Tacos de Sardina en Salsa Roja (Sardine Tacos in Red Salsa)
A cheap and cheerful Mexican home favourite: tinned sardines simmered in a spicy tomato salsa and piled into tortillas.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.69 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a wide pan over a medium heat and cook half the onion for 3 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4 min - 2
Pour in your salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) and bring to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes.
3 min - 3
Add the drained sardines, breaking them into chunky pieces with a fork. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through and the sauce clings.
4 min - 4
Warm your ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 20 to 30 seconds a side.
- 5
Fill the tortillas with the sardines, top with cabbage, the remaining onion and coriander, and serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Check carefully for any large bones if you do not like them. Sardine bones are soft and edible, but some people prefer to remove them.
- Use sardines in olive oil or in tomato sauce. If in tomato sauce, reduce the salsa by a third.
- Squeeze plenty of lime in to cut the richness.
- Add a chopped jalapeno or a little salsa taquera for heat.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days. Cool within 1 to 2 hours and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Do not freeze.
Questions
Is this a real Mexican dish?
Yes. Tinned sardines in tomato are an everyday, budget food, eaten in tacos, tortas and tostadas across Mexico.
Can I use mackerel instead?
Yes. Tinned mackerel in oil works well. Drain it and flake it into the sauce.
Are these tacos gluten free and dairy free?
Yes. Sardines, salsa, vegetables and masa harina tortillas contain no gluten, dairy, egg or nuts. Check the sardine tin for any added ingredients.
More made with salsa ranchera
Huevos Ahogados en Salsa Ranchera (Eggs Poached in Ranchera Sauce)
NFVEjotes con Salsa Ranchera (Mexican Green Beans)
GFDFEFAlbondigón Relleno de Huevo con Salsa Ranchera (Mexican Meatloaf Stuffed with Egg)
DFNFHPPastel Azteca (Mexican Tortilla Lasagne)
GFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.