Grilled Sardines with Pea and Lemon Butter Sauce
Prep
20 mins
Cook
12 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
Here's a recipe I've fallen in love with lately: grilled sardines with pea and lemon butter sauce. These little fish are incredibly affordable and cook up in just minutes, making them perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels surprisingly elegant. Sardines are packed with omega 3 fatty acids that are wonderful for your heart, and the bright lemon and sweet peas complement their rich flavor beautifully. The whole meal comes together in under half an hour, and honestly, once you try this combination, you'll be grilling sardines all summer long.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 12fresh whole sardines(cleaned and gutted)
- 473 mlfrozen peas
- 4 tablespoonsbutter(divided)
- 3garlic cloves(minced)
- 3 tablespoonsfresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoonlemon zest
- 1shallot(finely diced)
- 2 tablespoonsfresh parsley(chopped)
- 3 tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoonsea salt
- ½ teaspoonblack pepper
- 2 sprigsfresh thyme
- 1lemon slices(for garnish)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Pat the cleaned sardines dry with paper towels and arrange them on a large plate. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously inside and out with sea salt, black pepper, and fresh thyme sprigs.
Tip: Dry fish grills much better and develops better color without sticking.
- 2
In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced shallot, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
Tip: Don't let the garlic brown, as it will become bitter.
- 3
Add the frozen peas to the pan with the garlic mixture and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender and heated through. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Tip: The residual heat will finish cooking the peas perfectly.
- 4
While the peas cook, place the sardines on the preheated grill grates. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the size of the fish, until the flesh is opaque and the skin is slightly charred.
Tip: Resist the urge to move the fish too much; let them develop a nice crust for maximum flavor.
- 5
Remove the peas from heat and whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until the sauce becomes silky and emulsified. Fold in the chopped fresh parsley.
Tip: The cold butter whisked at the end creates a luxurious sauce without breaking.
- 6
Transfer the grilled sardines to a serving platter and spoon the warm pea mixture alongside them. Drizzle any remaining lemon butter sauce over the sardines and garnish with fresh lemon slices and additional parsley.
Tip: Serve immediately while everything is still warm for the best flavor and texture.
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