Sugar-Free Grilled Sardines with Garlic Lemon Marinade
Elevate your seafood game with these Sugar-Free Grilled Sardines with Garlic Lemon Marinade—a quick, healthy, and flavor-packed dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts. Fresh sardines are marinated in a zesty blend of lemon juice, aromatic garlic, and fresh parsley, with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to enhance their natural richness. Grilled to perfection in just 10 minutes, these sardines boast a crispy, smoky skin and tender, flaky meat. Completely free of added sugars, this light yet satisfying recipe is ideal for low-carb, paleo, or Mediterranean diets. Serve with a garnish of parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon for a vibrant, restaurant-quality meal that’s as easy as it is delicious. Keywords: sugar-free grilled sardines, garlic lemon marinade, healthy seafood recipes, Mediterranean grilling, summer recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 pieces fresh sardines
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 as needed olive oil spray
Instructions
Clean the sardines by removing their heads and guts, then gently rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and finely chopped fresh parsley.
Season the marinade with sea salt and black pepper, mixing well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
Place the cleaned sardines in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Turn the sardines to ensure they are evenly coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, ensure the coals are well lit and have an even layer of heat.
Lightly spray the grill grates with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
Remove the sardines from the marinade and allow any excess to drip off before placing them on the grill.
Grill the sardines for about 3-5 minutes on each side, until the skin is crispy and the flesh is just cooked through.
Remove from the grill and transfer the sardines to a serving platter. Optionally, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1691 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 106.4 g | 136% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.5 g | 72% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 966 mg | 322% | |
| Sodium | 5147 mg | 224% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 9.0 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.4 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.6 g | ||
| Protein | 168.6 g | 337% | |
| Vitamin D | 81.6 mcg | 408% | |
| Calcium | 2637 mg | 203% | |
| Iron | 20.8 mg | 116% | |
| Potassium | 2881 mg | 61% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
