Griot

What is Griot?

Griot is a well-loved Haitian dish made from chunks of pork shoulder. The meat is soaked in citrus juice, then seasoned with a mixture of local herbs, vegetables, and spices known as epis. After marinating, the pork is cooked until tender and then fried to create a crisp, golden crust. Griot is usually served hot, paired with sides like fried plantains (bannann peze), spicy pickled vegetables (pikliz), or rice. The dish is known for its bold, tangy, and spicy flavors.

Where does Griot come from?

Griot comes from Haiti, where it has become a staple at social gatherings and celebrations. The dish uses pork shoulder, a cut that becomes tender with slow cooking. Marinating meat in citrus and local spices is a common practice in Haitian kitchens, and griot reflects these traditions. While its exact beginnings are not detailed in the sources, griot is often mentioned alongside rice and beans as a central part of Haitian food culture.

How is Griot made?

To prepare griot, pork shoulder is first cleaned and soaked in citrus juice for flavor. The meat is then marinated in epis, a blend of Haitian herbs, vegetables, and spices. After marinating, the pork is braised or roasted until it becomes tender. The cooking liquid is sometimes used to make a sauce called sòs ti-malis. Finally, the pork pieces are deep-fried until they are brown and crisp on the outside.

How and when is Griot eaten?

Griot is typically served hot, making it a popular choice for lunch or dinner. It is a common feature at parties and festive gatherings in Haiti. The dish is almost always accompanied by pikliz, a spicy pickled slaw, and often comes with fried plantains or rice. Griot is eaten with family and friends, and its bold flavors make it a centerpiece at many social meals.

Kinds of Griot

While the basic method for making griot remains the same, cooks may use different blends of herbs and spices in their epis marinade. Some may prefer braising over roasting, or adjust the level of heat by changing the amount of scotch bonnet pepper. Griot is sometimes compared to other pork dishes from the Caribbean and Latin America, such as carnitas or pernil.

What Griot means

Griot holds a special place in Haitian culture, especially at celebrations and gatherings. It is often served at parties and is a symbol of hospitality and togetherness. The dish is frequently paired with other Haitian favorites like bannann peze and pikliz, and is sometimes mentioned as a national dish of Haiti, especially when served with rice and beans.

Questions people ask about Griot

Good reading and sources

• Six Haitian Staples and Specialities to TryEater, Article

• Griot (food) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data