Grilled Sardines with Salt

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Sometimes it’s the simplest of recipes that are right up there with the best. These grilled sardines with salt are most definitely one of them. This is an easy recipes from southern Spain that you’ve got to try if you haven’t already.

Grilled sardines with salt served on a plate with lemon wedges.

About this grilled sardines recipe.

One of my favourite places on earth is Nerja, Spain. My family and I stay there often and one of our first stops is to the beach where we order salt crusted grilled sardines and a few other seafood dishes.

This recipe is simple but it is its simplicity that makes it so good. The sardines are generously salted and then charred next to a fire of olive wood. As they cook, the salt bakes onto the skin. It really doesn’t get much better!

You can use the same method at home and in this post I want to show you how. You’ll feel just like you are in beautiful Southern Spain.

Ingredients

You only need two ingredients to make this grilled sardines; Salt and sardines. Lemon wedges to serve add a lot to the flavour though.

Fresh Sardines
Flaky, course or fine sea salt
Lemons

See recipe card for quantities.

Step by step photos

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Mixing the sardines with sea salt in a bowl.

Step 1: Mix the sardines with sea salt in a bowl and be sure to coat them well with the salt.

Step 2: `Skewer the sardines onto metal skewers. You can also add a bit more salt at this stage as some will fall off as you skewer the sardines.

How are the sardined grilled in Spain?

In Spain, the sardines are skewered onto long skewers and then the skewers are stuck into the ground next to a large olive wood fire as shown in the photo below. You can do the same. If you can’t get the olive tree wood, just use a good quality lump wood charcoal or kiln dried wood.

Grilled sardines with salt being cooked in Spain next to a large olive wood fire.

Cooking the grilled sardines in a tandoori oven.

Step 3: I had my tandoor with me in Spain so I decided to cook the sardines in it. The same rules apply. You build a big fire and place the skewered sardines across from it.

The charred sardines ready to remove from the heat.

Step 4: As the sardines cook through, they will char in places and the salt will toast onto the skin.

Grilled sardines with salt served on a plate with salad and lemon wedges.

Step 5: Grill the sardines until cooked through and you are happy with the char. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!

How do you eat grilled sardines?

It might seem strange to some, but you are meant to eat these grilled sardines whole, head and all. You could cut the heads off but you really shouldn’t. You’ll be missing too much deliciousness.

Useful Equipment

Metal Skewers: You will need long metal skewers for this recipe. I recommend getting flat skewers if you can find them because the sardines will stay on them better.

Potatoes: I know… potatoes aren’t usually referred to as equipment but the do a great job of keeping the fish on the skewer. They can and often do slide and a chunk of potato at the end of the skewers will stop them from sliding too far. That would be a tragedy!

A fire source: I used a tandoor oven. In Spain they are often cook by a fire with the skewers stuck into the sand across from the fire. You could also use a barbecue to recreate the more authentic way of cooking.

Storage

Now I’m not saying you can’t store leftovers for 2 to 3 days because you can. Just place them, covered in your fridge. That said, this grilled sardines recipe is all about freshness!

I recommend only purchasing the amount of fresh sardines you need and enjoy them right off the skewers!

Top Tip

Use potatoes: If cooking on upright skewers as they do in Spain, it is a good idea to place a piece of potato at the end of each skewer to stop the sardines from sliding.

FAQ

Can you use other fish?

Yes! This way of cooking fish works well with mackerel, sea bass, bream and other similar fish. Just ensure you have large enough skewers for the larger fish.

Can you add other ingredients to the salt?

You could. Feel free to add other ingredients such as olive oil, herbs, paprika etc. The thing is though, that is not what this recipe is about. It’s about the salt being baked right into the skin. It’s simple but delicious.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Grilled Sardines:

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