What Is Shito And How Do You Use It?

Ghanaian food may not be the first thought that pops into your head when attempting to change up your cooking routine — but maybe it should be. It's not the most widely known cuisine in the world, but it boasts some real gems when it comes to flavor. If you haven't tried Shito, it's time to enliven your meals with spicy and savory aromas and flavor notes. This complex sauce of peppers, fish, and herbs has a place in every Ghana household, according to Epicurius, which noted that each cook has their own secret formula for a perfect batch.

Shito, also called Shitor, usually contains oil, onions, garlic, peppers, spices, and fish, per Splendid Table. Chefs often use this beloved sauce as a condiment, marinade, salad dressing, or spread. Basically, you can put it on anything. Some compare it to the Malaysian spread sambal belacan, which features dried shrimp paste, a New York Times Cooking recipe.

Shito is to Ghana as tomato sauce is to Italy. Every family has a different recipe and a unique idea of what brings the flavors to life, Epicurius reported. This incredible sauce comes together in a pan over medium heat, according to a Splendid Table recipe. After sautéing garlic and onions, add peppers, chilis, herbs, and seasonings, really you can add whatever you want. You'll finish the sauce with fish powders — prawn and crayfish, for example. Cook for a bit longer until the sauce turns dark brown and develops an oil on top. From there, you can either blend the final product to make it smooth or leave it chunky.

If you're planning on putting your shito in a jar or container for storage, make sure to leave about ½ inch of oil on top. It should keep for about a month in the fridge, provided it's all sealed up.

Many countries boast a native sauce that is unique to their people and culture. Ghana's favorite condiment, Shito, has a peppery, savory, fishy quality that is difficult to replicate. It's a pantry staple in Ghana but not always easy to find stateside. If you can't get your hands on this flavorful spread, and making it from scratch isn't an option, Sambal Belacan makes a delicious substitute, according to Epicurius.

Sambal Belacan is a Malaysian condiment that's extremely similar to Shito. Serious Eats reported that the Malaysian option features fermented shrimp paste to achieve a particular saltiness. In a roundup of chili sauces, it also contains a distinct lime flavor, per Food52. That's where it differs from Shito, which includes dried fish powder. In Shito, you'll notice gingery notes as well as an oily quality that makes it more of a paste. Many kinds of Sambal exist, and each has a unique country of origin.

Shito, a powerful, peppery chili paste, has a place in most Ghanaian kitchens, according to Epicurius. If you want to infuse your cooking with the flavors of Ghana, Shito should have a place on your plate.

After you've purchased or prepared your shito, there's a little learning curve when it comes to implementing it in your kitchen. If you're averse to consuming it on bread or crackers, try Ghanaian fish and chips, a recipe from The Guardian. The recipe includes shito and shito mayo to put an African spin on a British classic. Or, you could try Gousto Cookbook's Ghanaian Rice and Beans with Shito-Stye Chili Sauce.

African Food Network likens Shito to an African version of Ketchup. You can eat it on meat and fish, or practically anything you want. Marinate your meat perfectly, or use it as a dip or a spread. As long as you're a fan of spice, your palette is calling out for shito.

If you're looking to enliven your cooking with Shito, you'll either have to make it yourself or know where to buy it. While you can always turn to Amazon, which has a plethora of varieties that range in price, your neighborhood grocery store may stock it as well. If they do, it'll be located in the ethnic food aisle or near the hot sauce, according to Thrive Cuisine. You can also check out Target and Walmart for their selections.

If you aren't well-versed in shito, you might want to brush up before setting out to shop. It helps to be somewhat familiar with the brands out there when you're browsing around for your own shito. Epicurious noted that the popular brand Ghana Best is not actually owned by Ghanaians. If that aspect is important to you, Ghanaian-owned Oh Shito! might be a hot pepper sauce better suited for your pantry.

Shito is a fiery chili pepper sauce made with dried fish, according to Epicurius. If you needed another reason to add it to your diet, it packs as much nutrition as it does flavor. Healthline reports that hot chili peppers — you can use whatever kind of chilis you want — are packed with healthy perks. They're rich in vitamins like vitamin C, B6, K1, and A, as well as potassium and copper. Hot peppers are also a rich source of capsaicin, which is linked to a number of health benefits. For example, capsaicin may help with pain relief.

This Ghanaian hot pepper sauce also contains healthy amounts of dried fish powder. Dried fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. It also promotes heart, brain, and mental health and reduces inflammation, per Health Guide.

Weight loss app My Fitness Pal breaks down the nutritional value of the brand Ghana Best Shito. Per serving, it contains 57 calories and .66 grams of protein.