Sardines On Toast with a Citrus Twist • Kath Eats

This sardines on toast recipe combines Greek yogurt, sardines, and a surprising touch of orange marmalade for a sweet-salty bite you’ll love.

Since I first read about them in Cooking Light magazine as a “superfood to try,” I’ve had a thing for sardines! I find them a bit more flavorful than tuna, and I have them at least once a week for lunch. Often, I use pita chips or tortilla chips to scoop up a mashed salad, but this version is a bit more elegant on top of crunchy toasted sourdough by La Brea Bakery.

Toasts themselves are one of my favorite blank canvases — a crunchy slice of bread pairs with nearly every flavor out there, from smoked salmon to mashed banana and peanut butter. This sardine toast recipe takes ordinary canned fish to the next level, with a sweet-citrus twist that might surprise you.

If you’re already a sardine fan, you’ll probably appreciate this riff on my simple sardine salad recipe. And if you want to see how I talk about sardines in action, check out the video embedded in my Fish in a Tin post about how to mash and use sardines.

Fishwife is one of my very favorite sardine brands! They make all kinds of amazing gourmet tinned fish.

Sardines On Toast Recipe

Let’s jump into the details so you can try this out yourself. I promise—it’s fast, flavorful, and full of the good stuff that makes sardines good for you!

Is Sardines On Toast Healthy?

Yes, of course! Sardines are one of the best canned fish you can eat: they’re loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, vitamin D, and complete protein. Because they’re small, low in the food chain, and often sustainably caught, they tend to accumulate less mercury. (Read more here.)

Pairing them with a slice of bread gives you some carbs and fiber (especially if you use whole-grain or sourdough), and adding Greek yogurt to the mayo combo makes it both creamy and lighter than an all-mayo combo. The fresh herbs, chopped veggies, and arugula make this a complete meal!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Surprisingly delicious flavor combo: The addition of orange marmalade is what makes this recipe shine. The sweet citrus tang cuts through the richness of sardines, mayo, and Greek yogurt, offering a delicious sweet-savory flavor combo.
• Pantry + fridge friendly: You likely have sardines in your pantry already, plus staples like yogurt, mayo, herbs, and a few chopped veggies.
• Rich in good nutrition: This toast gives you fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Quick & satisfying: Mash, spread, top, eat. So simple to make.
• Customizable & fresh: You can swap out chopped parsley for dill, basil, or cilantro; change up the veggies; or drizzle extra olive oil and lemon juice for brightness.

How To Make Sardines On Toast

Ingredients

• 1 can sardines (in olive oil or water)
• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp orange marmalade
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1/4 cup minced veggies (bell peppers, carrots, celery)
• A handful of arugula
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: extra olive oil, lemon juice, or a squeeze of lemon

Instructions

Step 1: Toast the bread

Toast each slice of bread until it’s nice and firm—crisp enough to hold weight without sogging. You can butter it or brush with olive oil if desired.

Step 2: Mix the sardine filling

In a bowl, add the sardine (drained from its can) and mash with a fork. Stir in the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, orange marmalade, lemon zest, and minced veggies. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Spread on toast

Divide the sardine mixture between the two toasts, spreading it evenly. You may have a bit leftover, depending on your bread size.

Step 4: Top and finish

Top each toast with arugula or fresh herbs. Drizzle a little olive oil and give a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

Step 5: Serve & enjoy

Eat it right away — out of hand or with a knife and fork, your call!

What Goes Well With Sardines On Toast

• Side salad: Crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon juice and olive oil and maybe a little crumbled cheese!
• For a dinner: roasted potatoes with rosemary or parsley
• Light lunch: Pickled vegetables or a slaw
• Soup: Tomato soup or gazpacho
• A trio of toasts: try one sardine toast, one avocado toast, and one banana toast (the dessert!)

I hope this twist on sardine salad surprises you in the best way. And if you’ve never tried them before, this is your nudge to do so!