There’s nothing quite like the changing of the seasons – watching the leaves turn color and dance to the ground, while feeling the brisk air as we burrow into warm sweaters. For many of us, it’s also a reminder that the holidays are upon us and we’ll soon need to begin planning menus for special gatherings. 

There are many ways to easily create festive and delicious food, but have you ever considered using tinned sardines as the star of your dish? 

These meaty little fish have a delectably mild taste and can be used in a variety of ways. Conveniently packaged in shelf-stable cans, you can stock your pantry with several tins so they’re already on-hand whenever you’re ready to use them. Then, whenever you’re in need, you can quickly whip up some flavorful sardine appetizers and focus on quality time with your guests.

Sardines are a species lower on the food chain and naturally more plentiful in our oceans, which make them the perfect fish to regularly enjoy. They are protein-packed and nutrient-dense with EPA and DHA Omega-3s and Vitamin D. Did you know that their popularity has grown so much that they’re even celebrated annually on November 24th during National Sardine Day?

In honor of this small but mighty and tasty fish, we’ve put together a collection of some of our favorite canned wild sardine recipes with the holidays in mind. Feel free to increase the ingredient size of each recipe to meet your gathering’s needs. We hope these will help spark some festive creativity and interesting conversation in your kitchen!

Balsamic Roasted Tomato Sardine Tartine

Ciabatta bread topped with a delectable mix of roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar and meaty sardines.

Sardine And Egg Canapés

Whip up a batch of these savory sardine and egg canapés that are full of flavor and nutrition.

Pissaladière With Sardines

Slice and serve this simple and delicious French-inspired pizza with sardines and caramelized onions. Your guests will delight in this mouth-watering treat!

Sardine Bruschetta

The perfect bite to make your tastebuds smile – sardines, garlic, roasted red peppers and red onions with a drizzle of olive oil.

Sardine Flatbread

Topped with tasty vegetables and peppery arugula, this sardine flatbread is an exquisite bite which may just become a new staple in your household.

Mustard Dill Sardine Tartine

A simple mustard vinegar sauce with pickled cucumbers brings a zing to this distinctive treat. Try using cocktail pumpernickel bread and cutting smaller pieces of sardine to serve a large crowd.