Ghana Shito Sauce Recipe – How to Make Shitto at Home

Ghana Shito Sauce Recipe – How to Make Shitto at Home

Ghana Shito, also called Shitto, is a beloved Ghanaian hot pepper sauce made from dried fish, ground shrimp, chili, onions, garlic, and spices simmered in oil until dark and rich.

This intensely flavorful sauce is used across Ghana as a condiment, dip, or spicy side dish. If you’re wondering how to make shito or how to make shitto, you’ll be surprised how simple it is using ingredients from your pantry.

What is Ghana Shito

Shito is a spicy, aromatic Ghanaian sauce that serves as a condiment or dip. Traditionally made with dried seafood, it is simmered in oil until the flavors deepen and the color becomes dark brown.

This sauce delivers a rich umami taste with a deep smoky heat.

It is extremely popular in Ghanaian cuisine and is commonly enjoyed with rice, kenkey, waakye, banku, yams, bread, or even pasta. In the UK and elsewhere,

Ghana shito is often sold in jars at African stores, but homemade shito is far tastier and easy to customize to your desired heat level.

Why You Will Love This Homemade Ghana Shito

This recipe for Ghana shito is:

• Easy to make with pantry ingredients
• Full of flavor from dried fish and shrimp
• Long-lasting when stored properly
• Versatile and can be used with nearly any dish
• Budget-friendly and perfect for students or home cooks

Once you learn how to make shito, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again.

How to Make Shito – Ghana Hot Pepper Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 and a half cups vegetable oil
• 3 medium onions, peeled and sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• Half a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
• 2 Scotch bonnet peppers
• 2 tablespoons tomato puree
• Half a cup of dried fish, bones removed
• Half a cup of ground shrimp
• 1 tablespoon chili flakes or powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• Salt to taste

You can find dried fish and shrimp in African or Asian markets.

Instructions – How to Make Shitto

• Cut the dried fish into smaller pieces and remove any bones. Soak in warm water to soften while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for 10 to 15 minutes until soft and golden brown. Remove from the heat and let it cool.
• In a blender, combine the drained fish, garlic, ginger, scotch bonnet peppers, tomato puree, and the sautéed onions with the oil. Blend into a smooth paste.
• Pour the blended mixture back into the pan. Set the heat to low and stir well.
• Add the ground shrimp, chili flakes, ground cloves, and salt. Stir everything together.
• Simmer gently on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning. The sauce should become thick and dark brown. If it looks dry, add a little more oil.
• Let the sauce cool completely. Transfer to a clean jar and cover the top with a thin layer of oil. Store in the fridge.

How to Store Ghana Shito

Because you do not add water while cooking the sauce, this can help the sauce to last for weeks.

Make sure the surface is always covered with a layer of oil. This traditional African method keeps the shito from spoiling even without refrigeration.

• At room temperature, it lasts 2 to 3 weeks if covered with oil
• In the fridge: lasts 4 to 6 weeks or more

What to Eat With Ghana Shito

Shito pairs well with:

• Kenkey
• Banku
• Waakye
• Jollof rice
• Boiled yams
• Bread or toast
• Pasta or noodles
• Grilled meat and fish
• Fried plantain

Shito goes with nearly anything and makes every dish more exciting.

Adjusting the Spice Level

Ghana shito is traditionally very spicy, but you can reduce the heat by using fewer scotch bonnets or chili flakes.

You can also substitute green peppers for a milder version or add more chili to make it hotter.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 275
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 28g
• Cholesterol: 58mg
• Sodium: 191mg

The Bottom Line

Now that you know how to make shito or how to make shitto, you can enjoy this flavorful Ghanaian sauce anytime.

It is rich, spicy, and packed with umami from dried fish and shrimp. Once you try it, Ghana shito will become your go-to condiment for adding bold flavor to everyday meals.