Moroccan Grilled Sardines
Fresh sardines marinated in warm spices, lemon, and cilantro, then grilled until crispy and smoky. A coastal Moroccan classic that's simple, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 285
- Protein
- 28g
Ingredients
- 8 whole fresh sardines, gutted and cleaned
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 whole lemon, zest and juice
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, cilantro, parsley, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- 2
Pat sardines dry with paper towels. Place in a shallow dish and coat generously with the spiced marinade, rubbing it inside and outside each fish. Cover and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
- 3
Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- 4
Place sardines directly on the grill, perpendicular to the grates. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the skin is charred and the flesh is cooked through.
- 5
Transfer grilled sardines to a serving platter. Drizzle with any remaining marinade and squeeze fresh lemon juice over top before serving.
Tools you’ll need
- grill
- small mixing bowl
- shallow dish for marinating
- paper towels
- tongs
- serving platter
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