If your sardines are frozen, defrost them by rinsing them with cold water and covering them with a generous coating of sea salt.

Let them sit for about 30-40 minutes to absorb the salt. After that, drain any excess moisture from the container they’re in and keep chilled until ready to cook.

Heat up the grill to medium-high heat.

Place the sardines on a slightly greased charcoal or gas grill on medium high heat. Let the sardines cook until they turn golden brown and crispy, then turn gently to repeat on the other side. The fish are delicate, so be careful not to break the skin when turning. To make this process easier (and to prevent the sardines from falling apart) use a greased grilling basket! 

When they are fully cooked, cover them with foil and place them on a platter until ready to serve.

Serve them with crusty bread and olive oil for drizzling. If you like heat, they are delicious topped off with some Portuguese Hot Pepper Sauce (recipe farther below in the post).