Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (2024)

This tzatziki sauce is a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic and fresh herbs, all mixed together to make a zesty condiment or dip. Homemade tzatziki takes just minutes to make, and tastes way better than what you’d buy at the grocery store.

I love to recreate my favorite Mediterranean dishes at home such as falafel, tabbouleh, baba ganoush and this refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce. I like to serve this sauce with pita bread as an appetizer, or pair it with grilled chicken or lamb as a main course.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (1)

Whenever I go to my local Greek restaurant, I order a side of tzatziki sauce. This cool and creamy condiment is a great dipping sauce for meats, vegetables, potatoes, bread and more. My version of this classic dish can be on the table in 10 minutes, and will make any Mediterranean style meal taste more authentic.

Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients

The ingredients for this recipe are simple and can be found at all major grocery stores.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (2)
  • Greek Yogurt: This dip can be made with any type of plain Greek yogurt. That being said, full fat yogurt makes for the creamiest sauce. I’ve also made this recipe with low fat and non fat yogurt with great results.
  • Cucumber: Choose a thin skinned cucumber such as English or Persian cucumber for the best results.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is the way to go here, and a little goes a long way.
  • Olive Oil: I prefer to use a high quality extra virgin olive oil since this dip has a minimal ingredient list and the flavor of every ingredient really counts.
  • Dill: Fresh dill is important to the success of this recipe; I find that the dried dill isn’t quite as flavorful.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is the perfect counterpart to the creamy yogurt.
  • Seasonings: Add salt and pepper to really accentuate the flavors of the other ingredients.

How do you make tzatziki sauce?

Start with an English cucumber, then shred it by using a box grater. Squeeze the excess water from the grated cucumber. Place the cucumber in a bowl with Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic and dill. Stir everything together until it’s well combined. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and more dill, then serve and enjoy.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (3)

Tips for the perfect yogurt sauce

  • I like to use full fat yogurt for the creamiest dip, but fat free and low fat yogurt will also work.
  • This sauce works best with Greek yogurt. If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can strain regular plain yogurt and use that instead.
  • While I like the flavor of dill in this tzatziki sauce, other great options include parsley, mint, chives or a combination of herbs.
  • I use English cucumber in my tzatziki because it’s seedless and has a thin skin. You can use a traditional waxy cucumber, just be sure to peel it and remove the seeds. Small Persian cucumbers also work really well.
  • You can add other flavors to your sauce including diced kalmata olives, or add more garnishes such as toasted pine nuts or sun dried tomatoes.
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (4)

Recipe FAQs

What is tzatziki sauce?

Tzatziki sauce is a yogurt based dip that’s popular in both Greek and Turkish cuisines. The sauce contains a strained or Greek style yogurt, along with cucumbers, olive oil, a tangy component such as lemon juice or vinegar, and fresh herbs. This dip is served chilled and is typically offered as an appetizer.

How long will tzatziki last?

the last minute. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the yogurt can curdle or separate upon being thawed.

Is tzatziki sauce healthy?

Tzatziki sauce contains ingredients that are all considered healthy including yogurt, olive oil and cucumbers. This is a protein packed dip that’s filled with nutrients and a great addition to any healthy eating plan. If you’re watching your calories, be sure to choose a low fat or non fat yogurt.

What do you eat with tzatziki sauce?

This sauce is often served as an appetizer with pita bread, or can be used to top grilled chicken or fish. It’s also great in sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce for potatoes.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (5)

Whether you’re serving this dip with grilled chicken or as a lighter appetizer option, it’s sure to be a big hit with family and friends!

More Mediterranean dishes

  • Fattoush Salad
  • Homemade Hummus
  • Chicken Souvlaki
  • Muhammara Dip
  • Chopped Greek Salad

Tzatziki Sauce Video

This tzatziki sauce is a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic and fresh herbs, all mixed together to make a zesty condiment or dip. Homemade tzatziki takes just minutes to make, and tastes way better than what you'd buy at the grocery store.

Time

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time1 minute minute

Total Time11 minutes minutes

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup grated cucumber such as English cucumber
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Squeeze excess water from the cucumber.

  • Place the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl.

  • Stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined.

  • Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped dill before serving.

Notes

  1. I prefer full fat Greek yogurt, but low fat and non fat also work just fine.
  2. Choose a thin skinned cucumber with minimal seeds such as an English or Persian cucumber.
  3. High quality olive oil is important here for optimal flavor since this recipe has such a minimal ingredient list.
  4. I really recommend using fresh dill as it’s so much more flavorful than dried. If you do need to use dried dill, use 1/3 of the amount as you would for fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 164mg | Potassium: 71mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @dinneratthezoo on Instagram and hashtag it #dinneratthezoo

Originally Posted February 15, 2022

CategoriesAppetizers

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Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (12)
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is tzatziki sauce made of? ›

What is tzatziki? Tzatziki is a salted yogurt and cucumber dip that's made of strained yogurt, shredded cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and herbs. Authentic Greek tzatziki is most often made with sheep or goat yogurt, but my tzatziki recipe calls for regular full-fat Greek yogurt.

