Tzatziki Sauce

This tzatziki sauce recipe features just 5 ingredients for a cool, creamy, and delicious sauce or dip for a variety of dishes.

Mediterranean food is by far my favorite cuisine. And since I am a condiment queen, I had to try my hand at tzatziki sauce (which is exceedingly delicious when made from scratch), and so easy to make. Much like my roasted red pepper hummus and baba ganoush, this homemade tzatziki recipe is a stellar accouterment to virtually any Greek or Mediterranean dish. Along with being a favorite creamy topper for Mediterranean grain bowls, Greek souvlaki, and even pizza, this tzatziki sauce recipe also shows off yogurt’s double-duty prowess as a terrific veg/chip/everything else saucer.

Why You’ll Love It

• This creamy tzatziki sauce is a refreshing, cool counterpart to a variety of dishes
• It’s fast and easy to make, with just 5 ingredients!
• Homemade tzatziki is so much more delicious and fresh than store-bought varieties

What is Tzatziki Sauce Made of?

• Cucumber—you can use any variety of cucumber you prefer, however, an English or Persian cucumber eliminates the need for peeling because they have softer skins and no seeds. If using garden cucumbers, peel the cucumber and scrape out the seeds before grating.
• Greek yogurt—I prefer using 2% or 5% fat Greek yogurt for this, but you can use whatever fat percentage you like (just make sure it’s plain!)
• Garlic—adds a bit of heat with salt and pepper to balance things out. A bit of acid balances the tang.
• Red wine vinegar—If you’d prefer, lemon juice can be substituted
• Fresh dill—using fresh dill is pretty much essential for this sauce. In the directions I suggest 1 rounded tablespoon, but feel free to add more to your liking.
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—always, for flavor

Find the complete recipe with measurements below

How to Make Tzatziki Sauce

Cucumbers are mainly made of water and when mixed with the yogurt and vinegar will release that water creating the potential for a watery tzatziki sauce. You may be tempted to simply chop your cucumbers to help solve this dilemma, but that would diminish the fresh cucumber flavor. Instead, use grated cucumber.

• Grate and squeeze the cucumber. Grate the cucumber on the large side of a box grater. Gather the cucumber and place it in a paper towel, squeezing to release the excess moisture. Place the cucumber in a medium-sized bowl. You can discard the liquid or save it to add to green juice or smoothies!
• Mix it all up. Add the yogurt, garlic, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, kosher salt, and pepper, and mix well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using.

FAQ and Recipe Tips

• For the yummiest tzatziki, use a fuller-fat yogurt. I like 2% Greek yogurt, but 5% would be delicious and a bit richer.
• Choose a firm cucumber. To tell if a cucumber is firm or not, press the ends of the cucumber with your finger. If there’s no give, the cucumber is still firm and will give a crisp bite. If it’s soft, the cucumber is too ripe and will be mushy.
• Watch the garlic. Since it’s raw garlic, a little bit goes a long way in tzatziki sauce. I recommend starting with one garlic clove (small or medium), but if you want less garlic flavor, use a small clove. Remember, you can always add more!
•  Fresh dill is a must. Dried dill won’t give you the same flavor or texture. Fresh mint would be a lovely addition but don’t skip the dill.
• Chill before serving. After mixing the cucumber sauce, let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. This gives the flavors time to come together.
• Is tzatziki Greek or Turkish? The word “tzatziki” is a Greek derivative of the Turkish word “cacik.” However, tzatziki is believed to have originated in Greece (although it’s eaten in several Middle Eastern countries).

Storage Tips

Homemade tzatziki sauce will last up to 3 days in the fridge. Note that some separation may occur, so give the sauce a good stir before serving.

How to Assemble a Vegetable Platter

I used the finished Greek tzatziki sauce as a dip for fresh veggies, creating a veggie tray that’s healthy and nutritious, and just as pleasing to the eye as to the eater. Here are a few tips to create a great veggie tray.

• Use pre-cut veg if short on time. If time is an issue or you’re feeding a smaller crowd, my secret is to stock up on the already-cut veggies from the salad bar. You’ll find you’ll get a whole lot more variety. Or, check the pre-packaged section of your produce aisle for pre-cut vegetables.
• Chanel the rainbow. Choose different colors and shapes of veggies and arrange them so the same colors don’t sit next to one another. Instead, place them opposite one another. When working with odd numbers of the same type, position them as you would see on a clock at 10:00, 2:00, and 6:00.
• Variance is key. Serve miniature versions of the vegetables instead of cutting them up, like baby carrots, small radishes, cherry tomatoes, and even baby corn. Keep some of the stems too, for visual interest and to show off their freshness.

Pickled or marinated veggies add a unique bite to any veggie platter. Consider adding any of these:

• Pickled beets
• Green beans
• Marinated mushrooms
• Pickled cucumbers
• Pepperoncini or other pickled peppers
• Olives

Not all veggies need to be served raw. Consider these still-fresh veggie options:

• Par-boil new potatoes and slather them in pesto.
• Add a steamed or grilled artichoke to give weight to the platter.
• Give broccoli a quick steam and a spritz of sesame oil with salt to give an Asian flair.

Ways to Eat Tzatziki Sauce

Sure it makes a delicious dip for veggies, but tzatziki is the creamy favorite of these Mediterranean-inspired dishes too.

• Eat alongside grilled pita bread, pita chips, and/or crudités
• Enjoy with falafel
• Add to sandwiches
• Easy Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
• Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
• Grilled Chicken Shawarma
• Chicken Tzatziki Pizza
• Grilled Turkey Kofta Skewers
• Easy Greek Gyro Skillet
• Cucumber Noodle Tzatziki Salad
• Pork Souvlaki with Lemon Rice

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.

More Greek Recipes You’ll Love

• • Greek Potato Salad
  • The Best Greek Chicken Marinade
  • Horiatiki (Traditional Greek Salad)
  • Greek Salad Dressing
  • Spanakopita
  • Greek Cobb Salad
  • Greek Salad with Chicken

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