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Grilled Sardines — traditional dish from Algarve, Portugal
Main course Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥450kcal
💪45gProtein
🌾—Carbs
🥑30gFat
🌿—Fibre
⚖️300 gServing

* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.

Allergens

🐟 Fish

Also served in

Grilled Sardines

How to order / say it
Say it Sardinhas Assadas — [sar-DEEN-yas ah-SAH-das]
Order I'd like the grilled sardines, please.
Locally Quero as sardinhas assadas, por favor.
Say locally

Fresh sardines grilled to perfection, often served with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Why try it?

Grilled sardines are a staple of Faro's culinary landscape, representing the coastal bounty. Enjoying them with locals at festivals embodies the spirit of the Algarve's seafaring traditions.

How it tastes

Expect a smoky, salty flavor with oily, tender flesh that easily comes off the bone. Their aroma is unmistakably of the sea, best enjoyed outdoors with a squeeze of lemon.

Origin & History — first documented: 1850

Sardines have been a part of Portuguese cuisine for centuries, particularly in the Algarve region. Their simplicity and abundance made them popular in the mid-19th century, becoming a quintessential dish at local celebrations.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🐟 600 g sardines
  • 🧂 1 tbsp sea salt
  • 🫒 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 🍋 1 lemon

Method

  1. 1 Clean and rinse the sardines under cold water.
  2. 2 Rub the sardines with sea salt and let them sit for 10 minutes.
  3. 3 Preheat the grill to a high heat, lightly oiling the grates.
  4. 4 Grill sardines for 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked through.

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All Europe recipes — Portugal — Faro — Grilled Sardines
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