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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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
5 from 16 votes
Tzatziki Sauce
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AuthorSara Welch
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
- I prefer full fat Greek yogurt, but low fat and non fat also work just fine.
- Choose a thin skinned cucumber with minimal seeds such as an English or Persian cucumber.
- High quality olive oil is important here for optimal flavor since this recipe has such a minimal ingredient list.
- 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
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