescue several times over the past few weeks, especially when I’ve pushed off lunch to the last possible minute. They are the thing I run to when I’m hungry (well, hangry) and need a snack or right now.

Here, I’m sharing my current favorite iteration — a super-quick sammie made with sardines, spicy mayo, and crunchy fennel slaw. Make the slaw with whatever crunchy veggies you have on hand, and any kind of bread will work. Just promise me you’ll give sardines a try.

Read more: 14 Reasons You Should Always Have a Can of Sardines In Your Pantry