Sardines (also known as pilchards) are nutrient-dense, tiny, oily fish commonly consumed by humans and fed by larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. Omega-3 fatty acids may be found in sardines. Sardines are frequently served in cans; you can eat them fresh, grilled, pickled, or smoked.


Sardine and pilchard are not exact terminologies, and what they signify varies by area. Sardines, for example, are classified as young pilchards by the United Kingdom's Sea Fish Industry Authority.


Sardines are elongated, silvery fish with a single short dorsal fin, no lateral line, and no scales on the head. They are around 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) long and dwell in dense swarms while moving along the coast and eating on plankton, which they ingest in large amounts. They spawn mostly in the spring, with the eggs and larvae floating until they transition into free-swimming fish a few days later.


The fish are cleaned, heads removed, and cooked, deep-frying or steam-cooking, before being dried in the cannery. The fish is then packed in olive or soybean oil in Spain, Portugal, and many other nations, while they can also be smoked in Scandinavian countries. They can also be served with a tomato or mustard sauce on the side.


Humans generally consume sardines, while fish meal made from them is used as animal feed, and sardine oil is used to make paint, varnish, linoleum, and margarine in Europe. European sardines, juvenile herring, and Sardinops are the most often canned fish.


Sardines follow the same food safety guidelines as any other fish. If you're buying fresh sardines, be sure they've been kept at a cool temperature (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and packed on ice. Fresh sardines should have a little fishy aroma. Clean and gleaming eyes are ideal.


Fresh sardines should be refrigerated, cooked, or frozen within two days of purchase. Hands and tools or cutting boards used to prepare raw sardines should be well-cleaned. Cook the fish until the temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid leaving fish out at room temperature for more than an hour at a time while serving.

Sardines in cans should be consumed as soon as they are opened. If you don't finish the can, put it in the refrigerator in a covered plastic or glass container for consumption within a few days.

Sardines are packed with minerals and are quite healthy. There are hardly any carbs, fibers, or sugars in this fish.


Sardines are high in B12, D, and E vitamins and magnesium, potassium, and zinc. This is why they are regarded as the ideal protein.


Nutritional values of Sardine per 100 gm

  • Calories - 208KJ
  • Total fat - 11gm
  • Cholesterol - 142mg
  • Sodium - 307mg
  • Potassium - 397mg
  • Total carbohydrates- 0
  • Protein - 25gm

Health benefits of Sardines / Mathi Meen

  1. Strengthened Muscles
    Sardines are high in complete protein and necessary fatty acids, which are important for muscular growth and fuel. Sardines supply all the amino acids your body needs to develop strength without additional additives, so eat them instead of processed protein powders and bars.
    When completing an intense strength-training session, the fats in sardines provide a consistent stream of energy to help you accomplish your reps. The protein profile of sardines provides the building blocks your muscles need to recuperate.
  2. Allergies
    Fish allergies are prevalent, although they don't often appear until later in life. Fish allergies, such as sardine allergies, are typically distinguished from shellfish allergies, such as shrimp and crab allergies. Asthma, hives, headaches, and a stuffy nose are all possible symptoms. See an allergist for a professional diagnosis if you have a sardine allergy.
  3. Protects memory and cognition
    Lower cognitive deterioration has been linked to sardines and other forms of seafood.
    Some varieties of Alzheimer's disease, strokes, and dementia can be prevented by eating seafood. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is particularly beneficial for memory retention.
    Sardines should be eaten twice a week for good memory performance. Snapper provides approximately 70% of the selenium necessary in a 2,000-calorie diet. It is essential for white blood cell function (it increases the number of white blood cells generated by the body). Still, it is also necessary for the appropriate functioning of the thyroid gland. Selenium is a vital antioxidant that we don't hear enough about because of its potential to prevent DNA damage, arthritis, cancer, and heart disease caused by free radical chemicals.
  4. Encourages a Healthy Pregnancy
    Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for a healthy pregnancy, especially when developing the baby's brain and vision. As a result, women of reproductive age should consume two or three servings of fish every week.
    Because of their low mercury content, sardines are on the "best choices" list. They offer the advantages of fish while posing a low danger of mercury poisoning.
  5. Strengthening Bones
    Both calcium and vitamin D are abundant in sardines (which enhance calcium absorption). Most individuals should strive for 1000mg of calcium daily to maintain healthy bones, which is the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). A 3-ounce portion of canned sardines with bones contains over 32% of your daily calcium requirement. 1 Sardines, along with moderate muscle-building activity, can help prevent your bones from deteriorating as you get older.

Recipe: Let's try out the Sardine Fish Chilli garlic and lemon recipe today


To make this dish, the ingredients you will need are mentioned below:

  • 8 x 100g (3 1/2oz) sardines, gutted (see tip)
  • Red chilli - 1 finely chopped
  • Garlic clove - 1 crushed
  • Olive oil - 2 tbsp
  • Lemon - 1 zested and juiced, plus extra two lemons, halved
  • Few drops Tabasco
  • Mixed salad to Serve

Instructions to cook Red Snapper Fish


Step 1: Combine the chile, garlic, and oil in a small bowl with the lemon zest and 2 tsp lemon juice. Dress it with salt (as per your taste) and freshly ground black pepper as per your taste.


Step 2: On one side of each Sardine, make tiny incisions. Rub the lemon-oil mixture all over the sardines, getting into the slits and the body cavity.


Step 3: Now, cook the sardines for 3 minutes on each side over a prepared barbeque (or over medium-high heat in a griddle pan) until cooked through and the flesh readily flakes away from the bone. Place the cut-side-down lemon halves next to the fish for the last 3 minutes of cooking.


Step 4: Serve the dish with a few drops of Tabasco, the grilled lemon halves, and the mixed salad


With you ordering your delicacies from Chennai Meats, you not ensure one or two but numerous benefits for yourself.

  1. The meat we provide is 100% chemical-free and with no added preservatives.
  2. You don't have to wait for ages for your meat to be delivered; you will receive them by 8:00 am -11:00 am. Great? Isn't it?
  3. You don't have to worry about leakage or spill from Chennai Meat packages.
  4. Every product is stored in our cold storage until your doorstep ensuring freshness and utmost hygiene.
  5. You can store the fish as it is for the next day in deep freezing without any fear of spoiling it.
  6. You can file your complaint 24*7 on our helpline number. We will always be happy to help.
  7. Fresh and new fish from Rameshwaram, Kasimedu (we are catching the fish from PiperBoat) are waiting for you.
  8. All prices are inclusive of cleaning, degutting, and cutting. All seafood will be weighed before gutting and cutting.
  9. Chennai Meats provides you with the best rates in the market. (In your budget) With special discounts almost every day.

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