
Roasted Sardines with Daikon
Prep
15 mins
Cook
25 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
Roasted Sardines with Daikon is a simple dish combining fresh sardines with sliced daikon radish, roasted together with garlic, thyme, lemon and olive oil. Taking just 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook, this straightforward recipe suits anyone looking for a quick, flavourful meal. The sardines and daikon are finished with fresh parsley and a splash of white wine vinegar for brightness.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 12fresh sardines(cleaned and gutted)
- 1 largedaikon radish(cut into 2-inch batons)
- 5 tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
- 2lemon(zest and juice)
- 4garlic cloves(minced)
- 2 tablespoonsfresh thyme(chopped)
- 1 teaspoonsea salt
- ½ teaspoonblack pepper
- ¼ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoonswhite wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoonsfresh parsley(chopped)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the cleaned sardines dry with paper towels and season inside and out with salt and pepper.
Tip: Dry sardines will roast more evenly and develop a crispier skin.
- 2
Toss the daikon batons with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, half the thyme, and a pinch of salt. Spread on one half of a large baking sheet.
Tip: Cutting daikon into uniform batons ensures even cooking.
- 3
Roast the daikon for 12 minutes until it begins to soften and caramelize at the edges.
- 4
While daikon roasts, arrange sardines on the other half of the baking sheet. Drizzle with remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with remaining thyme and red pepper flakes.
- 5
Add the sardines to the oven and roast alongside the daikon for 10-12 minutes until the sardines are cooked through and skin is crispy.
Tip: Sardines cook quickly, so watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
- 6
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, and white wine vinegar to create the glaze.
- 7
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and drizzle the lemon-vinegar glaze over both sardines and daikon.
- 8
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while warm.
Tip: The acidity of the citrus glaze brightens the rich flavors of the roasted sardines.
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