French Sardine Rillettes
A creamy, flavorful French Sardine Rillettes spread made with sardines, cream cheese, shallots, scallions, fresh herbs, citrus juice, and spices. Perfect for serving with crackers or bread as a quick, elegant appetizer.
8 Servings
Ingredients
For the French Sardine Rillettes:
- 2 3.75-ounce cans sardines packed in olive oil drained
- 2 1/2 ounces Neufchâtel cheese or cream cheese
- 1/4 cup minced shallots or minced red onions soaked briefly in lemon juice
- 1 –2 scallions white and light green portions only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 2 –3 tablespoons minced fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, or dill
- 1/4 cup lime juice or lemon juice or to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Sardines
- Remove the sardines from the cans and place them on a cutting board. Using a small, sharp knife, carefully open each sardine along the belly and back to expose the backbone. Remove and discard the bones and any tails. Set the cleaned sardines aside.
Combine the Cream Cheese and Aromatics
- Place the Neufchâtel cheese or cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, fold and stir the cheese until smooth. Add the minced shallots (or prepared red onions), sliced scallions, fresh herbs, and most of the lime or lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Incorporate the Sardines
- Add the cleaned sardines to the cheese mixture. Using a fork, mash the sardines and fold them into the cheese until fully combined. Season with a pinch of cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust the citrus juice to taste.
Chill or Serve Immediately
- The mixture may be served immediately or chilled for at least 2 hours for a firmer texture. If preparing the rillettes in advance, cover the surface tightly with plastic wrap to prevent air exposure. The spread may be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Serve
- Serve the French Sardine Rillettes on crackers, bread, baguette slices, celery sticks, cucumber rounds, or use it as filling for cherry tomatoes.
Notes
This recipe is naturally gluten-free. To ensure complete gluten-free preparation:
- Confirm that the sardines, cream cheese, and herbs are processed in gluten-free facilities.
- Ensure the lime or lemon juice contains no additives containing gluten.
- Serve with gluten-free crackers, gluten-free bread, or vegetable sticks instead of traditional bread or baguette.
- Avoid cross-contamination by using clean utensils and preparation surfaces.