Tzatziki – easy, authentic Greek yogurt fresh herb sauce with cucumber, garlic and lemon juice. Light, healthy dip or sauce with your favorite Mediterranean dishes.
This light, flavor packed recipe is as versatile as it is delicious. Serve with fresh cut vegetables or pita bread for dipping — or elevate any of your favorite Greek dishes, meats and seafood.
Why this recipe works:
- It’s quick and easy to make.
- It’s delicious with spot on flavor like your favorite Greek restaurants.
- A great and welcome addition to a charcuterie board.
- It’s an appetizer or great addition with any Greek or Mediterranean main dishes.
Ingredients in Tzatziki Greek Yogurt Sauce:
- fresh cucumbers (English, hothouse cucumber or any small cucumbers)
- Greek yogurt
- fresh or dill
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh lemon juice and zest
- white vinegar (can use white wine vinegar)
- cloves of garlic
- salt and black pepper
What is Tzatziki?
Tzatziki is a chilled healthy Greek sauce or dip made from plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber and just a few other fresh ingredients from the grocery store.
I grate cucumber on the largest holes of my box grater for a more rustic texture but you can shred it more finely or even dice with a sharp knife.
Tips for the best Tzatziki:
- Fage Greek yogurt is the best yogurt I’ve found. It’s thick and delicious.
- Remove excess moisture from the cucumbers so the sauce isn’t runny or watery.
- Use English or mini cucumbers for little or no seeds.
- Leave the skin on the cucumber for extra nutrition.
- Refrigerate the sauce for 15-20 minutes after blending to chill it and let the flavors come together then stir before eating.
How to make Tzatziki Greek Yogurt Sauce:
Grate cucumber on a box grater then add it to a colander/fine mesh strainer.
Gently press on the grated cucumber with your fingers to release the excess moisture then transfer it to a mixing bowl and throw away the liquid (or place cucumber in a clean dish towel, wrap and squeeze liquid out)
Add yogurt, finely chopped dill, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest and vinegar to the cucumber. Grate the garlic clove and give it all a good stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
If it’s your first time making this recipe, start with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper then adjust to your preference. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes. Stir before serving.
What goes with tzatziki?
Add Tzatziki to any of the dishes below for a tasty appetizer pairing or sauce other dishes.
No Tahini Hummus – easy 10 minute recipe. Creamy, loaded with garlic and lemon flavor and just 6 ingredients. Add hummus and tzatziki to a mezze platter for a simple appetizer or light lunch.
Lemon Garlic Chicken Kabobs – marinated in lemon, garlic, olive oil and herbs, skewered with fresh vegetables then grilled.
Greek Nachos – warm naan, chicken, vegetables, feta, hummus, tzatziki, roasted chickpeas and Kalamata olives.
Greek Stuffed Peppers – ground meat (lamb, beef, turkey or chicken all work well), orzo, feta cheese, spinach and chickpeas baked in bell peppers with a Greek-inspired tomato-herb sauce.
Roast Leg of Lamb – this is an easy recipe even for beginners for perfectly cooked lamb every time. Garlic-herb crusted – tender, juicy and loaded with flavor.
Leftover Lamb (or even lamb burgers) – the perfect use for leftovers from your roast lamb. Thinly slice then add to pita or naan with tzatziki and your favorite toppings.
7 Layer Greek Layered Dip – fresh Greek twist on the classic 7 layer dip with hummus, tzatziki, tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny kalamata olives, feta and dill.
Whipped Garlic Feta Dip – This dip along with tzatziki and hummus make a delicious Greek dip appetizer board.
How long will Tzatziki last in the fridge?
Tzatziki stays fresh and delicious in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
Enjoy!
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Tzatziki Greek Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 large cucumber grated (English, hothouse cucumber or multiple small cucumbers)
- 1 1/2 cups plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill finely chopped (OR same amount of dry dill)
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or to taste (+ zest from 1/2 lemon)
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 clove garlic grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grate cucumber on a box grater then add it to a colander/fine mesh strainer.
- Gently press on the grated cucumber with your fingers to release the excess moisture then transfer it to a mixing bowl and throw away the liquid (you can also remove moisture by placing the cucumber in a clean dish towel and giving it a good squeeze).
- Add the yogurt, finely chopped dill, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest and vinegar to the cucumber. Grate the garlic clove and give it all a good stir.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste (start with 1/4 teaspon of salt and a pinch of pepper then adjust to your preference).
- Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes. Stir before serving.
This does look cool and refreshing…perfect for scorching summer days! I like the idea of grating the cucumber instead of dicing. So many uses for this sauce….dip, sauce on roasted veggies, slathered on steak sandwich, etc. Daughter’s birthday meal sounds so good, and a 2 year old is very entertaining! Pinned. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.
Hi Mary – I love your idea of using the Tzatziki on a steak sandwich – mmmmm – thanks for a great idea! Hope your week is going well.
I really love this recipe it’s such a great tasting Tratziki sauce. I had a few challenges ! I thought I had a great box grater that even had an attached container to catch the cucumbers. I decided to leave the skin on. While grating the attached container came off and the cucumber flew across the kitchen just when my husband came in, needless to say he made a fast exit ! I started over, success, we both couldn’t stop eating this sauce ! There may be hope for me yet in the kitchen. I’m definitely making this again, maybe with the skin off. Thank you for this recipe. Can you suggest a good box grater ?
Betty that’s hilarious! Right out of a sitcom!! 🙂 I’m so happy you love the sauce – especially after all that! I use a basic box grater like this one from amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CTG-00-BG-Boxed-Grater/dp/B004YZENBY/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1G21BRXC3E35&keywords=box+grater+for+kitchen+oxo&qid=1583591645&sprefix=box+grater%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-7 — it’s inexpensive but does the trick. I also consider it an upper body workout too 😉 Thanks for taking the time to comment.