Enjoy this Mediterranean Fisherman’s Sardine Stew made with pantry staples. This simple & traditional stew is loaded with bright & authentic flavor for a quick anytime meal.
This post was sponsored by Season Brand Sardines. All opinions are my own.

A Rustic Stew Made With The Catch of the Day
Fisherman’s Sardine Stew is a simple, beautiful dish. Originally, it was made with the catch of the day, or the random leftovers from the catch of the day.
An Italian buddy told me that Fisherman’s Stew was known almost as a peasant fisherman’s dish that became a comfort food over the generations. He also swore it’s the best cure for a long, overindulgent night out.
You can throw any combination of fish or shellfish in this stew and it will yield a hearty, flavorful bowl of deliciousness.
This stew becomes a hearty meal with a nice salad and LOADS of fresh, crusty bread for dipping. Bread is an absolute necessity with this stew.
Looking for some more Mediterranean seafood recipes? Check out these recipes: Sardine Pasta, Mediterranean Fish Soup & Spigola (Oven Roasted Sea Bass)

Ingredients & Instructions
We’re working with pantry staples for this Fisherman’s Sardine Stew. Tomatoes aren’t in season and I have no fresh fish on hand. I do though, have a pantry filled with crushed tomatoes and canned goods…
Ready to eat right out of the tin, sardines make a great addition to many of your recipes.
Like in this Rustic Sardine Stew. Sauté onions in a deep pot or Dutch oven, throw in a few cloves of garlic, deglaze with some wine and add the remaining ingredients. Simmer and dinner is ready in no time.
Feel free to throw whatever other seafood you have on hand in the pot. I LOVE adding mussels to this!
Here’s to a quick, nutritious & absolutely delicious meal!
Hope you enjoy!
Amanda ♥
Fisherman’s Sardine Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup wine red or white (I used red)
- large can crushed tomatoes 28 oz
- fish or seafood stock 15 oz can
- can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper more to taste if preferred
- 5-6 cans Season Sardines drained
- mussels or other shellfish optional
- Large loaf of fresh crusty bread
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a dutch oven or large saucepan.
- Saute onions until translucent, about 10 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, saute for a minute or two.
- Add wine, scrape pan to deglaze.
- Add crushed tomatoes, fish stock, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, parsley & crushed red pepper.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15- 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste, add additional red pepper if more heat is preferred.
- Add sardines. Stir in, breaking up some sardines.
- Simmer for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Salt & pepper to taste if necessary.
- Serve with lots of crusty bread for dipping.
- Enjoy 🙂
Notes
I haven’t had sardine in a long time. Love using them in this stew. Sounds delicious!!
This stew is something I’ve never seen before — I haven’t had sardines in a long time, but I’d definitely give this a try!
This is good . I am not a cook . Just started to make simple healthy meal. I pickled stew as it is easy to make and you do not go wrong. @nd trying stew .. Made this stew with this recipe . I add potatoes and cabbage for more filling. This is nice . I like it really awesome. Though I needed to use local Chinese wine as normal wine was not available. Thank you for the guide.. I love it .. it is awesome taste… I am A big Fan for sardines..
I love Sardines and Tomato soup. I always add fresh basil and butter. Perfect for cold days, good and bad.
Absolutely loved this recipe. I freestyled most of it using this as a base; followed the instructions without the pepper as I only had an orange one and worried that it might be too sweet as my tomatoes were on the sweeter side too. Added tomato puree in place of crushed tomato and a little tomato paste to thicken. Also didn’t have any fish stock so I used a cup of vegetable stock with a tablespoon of fish sauce in place of it. Finished with fresh chopped basil and served it with homemade garlic bread. Fantastic!
Fantastic and easy recipe! I added some fresh basil, fresh oregano and a few tablespoons of butter to finish. Very satisfying!
This sardine stew is my go to comfort soup. No changes needed. I look forward to enjoying some tonight with crusty home baked rustic bread. Many thanks for the recipe!