Sardines have been around for decades but only came into the spotlight during the reign of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The emperor popularized sardines by introducing canned sardines, thus making it the first fish to be canned.
Canned sardines found popularity in the United States in the 20th century, but the craze died down a bit. However, now, these small canned fish are back due to their nutritional value. Sardines contain several nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12.
Omega-3 fatty acids help lower bad cholesterol levels whereas vitamin B12 improves bone health, increases the production of blood red cells, increases heart health, and supports healthy nails, hair, and skin.
With just one serving of canned sardines, you will meet more than 50% of your daily value for the various nutrients found in it. If you are considering giving these small fish a try, you need to choose canned sardines from a trusted company.
To help you out, I have created a list of the best canned sardines based on my own research on how well received they are among customers in the market.
Portuguese Sardines in Olive Oil
Check out the Portuguese Sardines in Olive Oil at Amazon.
The Portuguese Sardines are available in a variety of delectable flavors. You can purchase sardines in extra virgin olive oil, spiced sardines in pure olive oil, sardines in pure olive oil, smoked sardines, sardines in tomato sauce, and skinless and boneless sardines.
The company harvests DaMorgada sardines off the coast of Portugal, catching them in fishing nets and seines. To maintain the quality of these sardines, they use them within hours of catching them. Each fish is manually cleaned and carefully handled.
They are cooked and prepared using a traditional cooking method in a grill oven. Once fully cooked, they are canned. Canned sardines are packed in extra virgin oil or pure olive oil only.
El Menu Mediterranean Canned Baby Sardine Fillets with Omega-3 in Olive Oil
Check out the El Menu Mediterranean Canned Baby Sardine Fillets at Amazon.
El Menu Mediterranean Canned Baby Sardine Fillets, imported from Spain and caught in the Mediterranean Sea, has become one of the favorite sardines to eat among sardine lovers. The baby sardines are submerged in premium quality olive oil.
They contain all the essential nutrients one needs to remain healthy and strong for years to come. Some of the notable nutrients found in sardines include vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, omega-3, protein, and minerals, such as zinc, iron, potassium, niacin, and phosphorous.
The company cleans the sardines before canning them. You can use these sardines in salads, on crackers, and pasta. You can even make them part of the main course.
MatizEspaña Sardines in Olive Oil
Check out the MatizEspaña Sardines in Olive Oil at Amazon.
MatizEspaña Sardines in Olive Oil are flavorsome, tender, and moist. Caught off the coast of Galicia, the company uses traditional cooking and preparation techniques to can them. The company uses a fishing method that does not threaten or interfere with other sea life.
Once caught, they are soaked in Spanish olive oil. These sardines are gluten-free and GMO-free. You can eat them straight from the can or with sliced avocado and lemon. Other ways to enjoy sardines is to eat them over rice, with hot sauce, or garlic aioli.
The company has also earned its B Certificate for following, complying, and promoting environmental restoration, social equity, and sustainable economic development.
King Oscar Sardines Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Check out the King Oscar Sardines Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Amazon.
King Oscar Sardines Extra Virgin Olive Oil is available in 8 exciting flavors. You can choose from extra virgin olive oil, Mediterranean style, hot jalapeno peppers, soybean oil, Tapatio hot sauce, spicy cracked pepper, Dijon mustard, and zesty tomato.
The company fishes for the Norwegian brisling sardines, catching them from Norway’s coastal waters and icy fjords. Classified as one of the most tender and tiniest sardines, the company uses the wood-smoke method and then packs them in a recyclable, BPA-free aluminum can.
They are free of preservatives and are kosher-certified. You can eat them on a sandwich, pasta, and in a salad.
Crown Prince Natural Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Pure Olive
Check out the Crown Prince Natural Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Pure Olive at Amazon.
Crown Prince Natural Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Pure Olive from Crown Prince is a family-owned business located in the United States since 1948. Their canned Pilchard sardines, caught from Morocco, are filleted and packed by hand and then cold-pressed in pure olive oil.
These sardines do not contain GMO, gluten, and are kosher. You can eat sardines to meet your daily intake and use them in casseroles, sandwiches, and salads, or eat them straight from the can.
Beach Cliff Sardines in Lemon Sauce
Check out the Beach Cliff Sardines in Soybean Oil at Amazon.
Beach Cliff Sardines in Soybean Oil are available in several incredible flavors. Their wide selection of sardines includes sardines in lemon sauce, sardines in mustard, sardines in water, sardines in hot sauce, sardines in olive oil, and a lot more.
SANTO AMARO European Wild Sardines in Olive Oil & Red Piri Piri Peppeter
Check out the SANTO AMARO European Wild Sardines at Amazon.
SANTO AMARO European Wild Sardines from Puree are hand-packed and prepared using a traditional Portuguese method. The company catches the European pilchard from Portugal. The family-owned company packs freshly caught sardines in BPO free cans.
Their sardines are gluten-free and GMO-free. Inside their easy-to-open can contains low acidity tomato sauce with sea salt and sunflower oil. You can eat them from the can or with a salad or add them to a meal. They contain a large variety of nutrients, ranging from calcium, vitamin E, protein, lycopene, and more.
If you are going on a diet, want to try something new, or pair something with a dish, you can choose from this list of the best canned sardines available on the market right now. You can introduce sardines to your family and friends by adding them to a dish or ask them to take one out of the can. Since so many flavors are available than the basic flavor, you can try a few until you find the flavor you like.
Rhonda grew up with parents who gardened, hunted, fished, canned, and preserved food. Her mother was a professional cook and Rhonda credits her teaching everything from how to make homemade biscuits and gravy to what kind of meals to serve for different occasions. In the kitchen, Rhonda uses a mix of old-fashioned country cooking and up-to-date fads in the kitchen, often experimenting with replacing higher-calorie or fat ingredients with healthier options that still retain the delicious flavors of the originals.