Smoked Sardines in Olive Oil

Smoked sardines in olive oil from Portugal

Smoked sardines in olive oil by José Gourmet are sardines refined with smoke from the La Gondola cannery in Portugal, placed by hand into fine olive oil. Smoky, tender, and aromatic – not just some bland canned fish, but the craft of smoking in an illustrated tin.

Smoked sardines in olive oil are sardines that have been smoked and then hand-packed by José Gourmet from the La Gondola cannery on the Portuguese Atlantic coast. They continue to mature in the tin in fine olive oil, becoming increasingly aromatic – a smoky greeting from the sea that you can bring to your table in seconds. Few ingredients, lots of smoke, genuine artisanal quality.

Smoky, tender, aromatic

When you open the tin, you are greeted by the scent of fine wood smoke. The sardines are tender, the olive oil is mild and well-rounded, with nothing overpowering. The little fish shimmer silver in the oil, just as they did the day they were caught.

On bread, the smoke and fish are perfectly balanced—no harshness, no sharp saltiness, just a soft oiliness that is satisfying. These small sardines like it straightforward: placed on a piece of rustic bread with a glass of wine, this treat needs nothing more. Anyone who loves smoked fish will appreciate these. A smoky classic that never goes out of style and is always a little joy on a good day.

On rustic bread, with salad or wine

The smoked sardines taste great on their own, with salad, on bread, or over pasta, and they are quickly prepared as an appetizer with olives, tomatoes, and herbs. Tossed into a summer salad with tomato and egg, the smoked sardines become a light meal.

Rustic bread carries the smoke best, accompanied by a glass of white or light red wine, and a squeeze of lemon rounds it all off. They feel right at home among our Portuguese sardines and pair perfectly with the smoky smoked mackerel – a small smoking duo for the evening.

La Gondola and the tins from José Gourmet

The sardines come from the La Gondola cannery, one of the oldest fish canning companies in Portugal, founded by Italians in the 1930s and family-owned for over 80 years.

La Gondola uses the pre-cooked method: the fresh Atlantic fish is first gently cooked and smoked, and only then placed in the tin, not raw – this keeps the sardines tender. They continue to mature in oil month after month, gaining depth. This gives the smoked sardines their typical aroma, which knows no rush.

On the outside, José Gourmet turns the tin into an eye-catcher. What Luís Mendonça started in 2008 involves packaging Portugal's fish in artistic sleeves by around 90 illustrators – the motif on this tin is by Manuel Tiango. You eat with your eyes, and the smoke does the rest. You can find more from this world among the fish preserves from José Gourmet.

Next to cheese and pickles on a platter

The 90-gram tin with a 65-gram drained weight is enough as an appetizer for two or as a snack for one. Let it reach room temperature briefly to allow the smoky aroma to open up beautifully. After opening, keep refrigerated and enjoy within one to two days. On a platter next to cheese and pickled vegetables, these little sardines become a quiet feast. Prefer something milder? Then try the small sardines in olive oil.

Content 90 g – Drained weight 65 g