Is tzatziki made from yogurt or sour cream? ›

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt), cucumbers, garlic, and sometimes fresh herbs such as dill or mint.

What is tzatziki sauce good with? ›

Tzatziki is good friends with grilled and roasted meats, especially juicy lamb chops. Serve it up with a crunchy fattoush salad – a combination of torn pitta, cooling cucumber, ripe tomatoes, sweet lettuce and refreshing mint – for a bonus hit of fresh, summer flavour.

How long does homemade tzatziki keep? ›

Tzatziki sauce should be kept in a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator when you're not using it. As long as it's stored properly, you can expect homemade tzatziki to last about three to four days. This will depend on how fresh the yogurt was when you made the sauce.

Is tzatziki healthier than hummus? ›

Yes, tzatziki is considered a healthier dip than hummus and sour cream. It contains several vitamins, a good amount of protein, and fewer carbohydrates and calories. The fat content of tzatziki is low too, which is not the case with other dips.

How long does tzatziki last in the fridge? ›

Tzatziki will last about four days in the fridge before it starts to go bad. While you can freeze it, it will change a bit in regards to texture and consistency when it comes time to thawing it out.

Why does my tzatziki taste bitter? ›

Your main ingredient – the cucumber – is often the culprit. To avoid this, make sure that you choose the right variety: English and Persian cucumbers have very little, or no, bitterness. Also sample a slice before grating and avoid using the ends as this is where the bitter compounds will be most concentrated.

What is a substitute for Greek yogurt in tzatziki? ›

"I wanted a tangy Tzatziki sauce, but didn't have any plain yogurt on hand. This recipe is made with sour cream instead of plain yogurt, and tastes WONDERFUL!"

Does tzatziki contain mayonnaise? ›

Mix together cucumber, yogurt, sour cream, mayonnaise, and garlic in a serving bowl; season with salt and pepper.

Is tzatziki good for your gut? ›

Conclusion. Tzatziki is not only a tasty, multi-use sauce, it's also a smart food pick. Its blend of yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs delivers key nutrients, which are proposed to support heart health, gut health, and may even lower diabetes risk.

Is tzatziki good for blood pressure? ›

We make our tzatziki sauce with garlic grown in our raised garden beds, which brings its own health benefits into the mix. Garlic helps with conditions such as high or low blood pressure, high cholesterol, inherited high cholesterol, and coronary heart disease.

Is tzatziki anti inflammatory? ›

Yes! Tzatziki sauce is perfect healthy snack, especially thanks to protein-packed greek yogurt, shredded cucumber and anti-inflammatory garlic. It's as simple as it sounds: yogurt cucumber sauce!

Is Trader Joe's tzatziki good? ›

VERDICT: Trader Joe's tzatziki had a lovely, refreshing taste and a mellow garlic flavor that I found simply irresistible.

Can I freeze tzatziki? ›

You're in luck! I've made this one myself and it is delicious. Enjoy it fresh or you can freeze it as well. I've frozen it in a container, placed plastic wrap over the sauce so that it is touching the sauce and then place the lid on top.

How do you thicken homemade tzatziki? ›

You can thicken it by placing a piece of cheesecloth over the top of a wide mouthed jar and holding it in place with some rubber bands. Fill the cheesecloth with your sauce, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The excess water will drain out and the sauce will be thicker.

Is tzatziki healthy to eat? ›

Conclusion. Tzatziki is not only a tasty, multi-use sauce, it's also a smart food pick. Its blend of yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs delivers key nutrients, which are proposed to support heart health, gut health, and may even lower diabetes risk.

What does tzatziki sauce taste like? ›

Cucumber Freshness: Tzatziki is typically made with grated or finely chopped cucumber, which adds a refreshing, slightly sweet taste and a subtle, light and crisp texture. Herbaceous: Fresh dill adds the signature vibrant, citrus-like taste, with a slightly grassy undertone.

What's the difference between tzatziki and dill dip? ›

The only difference is that a Tzatziki Sauce has a tablespoon of lemon juice and a couple of cloves of minced garlic added to these same ingredients I used below. The ingredients need for this Cucumber Dill Sauce for so simple. It's just cucumber, Greek yogurt, milk and chopped fresh dill.

Is tzatziki inflammatory? ›

Tzatziki sauce is perfect healthy snack, especially thanks to protein-packed greek yogurt, shredded cucumber and anti-inflammatory garlic. It's as simple as it sounds: yogurt cucumber sauce!

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