My favorite way to eat sardines: this Indian sardine stir-fry!
What is Sardine Thoran?
I’m guessing you haven’t heard of sardine thoran before. This stir-fry is a south Indian Keralite dish. Think: stir-fried sardines coated in delicious, aromatic Indian spices! The spices and coconut help mask the strong fishy flavor of sardines. Even if you’re not typically a fan of sardines, give this dish a try!
If you’ve never heard of the word “thoran” – it’s basically just stir-fried chopped veggies (or in this case, sardines) with a mixture of coconut, onion and spices. It’s a method of cooking that’s typically reserved for vegetables (I have several veggie thoran recipes on my blog: cabbage, zucchini, beets – even butternut squash). This recipe is known as a meen thoran, meaning fish thoran – though it is one mean thoran 😏 (sorry, couldn’t resist).
When I was pregnant with Tony, I made sure to make this sardine stir-fry at least once or twice every trimester. By my third trimester, I actually started craving sardines – which is very strange for me. I’d just mash them up, mix them with mayo and eat them on crackers. Now, I’m back to only eating sardines in the form of this sardine thoran.
You can always replace sardines with another type of fish if you really want to: canned tuna works well too! I almost always make this with sardines though because it’s the only way I can get myself to happily eat sardines, whereas I can eat tuna in many different ways (see my tuna recipes on the blog).
This is a recipe from my first eBook, South Asian Persuasion: 100+ Paleo Indian recipes. If you love this dish and are looking for more gluten-free, paleo-friendly recipes – then be sure to check it out!
Sardine Thoran
Sardine Thoran
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1- inch ginger minced
- 1 Serrano pepper minced
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- 2 4.375 ounce packages of wild sardines in extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup finely shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon meat masala
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil in a pan over medium heat, then add mustard seeds.
- Once they begin to splutter, add the onions, garlic, ginger, serrano pepper and curry leaves. Mix well and after 2 minutes, add the remaining ingredients.
- Increase the heat to medium-high heat and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
Notes
- You can find finely shredded coconut in the freezer aisle of any Indian grocery store.
Jothy says
Hey Ashley! Just tried your sardine thoran following your recipe to the T! It tasted amazing!!! Thanks!!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Jothy, I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you!
Susan says
Wow! I just made this – the pan still sits dirty on the stove. It’s delcious! Full of fresh flavor. I highly recommend.
Thanks for your website – great recipes.
My Heart Beets says
Susan, I’m so happy to hear that! Glad you liked it – thanks for sharing how it turned out for you 🙂
Poorna says
Can we use fresh sardine?
Krista Bland says
This was amazing. I love sardines anyway but have had some sardines in marinara that I don’t care for as much as the oil-packed ones. The coconut really did dull the fishy flavor as did the spices. I would be interested in trying this with cheaper sardines(I used Wild Planet) to see if it helps.
Thank you for sharing!
My Heart Beets says
Krista, that’s so awesome to hear! Thanks for letting me know how this turned out for you 🙂
Greg says
Can you use Coconut flakes in place of finely shredded coconut?
My Heart Beets says
Hi Greg, I haven’t tried but I’m sure that’ll be fine if that’s what you have on hand – as long as they are unsweetened! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Joel says
I’m so psyched about this recipe. Forever have I wanted to like sardines. You’ve shown me the way. Haha Thank you very much for sharing the recipe. -Joel
My Heart Beets says
Thanks, Joel!! 🙂
Pat says
I took your advice to try this, even though I was sure I would hate it. Oh my – it is delicious! One question – do you use only the sardines, or do you also include the olive oil from the can?
My Heart Beets says
Pat, I’m so happy you tried it and even happier that that you liked it!! 🙂 Yes, I dump everything in – sardines and oil 🙂