Skip to main content

Grilled Sardines with Aioli

Image may contain Animal Fish Herring Sea Life Food Dish Meal and Sardine
Christopher Testani

Sardines can be a hard sell. Which is fine! Smoked trout, gravlax, or even grilled shrimp would be great too.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 Servings

Ingredients

1 garlic clove
Kosher salt
1 large egg yolk
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper
4 sardines, cleaned
Parsley leaves with tender stems (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Using the side of a chef’s knife, mash garlic and a pinch of salt to a paste on a cutting board. Transfer to a small bowl and add egg yolk and mustard; mix well. Whisking constantly, add ⅓ cup oil, drop by drop at first, then ⅛-teaspoonful at a time as mixture emulsifies and thickens. (Do not add oil too quickly or aioli will break and oil will separate.) Stir in lemon juice; season aioli with salt and pepper.

    Step 2

    Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Place sardines on a plate and drizzle remaining 1 Tbsp. oil over; season with salt and pepper. Grill until browned and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer sardines to a platter and top with parsley. Serve with aioli.

    Step 3

    Do Ahead: Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Read More
Harissa adds a layer of nuance to this twist on Italian American favorite, shrimp scampi, offering added body and warmth from spices such as caraway and cumin.
A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.
Punchy, make-ahead chimichurri adds a bright, fresh finish to this easy summer dinner.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.
Canned green curry paste does most of the work for a dish that tastes like you tried much harder than you did.
Chopped kimchi and soy sauce transform mellow tuna salad into your new favorite riff on the classic diner sandwich.
The contrast of serving a grilled vegetable ice-cold is thrilling, and the Caesar dressing is rich and thick enough to cling longingly to each leaf of cabbage.