Rinse fresh sardines under cold water and pat dry
Remove scales if needed
Cut off heads if desired
Gut the sardines and remove the innards
Rinse the cavity and pat dry again
Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice
Coat lightly with flour if pan-frying
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat
Cook sardines for 2 to 4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through
Grill sardines over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side
Bake sardines at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes
Broil sardines for 3 to 5 minutes per side
Serve with lemon wedges and herbs
For canned sardines, drain and eat as is or warm gently in a pan