Name: 15-Minute Spicy Sardines in Tomato Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1/2 tbsp olive oil; 2 large, canned sardines; 3 eye red chilies, sliced; 3 shallots, sliced; 3 slices ginger; 2 medium tomatoes, sliced; 1 cup water; 2 tsp tamarind paste (optional); 1 tbsp ketchup; 1 tbsp sweet dark soy sauce or oyster sauce; Salt and sugar to taste; Spring Onion for garnish; Steamed rice for serving

Indonesian spicy sardines in tomato sauce are proof that pantry staples can turn into something bold and exciting. In Indonesia, canned sardines are often transformed with fresh chilies, tomatoes, and aromatic spices into a fiery, deeply flavorful dish that’s both comforting and intense.

This recipe delivers big flavor fast perfect for a sizzling weeknight dinner or a quick fix when you want something satisfying without much prep. In just 15 minutes, the sardines simmer into a rich, spicy sauce that’s savory, refreshing, and slightly sweet.

What makes it work is the balance: the deep umami of the sardines, the punchy tomato base, and the heat from fresh chilies. Tamarind paste adds a gentle acidity that brightens everything up, while a drizzle of sweet dark soy sauce brings a subtle caramel-like richness.

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Key Ingredients

Sardines: Canned sardines are used as a base for the meal. Use good quality sardines and tomato sauce to season.
Aromatics: Shallots, ginger, and garlic provide flavor and aroma to the meal, making dinner much better compared to canned fish supper.
Tomatoes: The use of raw tomatoes is one of the factors of having the natural flavor and sweetness to tomato sauce.
Chilies: Red-eye chilies are spicy and can be de-heated according to taste.
Seasonings: Add a sprinkle of sugar and a pinch of salt, plus a little bit of dark soy sauce, tamarind paste, or oyster sauce to provide a rich, savory taste.

Ingredients

2 large, canned sardines in tomato sauce
3 eye red chilies, sliced
3 shallots, sliced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
5 slices ginger
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 cup water
2 tsp tamarind paste (optional)
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp sweet dark soy sauce or oyster sauce
Salt, to taste
Sugar, to taste
Scallions, chopped (for garnish)
Steamed rice, for serving

Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics – Add some oil to the pan over a medium heat. In it goes sautéed chopped ginger, chopped garlic, and chopped shallots and cooked until the mixture is very pale golden and aromatic.

2. Add chilies and tomatoes – Added into it and mix in well-chopped tomatoes and chilies until tomatoes begin to release and spill out their juice.

3. Prepare sauce –Add tomato sardine sauce and 1 cup of water. Add tamarind paste (if found), ketchup, and sweet dark soy sauce or oyster sauce. Simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes so that the flavors can infuse.

4. Add the sardines – Spoon some sauce over the fish and allow everything to simmer for the remaining 2-3 minutes.

5. Season to taste – Season with salt and sugar and stir in gently. Garnish and serve – Garnish with thinly sliced scallions and serve hot immediately over steamed rice.

Other Cooking Method

Give it some kick by pan-frying the sardines first and adding them to the sauce. Just drain the can of sardines, press dry on paper towel, and pan-fry in a spritz of oil until crunchy.

That provided some crunchier texture and added taste to the sardines. Pan-fry and use according to taste.

Serving Tips

Serve hot over hot steaming rice, toast, and top with it as well, or even serve as a vegetable side dish to a stir-fry.

Better yet, topped with a fried egg or pan-fry with vegetables such as spinach or bok choy for a healthy meal.

Final Words

Spicy Sardines in Tomato Sauce is an easy, fast, and budget-friendly dinner without sacrificing taste. With fewer than six ingredients, you can make a spicy, filling, and truly super-rewarding sardine dinner out of canned sardines.

This will certainly not fail on a last-minute craving or kicking up pantry staples. You will enjoy it when you do this and treat yourself to a healthy meal packed with rich, earthy flavors!