Ghanaian food guide · Yado Market Blog
What Is Shito? How to Eat Ghana's Black Pepper Sauce
Smoky, spicy and deeply savory, shito is the condiment every Ghanaian kitchen keeps on hand. Here's what's in it, what it tastes like, and all the ways to eat it, from kenkey and waakye to eggs on toast.
By the Yado African & Caribbean Market team · Updated September 2026 · 5 min read
The quick answer
Shito is a spicy Ghanaian black pepper sauce made by slowly frying dried chili pepper, dried fish, dried shrimp, onion, ginger and garlic in plenty of oil until dark and fragrant. It tastes hot, smoky and savory, with a rich umami depth from the seafood. Ghanaians eat it with kenkey, banku, waakye, jollof rice, yam, plantain, eggs and just about everything else.
What Is Shito?
"Shito" simply means "pepper" in the Ga language of Ghana. The sauce is cooked low and slow, sometimes for more than an hour, until the ingredients turn almost black and the oil rises to the top. That long frying is what gives shito its deep, smoky flavor and helps it keep for weeks.
Every family and brand has its own recipe. Some are fiery hot, others milder and sweeter, and some add tomato paste, bell pepper or spices like anise and cloves.
What's in Shito?
The classic building blocks:
Dried chili pepper
Ground hot pepper for the heat and deep red-black color.
Dried fish & shrimp
Smoked herring, anchovies or dried shrimp for savory, umami depth.
Aromatics
Onion, ginger and garlic, blended and fried until sweet and caramelized.
Oil
Lots of vegetable oil, which carries the flavor and preserves the sauce.
Pairings
How to Eat Shito: 8 Best Foods to Pair It With
Shito is served on the side, a spoonful at a time. It's strong, so start small.
Kenkey & fried fish
The classic Ghanaian plate.
Waakye
Rice and beans with shito, gari and boiled egg.
Banku & tilapia
Grilled tilapia, banku and a side of shito.
Jollof & fried rice
A spoonful adds smoky heat to any rice dish.
Yam & plantain
Boiled or fried yam, kelewele or ripe plantain.
Eggs & bread
Spread on toast or stir into scrambled eggs.
Noodles
Toss with instant noodles for a spicy upgrade.
Grilled meat
Use as a dip for chicken, kebabs or suya.
How to store shito
Shito keeps for weeks thanks to its long frying and oil. After opening, store it in the fridge and always use a clean, dry spoon. Keep a layer of oil on top to help it stay fresh.
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Where to Buy Shito
Get authentic Ghanaian shito, plus kenkey, waakye powder and quick banku flour to go with it, at 1651 E 87th St in Chicago or online with U.S. shipping.
