Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Ghanaian Grilled Tilapia with Kpakpo Shito Sauce

Name: Ghanaian Grilled Tilapia with Kpakpo Shito Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 whole tilapias, cleaned and scaled; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 15 Kpakpo Shito peppers, or substitute with green chilies; 2 medium onions, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; Salt, to taste; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon sugar; Lemon wedges; Fresh parsley, chopped

This Ghanaian delicacy features whole tilapia grilled to perfection, paired with a vibrant and spicy Kpakpo Shito sauce that enhances its natural flavors.

4.1(507 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 5, 2026

Ghanaian Grilled Tilapia with Kpakpo Shito Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Grilled Tilapia

For the Kpakpo Shito Sauce

For Serving

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 365 kcal
Protein: 41.1 g
Carbs: 10 g
Fat: 17.85 g
Fiber: 1.35 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1458 kcal
Protein: 164.5 g
Carbs: 40 g
Fat: 71.4 g
Fiber: 5.4 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 whole tilapias cleaned and scaled	800	160	0	16	0
3 tablespoons vegetable oil	360	0	0	40.8	0
2 teaspoons salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 teaspoon black pepper	6	0.3	1.5	0.1	0.7
2 cloves garlic minced	9	0.4	2	0	0
1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated	5	0.1	1	0.1	0.2
1 tablespoon lemon juice	4	0.1	1	0	0.1
15 Kpakpo Shito peppers or substitute with green chilies	30	1	7	0.5	0.2
2 medium onions finely chopped	88	2	20	0.2	3.8
2 cloves garlic	9	0.4	2	0	0
1 tablespoon vegetable oil	120	0	0	13.6	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar	3	0	0.1	0	0
1 teaspoon sugar	16	0	4	0	0
Lemon wedges	6	0.1	2	0.1	0.1
Fresh parsley chopped	2	0.1	0.4	0.1	0.3

These estimates are not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Tilapia

1
Prepare the marinade
In a bowl, mix the vegetable oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, ginger, and lemon juice to create a marinade.
2
Rub the tilapia
Rub the marinade generously over the tilapia, ensuring it covers all sides.
3
Marinate the fish
Place the fish in a dish, cover, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Tip: Marinate the tilapia overnight for a more intense flavor infusion.

Preparing the Kpakpo Shito Sauce

1
Blend ingredients
Blend the Kpakpo Shito peppers, onions, and garlic until smooth.
2
Heat the oil
Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
3
Cook the sauce
Add the blended mixture to the saucepan and cook until fragrant, then season with salt, vinegar, and sugar.
Tip: Do not overcook the sauce; it should maintain a fresh, vibrant flavor. Add a splash of water if it becomes too thick.

How to Make Ghanaian Grilled Tilapia with Kpakpo Shito Sauce

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Grill the tilapia
Preheat the grill to medium heat and oil the grates. Place the marinated tilapia on the grill and cook for 7-8 minutes per side until fully cooked and flaky.
2
Simmer the sauce
Simmer the Kpakpo Shito sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, then let it cool slightly before serving.
3
Garnish
Sprinkle fresh parsley over the grilled tilapia right before serving for a burst of freshness.