While often mistaken for one another, there are some clear and obvious differences between the two fish; but there’s no real clear winner on which one is better for you. Sardines are fishy tasting, but quite a bit less pungent than anchovies. Need a trusty appetizer you can make in advance? Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. Before we go over the argument of which is better for you, let’s look at the health benefits of both sardines and anchovies. Our topping is a dynamic blend of caramelized onions and anchovies, topped with arugula and lemon to lighten things up. Is one better for you than the other? Although we tend to paint them with a broad brush, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations lists over 140 types of anchovies. What is an anchovy? Sardines are one of the numerous subspecies of herring. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either sardines or anchovies. Beyond the nutritional values, there is one other very important matter to broach when discussing sardines and anchovies. Ready to enjoy right out of the can, you’ll love their fresh-from-the-sea flavor. Adding either to your diet definitely has some benefits, but as to which one you should go with, depends on how you want to use it in your recipes—as a snack or a part of your lunch. Compared to anchovies, sardines have a milder flavor that’s less intense, yet still a bit briny. To be certain, just look for the seal when you’re shopping. Some brands of anchovies are kosher, like Wild Planet’s White Anchovies in water. Make a restaurant-worthy starter right at home with classic ingredients like crisp romaine, salty Parmesan, and a creamy dressing. Nicole Gulotta is a writer, author, and tea enthusiast. When used sparingly, this paste can go practically undetected in recipes like tomato sauce, salad dressing, and anchovy butter. It also depends on which flavor you prefer. All rights reserved. At first glance, you might think that anchovies and sardines are the same fish—or at least the same type of fish. Sardines are a bigger fish than anchovies (sardines can be 12 to 20 centimeters in length whereas anchovies usually don’t get much bigger than 5 centimeters). The calcium and phosphorus in sardines and anchovies are good for strong bones and teeth. All rights reserved. This is all a matter of taste, mind you, as both fish can be used in various recipes in different ways. Anchovies are typically packed in oil or water, and stocked on grocery store shelves with other canned fish.. Getting your anchovy questions answered is step number one in embracing this tiny fish. The jaw of a sardine protrudes a little more than anchovies. But as similar as they may seem, sardines and anchovies are actually two distinctly different fish. This 15-minute side dish cooks in a flash. Note the differences and the similarities between the two fish. Additionally, consider any particular health conditions you have. Another legend says Caesar’s brother, Alex (a World War I air pilot), came to Tijuana to help his brother run the restaurant, then created a dressing that included anchovies for an appetizer named “Aviator’s Salad” in honor of their clientele. However, everyone is not up for the full bone-in and skin-on experience of a sardine, so we’ve taken the time to taste and research the top canned sardines for every taste profile. But anchovies are so powerful that many find them unpleasant to eat without other flavors to balance out the saltiness. Sardines are native to the southern Mediterranean.