Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 x 120 g tins sardines in olive oil (see tips below)
- 1 × 400 g can butter beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 250 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 fresh red chilli, seeded and finely sliced
- 1 large handful flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
For the dressing:
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sumac, plus extra to serve
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
To serve (optional):
- salad leaves
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, lime zest and juice, Dijon mustard, sumac and olive oil until combined. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the beans, cherry tomatoes, green onions, chilli and most of the parsley. Pour over the dressing and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Add the sardines: Break the sardines into large pieces and fold through carefully so they hold some of their shape.
- Finish and serve: Taste and adjust with extra lime juice, salt or pepper if needed. Scatter with the remaining parsley and an extra sprinkle of sumac. Serve as is, over crisp salad leaves, or with toasted sourdough bread. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Choose good-quality sardines: For the best flavour and texture, look for sardines packed in olive oil rather than water. I like to spoon a little of the oil from the tins into the salad too (it adds richness and helps bring the dressing together). If you’re new to sardines or prefer a milder flavour, boneless, skinless varieties are a great place to start.
- Use your favourite white beans: Butter beans and cannellini beans both work beautifully here. Butter beans create a softer, creamier salad, while cannellini beans hold their shape a little more and give a firmer texture.
- Don’t skip the sumac: Sumac adds a bright, citrusy tang that works beautifully with the sardines and lime. You’ll usually find it in Middle Eastern grocery shops, larger supermarkets, specialty spice stores or online.