Name: Sardine Egg Scramble Stir-Fry
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil; ½ medium onion, minced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 –2 bird’s eye chilies, sliced (adjust to taste); 1 can (155 g / 5.5 oz) sardines in tomato sauce; 1/2 cup water; 2 -3 eggs; 1 tsp (5 ml) fish sauce, or to taste; 1 tsp (5 ml) seasoning sauce (optional, like Golden Mountain Sauce or Maggi); Juice from 1/2 lime, or to taste; Optional: chopped cilantro or spring onions, for garnish; Steamed rice, for serving

Make this 10-minute sardine egg scramble stir-fry! The ultimate lazy-day meal that’s saucy, savoury, and so satisfying with rice.

This Sardine Scramble Stir Fry is what I make when I’m extra lazy, but still need to make dinner. The kind of “I can’t be bothered but I still want something real” meal. It’s a spin-off of my sambal sardines, except more accessible for the days I don’t always have sambal ready to go.

It’s my go-to quick fix on days when I’ve run out of brain power, and maybe if the fridge is running a little low on supplies… Though honestly, I find myself craving this even on non-lazy, non-busy days. Sometimes I’ll whip this up as a quick lunch idea because it’s that good. OH, and if you serve this with some bread, and you have a great breakfast too.

If you’ve already prepped your aromatics (onions, garlic, and chilies), this dish is a breeze to make, everything comes together in one pan in under 10 minutes. It’s protein-packed, and honestly a way better choice than reaching for instant noodles (no judgment though, I love those too). This sardine egg scramble stir-fry is the ultimate lazy-day hack that still feels comforting, nourishing, and oddly addictive.

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What Is Sardine Egg Scramble Stir-Fry?

This is your everyday pantry hero. It starts with humble canned sardines in tomato sauce (something almost everyone has stashed in their cupboard) which turns into a savoury, saucy egg scramble that’s ultra flavourful.

The sardines give the dish a rich umami base, the eggs make it creamy and hearty, and the aromatics (onion, garlic, and bird’s eye chili) bring everything to life with spice and depth. A splash of fish sauce and seasoning sauce ties it all together, transforming the simple can of sardines into something more-ish. You’ll keep dipping for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ready in 10 minutes — faster than ordering takeout
One-pan meal — minimal effort, minimal cleanup
Protein-packed — thanks to the sardines and eggs combo
Flavour bomb — savoury, spicy, and saucy all at once
Pantry-friendly — everything comes from your kitchen staples
Customizable — toss in any veggies you like for a balanced meal

Key Ingredients

Sardines in Tomato Sauce: The star of the show. It’s flavorful on its own, but cooking it down with aromatics and sauces makes it taste fresh and homemade.

Eggs: Adds creaminess, protein, and body to the dish. Use two or three, depending on how rich you like it.

Onion, Garlic, and Bird’s Eye Chili: The flavour trio that brings this dish to life with aroma and spice! Skip the chillies if you want to keep this heat-free.

Fish Sauce and Seasoning Sauce: Add fish sauce to season the dish with a savoury umami depth. Optional, but I like to add an extra layer of seasoning with Golden Mountain or Maggi. Soy sauce or even just salt can work as well.

Lime Juice: To finish off the dish, squeeze lime (or lemon) over. It immediately freshens up the dish and helps to offset any fishiness.

Key Steps to Making It

1. Sauté aromatics

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.

Add sliced onions, minced garlic, and bird’s eye chilies. Sauté until fragrant and the onions turn translucent.

2. Add sardines

Add the entire can of sardines with the tomato sauce.

Pour in water to create a saucier dish.

Tip

Pour water into the same sardine can, give it a quick shake to loosen the remaining tomato sauce. Pour it into the pan.

Gently break up the sardines and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes.

NOTE: There are soft bones in the sardines. I don’t mind them, but if you do, then you might want to remove them before adding the sardines to the pan.

3. Add eggs

Pour in the eggs (or crack them directly into the pan).

Gently scramble the eggs, or swirl it into the saucy sardines. Avoid over-scrambling for soft, saucy curds.

4. Season

Add fish sauce and seasoning sauce, if using.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

5. Garnish and serve

Turn off the heat.

Squeeze lime juice over.

Top with chopped cilantro or spring onions if desired.

Serve immediately with steamed rice or bread!

Pro tip

I usually make a quick leafy veggie stir-fry before cooking this, using the same pan. But if you want to turn this into a one-pan wholesome dish, you can toss in the veggies directly to the stir fry too. I’ve used my frozen mixed veggies for this!

How to Serve

With rice: The classic and most satisfying way to enjoy it.

With bread or toast: Makes a surprisingly great breakfast or brunch dish.

With noodles: Toss it into noodles or spaghetti for a quick, spicy pasta-style meal.

Tips and Tricks

Don’t over-scramble the eggs — gently fold and swirl for that soft, saucy texture.
Adjust the bird’s eye chillies to heat tolerance! I like to do 2-3 bird’s eye chillies, but 1-2 is a tolerable spice level for most.
Omit if you want a completely spice-free dish (or if serving kids!).
If the sauce tastes too tomatoey, balance it with a small splash of soy sauce or lime juice.
Add veggies like spinach, kale, or frozen mixed vegetables to make it a one-pan balanced meal.
Garnish with fried shallots or crispy garlic for texture and aroma.

Storing and Reheating

To store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

To reheat: Warm gently in a pan over low heat, or microwave for 30–40 seconds. If it looks dry, add a splash of water or a drizzle of oil to loosen it up.

Meal prep tip: Store the sardine scramble separately from the rice so you can reheat only what you need.

More Recipes Like This

Sambal Sardines | Easy recipe for Canned Sardines in Tomato Sauce

Tomato Egg Stir Fry