Grilled Sardines with Green Beans and Lemon Herb Sauce
Prep
20 mins
Cook
12 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
This is one of my favorite weeknight dinners because it comes together in just half an hour and tastes absolutely restaurant quality. Fresh sardines are packed with omega 3 fatty acids that are wonderful for your heart, and they're incredibly affordable compared to other fish. The lemon herb sauce brings everything to life, coating tender green beans and perfectly grilled sardines with bright, fresh flavors. It's simple enough for a casual Tuesday night but impressive enough to serve guests. Trust me, once you try this, you'll be making it again and again.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 8fresh sardines(cleaned and gutted)
- ½ kgfresh green beans(trimmed)
- 6 tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
- 2fresh lemon(zested and juiced)
- 3garlic cloves(minced)
- 237 mlfresh parsley(finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoonsfresh dill(chopped)
- 1 teaspoonsea salt
- 1 teaspoonblack pepper
- 1 teaspoonred pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoonwhite wine vinegar
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates well to prevent sticking.
Tip: If using a charcoal grill, let the coals burn down slightly so they're hot but not smoking intensely.
- 2
In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of olive oil with minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped parsley, dill, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set the herb sauce aside.
Tip: You can prepare this sauce up to 2 hours ahead and let the flavors meld.
- 3
Pat the sardines dry with paper towels and place on a large plate. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season both sides generously with sea salt and black pepper.
Tip: Dry sardines will develop better char marks and won't stick to the grill.
- 4
Toss the green beans with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Spread them in a single layer on a grill basket or fine mesh grate.
Tip: Using a grill basket prevents smaller vegetables from falling through the grates.
- 5
Place the green bean basket on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes, shaking occasionally, until they develop light char marks and become tender-crisp.
Tip: The beans should still have a slight firmness to them when done.
- 6
Move the green beans to the cooler side of the grill. Place the sardines directly on the grill grates and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.
Tip: Sardines cook very quickly, so watch them carefully to avoid overcooking.
- 7
Transfer the grilled sardines and green beans to a serving platter. Pour the lemon herb sauce generously over the fish and vegetables.
Tip: Reserve some sauce to drizzle on individual plates for extra flavor.
- 8
Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Tip: This dish is best enjoyed fresh off the grill with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
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