Buying guide
How to choose Portuguese sardines
Short answers to the questions we hear most, with links to the tins themselves.
- Which sardines are the best?
- Where to buy Portuguese sardines in Europe?
- Which NURI sardines to choose?
- NURI or Minerva?
- Are sardines in olive oil healthy?
- How to eat canned sardines?
Which sardines are the best?
There is no single best tin — it depends on taste. For a first tin, choose sardines in olive oil from a Portuguese producer: the fish and the oil are the whole story. Then compare a spicy and a tomato tin.
Where to buy Portuguese sardines in Europe?
SARDINHAS ships Portuguese sardines across Europe, with free Baltic delivery on orders over €50. Prices and stock on the site are live from our store.
Which NURI sardines to choose?
NURI is hand-packed in Matosinhos since 1920. Start with the classic olive oil tin, then try the spicy version. The NURI Signature Collection is a producer-made set of several recipes.
NURI or Minerva?
Both come from Matosinhos. NURI is the cult classic with a fuller style; Minerva is known for delicate fillets and clean olive oil. The easiest answer is to taste them side by side.
Are sardines in olive oil healthy?
Sardines are an oily fish and a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. Nutrition values differ per tin — check the label on each product. We explain omega-3 and mercury in a separate article.
How to eat canned sardines?
Straight from the tin on good bread, in a salad, over pasta or as part of a tapas board. The oil in the tin is worth keeping for dressing.