Custrd is out on the App Store — Download it free →
Back to recipes

Charred Portuguese Sardines with Lemon

Whole fresh sardines kissed over high heat until skin chars and flesh is silky, finished with coarse salt and bright lemon. Pure, smoky, elegant in under 15 minutes.

Total time
12 min
Servings
2
Calories
286
Protein
34g
Charred Portuguese Sardines with Lemon
elegantsimpleportuguesefishjuicycrispyweeknightdate-night

Ingredients

5 items — tap to check off

Missing one? Custrd suggests a swap that works.

Open the app

Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Heat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it smokes lightly, about 3 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Pat sardines dry. Brush lightly with olive oil and season inside and out with coarse salt and black pepper.

  3. Step 3

    Lay sardines on the hot pan without moving them. Cook 3 minutes until skin chars and lifts easily.

  4. Step 4

    Flip gently and cook another 2 minutes until the second side is golden and flesh feels firm when pressed.

  5. Step 5

    Transfer to a serving plate. Cut lemon into wedges and squeeze over the sardines before serving.

Tools you’ll need

  • grill pan or 12-inch cast iron skillet
  • paper towels
  • tongs or fish spatula

Cook smarter

Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge

Custrd is a free iOS app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations.