Can You Substitute Sardines For Anchovies?

substitute sardines for anchovies
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substitute sardines for anchovies

The modern chefs are all praises for canned fish. Not only the canned fish is affordable, but it’s stable as well. The canned fish can add flavor to every dish. For the same reason, anchovies and sardines are widely used. On the contrary, people often wonder if they can substitute sardines for anchovies. So, let’s check the details!

Can You Substitute Sardines For Anchovies?

For the most part, there is a wide range of canned fish available in the market, but sardines and anchovies are the most popular options. Be it sardines or anchovies, both tend to be oily and small, but there are differences in origins, appearance, and flavors. To begin with, the sardines are from the southern Mediterranean. The sardines are larger as compared to anchovies.

However, the anchovies are smaller and oiler than sardines. Now, coming down to the substituting part, it’s not a good option. In simpler words, sardines cannot be substituted for anchovies or vice versa. This is because both of them have different behavior during cooking. For instance, the anchovies tend to melt, and the entire dish will have savory and saltiness.

On the contrary, the sardines are more on the mellow and meaty side. In addition, the sardines have thick flesh, which means they don’t melt away. To illustrate, you might add anchovies to Caesar salad but adding sardines will be no less than a disaster. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that substituting sardines for anchovies is like substituting oranges for lime (they are citrus, but the flavor is too different).

Even if you are substitute sardines for anchovies, keep in mind that the entire recipe is changed in terms of flavor and texture. Some experts suggest that fresh sardines can be substituted for fresh anchovies but substituting the jarred or canned ones is a big no. So, if you still want the substitute for sardines because anchovies cannot be used, you can follow the below-mentioned options;

1) Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is one of the most popular substitutes. This is mainly because it has anchovies along with other ingredients. This sauce is incredibly delicious and makes a fine substitute. The Worcestershire sauce is basically the fermented liquid with multiple ingredients (the anchovies are obviously there, but the fishy taste isn’t there).

2) Asian Fish Sauce

This is another substitute that you can use in place of sardines. The Asian fish sauce is readily available, but the taste and flavor tend to be pungent. So, it’s best to use Asian fish sauce in a small amount because the higher amount will lead to an undesirable aroma. It can replace the sardines but not on pizzas. That being said, it can be used in stock, soups, braises, and stews. Also, it goes perfectly with Caesar salads.

3) Shrimp Paste       

The shrimp paste is commonly used in Southern Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. The shrimp paste is made after fermenting the ground shrimp (salt is added as well). It is readily used in curries and sauces. However, the shrimp paste will have a pungent and strong taste, so make sure that you adjust the ingredients.

4) Capers

If you know caper bush, the capers are the green buds. These are the pea-sized buds that are often available in pickled form. The capers are pickled with vinegar and/or salt. The capers are usually used in fish dishes and sauces. The prime reason it makes a good substitute for sardines is that it has a strong flavor, but it doesn’t overwhelm the recipe. However, it’s best to rinse the capers before substituting them for capers.

5) Umeboshi Paste

This paste is the pickled plums and is usually used in Japanese cuisine. In Japanese cuisines, umeboshi paste is consumed as a side dish with rice. As far as the flavor is concerned, it has a salty and intense flavor. The best thing about this paste is that it’s perfect for vegetarians and is used as a substitute for fish sauces in Thai dishes. Also, it goes fine with salads.

The final verdict is that sardines and anchovies cannot be substituted with each other because of the drastic difference in flavor and taste. However, some people suggest that fresh sardines can be substituted for fresh anchovies. All in all, we added some other substitutes of sardines!

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