Sardine Salad Recipe · Noor Kitchen

Prep10 minutes

CookNo cooking

Serves2 servings

LevelEasy

There's something quietly luxurious about a salad this simple: silky sardines flaked over crisp lettuce, brightened with fresh dill, a whisper of hot pepper, and a lemon-tahini dressing that pulls it all together. This is my no-cook answer to a light lunch that still feels generous — rich in protein and omega-3, and ready in about ten minutes. It leans on the Mediterranean love of good tinned fish, the kind my family always kept in the pantry. Choose sardines packed in olive oil and let the tahini and lemon do the rest. Fresh, honest and on the table before you've even set the plates.

How to Prepare

1

Chop the lettuce and arrange it on a plate.

2

Flake the sardines over the lettuce.

3

Add chopped hot pepper and fresh dill.

4

Whisk together the tahini, lemon juice and olive oil into a dressing.

5

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve fresh.

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✦ Chef Noor's Tip

Use good-quality sardines packed in olive oil for the best flavour.

Ingredient Swaps

Swap the lettuce for another crisp green — romaine, arugula or baby spinach all work.

No fresh dill on hand? Fresh parsley or mint keep the salad green and bright.

Prefer it milder? Use less of the hot pepper, or leave it out altogether.

Out of tahini? Whisk the lemon and olive oil on their own for a lighter, sharper dressing.

Canned tuna or mackerel can stand in for the sardines if that's what you have.

Common Questions

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

It's at its best assembled and served fresh, since the lettuce softens once the dressing goes on. You can chop the lettuce, dill and hot pepper and whisk the tahini-lemon dressing ahead, then bring it all together just before serving.

Do the sardines need to be cooked?

No, this is a completely no-cook salad. Use tinned sardines — ideally packed in olive oil, as in the tip — and flake them straight over the lettuce.

My tahini dressing came out too thick. What can I do?

Tahini stiffens as soon as it meets lemon juice. Just whisk in a little more lemon juice or olive oil until it loosens into a pourable dressing you can drizzle over the salad.

How can I make it less spicy?

The heat comes only from the fresh hot pepper, so use less of it or leave it out entirely. The dill, lemon and tahini still give you a bright, full-flavoured salad.

How do I store leftovers?

Since dressed lettuce wilts quickly, this salad is best eaten right away. If you expect leftovers, keep the salad and the dressing separate in the fridge and combine them just before serving.