Sardines in Spicy Olive Oil

Sardines in spicy olive oil with a delicate piri-piri heat

Nuri's sardines in spicy olive oil are whole Portuguese sardines in olive oil with piri-piri, pleasantly seasoned and not too hot. The savory classic from Matosinhos, known in Portuguese as em azeite picante.

Sardines in spicy olive oil are whole sardines from the traditional manufacturer Nuri in Matosinhos, packed in olive oil with a fine portion of piri-piri. The heat is pleasant, not extreme—first you taste the buttery fish, then a warm, spicy note follows. The right tin for anyone who likes things a bit spicy, but not fiery. If you enjoy heat but don't want it to be overwhelming, this is exactly the tin for you.

Pleasantly spicy, never too much

The spicy sardines are noticeably seasoned but beautifully balanced—the piri-piri tickles the palate without overpowering the fish.

At first, you taste the tender, buttery sardine and the rounded olive oil, then the heat settles warmly over it and fades gently. This balance makes the tin so suitable for everyday use: spicy enough to enjoy, mild enough to eat often. Anyone just discovering spicy sardines for themselves is in the right place here, as they taste buttery, savory, hearty, and always pleasantly balanced.

The all-rounder for every day

Sardines in spicy olive oil go with almost everything and are on the plate in seconds, whether as a quick snack or a savory ingredient. Hardly any other tin is this effortlessly delightful.

They are right at home on crusty bread with tomato and a pinch of salt, flaked over pasta with garlic, or on a salad with egg and olives. The spicy oil is an essential part of it; it brings zest to every dish. If you prefer it milder, reach for the classic sardines in olive oil; if you are looking for more fire, try the extra spicy version from our Portuguese tinned fish selection.

Handcrafted in Matosinhos since 1920

Nuri is part of Conservas Pinhais, founded in 1920 in the fishing port of Matosinhos—one of the few remaining Portuguese manufacturers that still packs its sardines by hand to this day.

A tin of Nuri requires 37 manual steps, and almost all are performed by human hands. Experienced women clean, head, and carefully place each sardine before the oil with piri-piri is added. The Nuri brand has existed since 1935, and since 2016, Austrian Jakob Glatz has been running the traditional company. A legend says the name comes from a love for a Spanish woman named Nuria—love at first sight in the middle of a sales trip. That is the taste of lived artisanal tradition. Hats off.

Toasted bread soaks up the spicy oil

A slice of toasted bread that soaks up the spicy oil is the best place for the hot sardines—add a cold beer, and that’s all you need.

Unopened, the sardines last for years and even become more rounded in flavor over time. Once opened, store them covered in the refrigerator; they will taste even spicier the next day. A small supply in the cupboard, and a hearty meal is always at hand. Especially on days when you don't feel like cooking, such a tin saves dinner. You can find more from the Nuri range with us, from mild sardines to gift sets.

Net weight 125g – Drained weight 90g