Rinse the sardines thoroughly under cold water and remove the heads and guts.
Layer the cleaned sardines in a glass dish, sprinkling them with salt. Let them sit for 1 hour to draw out moisture.
In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Place the salted sardines into a clean glass jar, layering them with garlic, black peppercorns, bay leaves, lemon slices, and red chili flakes.
Pour the hot pickling liquid over the sardines, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before consuming.
The pickled sardines will develop a richer flavor over time and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.
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