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    Home » Recipes » Polish Recipes

    Sardines on Toast Polish-Style

    July 16, 2020 By Monika Last Updated March 3, 2025 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    These sardines on toast are zesty, healthy and delicious, perfect as a light lunch or snack and ready in under 15 minutes. You will love the tangy, crunchy topping mixture they come with made using radishes and gherkins, which are a staple in Polish cuisine.

    You might also like tuna pate and salmon spread.

    Top down view of sardines on toast with lemon wedges in background.

    This version of traditional Polish sardines on toast consists of smashed sardines topped with a crunchy mixture (relish of sorts) of zesty, tangy ingredients, so there is plenty of flavour as well as texture in this recipe.

    Poles love all manner of canned fish including mackerel, sprats and sardines.  They also love all manner of sandwiches and have them for breakfast as well as supper.  Sardines on toast in Poland would typically be served for supper (the main meal happens between 2-3 pm) or snack between meals.

    Traditional Polish sardines with toast would usually be served in a form of a spread where the sardines would be mashed up along with other ingredients. These ingredients might include radishes, onion, gherkins or sour cream and sometimes Polish cottage cheese (‘twarog’). 

    Are sardines good for you

    Yes, they are! They are an excellent source of nutrients including Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamins B12, calcium, protein and minerals so make a great addition to a healthy diet.  Because sardines are very small and come with tiny little bones they are not very often cooked from fresh.  Nor are fresh sardines easily available but, fortunately, all supermarkets are well stocked in canned sardines.  Which is what I used in this recipe.

    Both fresh as well as canned sardines are nutritious!

    How to prepare the sardines

    Canned sardines are a super convenient ingredient, delicious and ready to eat.  They do not require peeling or removing bones and can be eaten straight from a can. If using sardines in brine or oil drain the liquid before making the recipe.

    Sardines on toast ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients for sardines on toast in individual dishes.
    Polish sardines on toast ingredients.
    • I used sardines in brine but you can use sardines in oil (these will typically have more calories), tomato sauce or mustard or any other type you prefer.
    • I also used pickled gherkins (cucumbers in vinegar) but you can use dill pickles if you prefer (these are pickled in brine, without the vinegar).
    • Another ingredient I added into the topping mixture are shallots for their mild, sweet flavour, but red onion, green onions or even ordinary onion would all be good alternatives.
    • Radish and parsley are extremely popular ingredients in Polish dishes and I have included them also in this sardines recipe.
    • The ketchup and mayonnaise keep all the topping ingredients together and add even more flavour and savouriness.  Season to taste and serve with smashed sardines on toast!

    What bread to use

    This recipe works with any bread though I recommend a dark, rustic, sourdough bread to match the topping (sourdough or light rye bread are also commonly used in Poland).

    How to assemble the recipe

    1. In a mixing bowl combine all the topping ingredients.

    Chopped gherkins, shallots, radish, parsley and dollop of ketchup and mayonnaise in mixing bowl.

    2. Stir thoroughly and adjust the seasoning as needed.

    Top down view of sardines mixture in glass bowl with spoon.

    3. Prepare the toast, butter it (optional), place 2-3 sardines on top and smash using a fork. Drizzle over a little lemon juice.

    Top down view of smashed sardines on 2 slices of toast.

    4. Top with a desired amount of the crunchy vegetable mixture and serve!

    Top down view of toast with sardines mixture.

    Top tips

    • Use any type of canned sardines you like: in brine or oil (drain well first), tomato sauce, mustard, etc.
    • I did not combine the sardines with the topping mixture but you can if you prefer. Don’t forget to add a little drizzle of lemon juice into the mixture.
    • Serve with bread of your choice. Delicious especially with sourdough, rye or pumpernickel. Butter the toast lightly if you like before assembling the recipe.
    • Best served immediately. Once opened sardines can be refrigerated for up to 3 days but the topping should be used on the day it’s made (refrigerate it for up to a few hours).
    • Not suitable for freezing.

    Other ingredients you might like to use

    This sardines on toast recipe is delicious as it is but as it's very adaptable you can modify it every time you make it. For example you could spread a thin layer of mustard over your toast instead of the butter (if using).

    Or you could add finely chopped hard boiled egg into the topping mixture. You might also like to add a bit of freshly chopped dill (not recommended if using dill pickles) or a handful of capers into the topping. Or spice it up by adding finely chopped, deseeded, chilli pepper.

    Serving suggestions

    Toast with sardines can be served as it is or with a simple salad. If you omit the topping mixture you can serve it with Polish cucumber salad as well as sauerkraut salad. Sardines on toast also pair well with cold cucumber soup as a delicious summer meal idea.

    You can easily turn this recipe into an appetizer by serving the sardines and topping mixture on crackers. 

    Related recipes

    • Cottage Cheese and Avocado Toast
    • Avocado Ricotta Cheese on Toast
    • Salmon Salad Sandwich (No Mayo)
    • Avocado Whipped Feta Toast

    See also these other traditional Polish recipes as well as breakfast/brunch recipes!

    Recipe

    Top down view of sardines on toast with lemon wedges in background.

    Sardines on Toast Polish-Style

    These sardines on toast are zesty, healthy and delicious, perfect as a light lunch or snack and ready in under 15 minutes. You will love the tangy, crunchy topping mixture they come with made using radishes and gherkins, which are a staple in Polish cuisine.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Lunch
    Cuisine: gluten free, Polish
    Prep Time: 13 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 13 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 181kcal
    Author: Monika Dabrowski

    Ingredients

    • 2x4.37oz cans (2x124 g) sardines drained
    • 2 gherkins/dill pickles finely chopped
    • 4 radishes finely chopped
    • 2 shallots peeled, finely chopped
    • 4 tablespoons parsley finely chopped
    • 1½ tablespoons ketchup
    • 1½ tablespoons mayonnaise
    • Fine sea salt and pepper to taste
    • Lemon juice for serving
    • 4 bread slices any
    • butter for spreading on toast (optional)

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl combine all the topping ingredients. Stir thoroughly and adjust the seasoning as needed.
    • Prepare the toast, butter it (optional), place 2-3 sardines on top and smash using a fork. Drizzle over a little lemon juice.
    • Top with a desired amount of the vegetable mixture and serve!

    Notes

    • Use any type of canned sardines you like: in brine or oil (drain well first), tomato sauce, mustard, etc.
    • I did not combine the sardines with the topping mixture but you can if you prefer. Don’t forget to add a little drizzle of lemon juice into the mixture.
    • Serve with bread of your choice. Delicious especially with sourdough, rye or pumpernickel. Butter the toast lightly if you like before assembling the recipe.
    • Best served immediately. Once opened sardines can be refrigerated for up to 3 days but the topping should be used on the day it’s made (refrigerate it for up to a few hours).
    • Not suitable for freezing.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 411IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 3mg

    *Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.

    **A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.

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      5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    1. Bruce says

      June 01, 2024 at 6:34 pm

      I've made this recipe three or four times now and it's a delicious way to enjoy sardines. The creamy, crunchy, tangy topping ingredients, along with the bread, serve to perfectly balance the strong, fishy flavor of the sardines. I've always wanted to eat more sardines because they're both cheap and healthy and this recipe is a great way to do just that. Thank you, Monika!

      Reply
      • Monika says

        June 02, 2024 at 9:53 am

        You are welcome! Thank you for the feedback:)

        Reply

    Hi, I am Monika, welcome to Everyday Healthy Recipes! This blog is all about simple recipes with a healthy twist, old classics with a modern take, and an occasional Polish dish thrown into the mix - all easy to make and delicious, perfect for everyday cooking.

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