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Enjoy a timeless Greek favorite with this refreshing and creamy tzatziki recipe! The combination of creamy yogurt, crisp cucumbers, garlic, and fresh dill makes a classic Greek sauce that is a perfect companion to grilled meats, pita bread, or fresh vegetables. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, you can create this versatile Mediterranean dip. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or looking for a healthy snack, this Tzatziki sauce will be a staple in your kitchen.
Forget the store-bought tzatziki sauce – this homemade version with just 5 ingredients is a hundred times fresher and more delicious.
You might also like to try making classic Italian salsa verde, this garlicky marinara sauce, or this rich and creamy blue cheese dressing.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: Once you’ve grated the cucumber and drained away any excess liquid, you just have to combine it with the other ingredients to make this delicious yogurt dip or sauce.
A versatile sauce: You can enjoy this authentic tzatziki recipe with chicken, pork, lamb, grilled veggies, as a dip, or in sandwiches.
Fresh flavors: Making your own tzatziki recipe is always worth it, because the store-bought kind doesn’t have the fresh flavors your food deserves.
Greek Tzatziki Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt is the basis of tzatziki. You can use Greek yogurt or strained yogurt (which will yield a thinner result).
Cucumber: Adds a fresh flavor to the sauce. It’s important to drain off the excess water.
Garlic: Fresh garlic of course!
Dill: You can swap this for fresh mint if you prefer.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a zesty tang.
How to Make Tzatziki Sauce
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the cucumber: Grate the cucumber using a box grater or food processor and squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
Combine the ingredients: Combine plain Greek yogurt with the grated cucumber, garlic, dill weed, and lemon juice.
Season and chill: Season to taste using salt and pepper, and then cover and chill for an hour before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Thicker tzatziki: Strain the Greek yogurt through a sieve before making the tzatziki recipe or use a thicker yogurt.
Different dairy: Swap some of the Greek yogurt for sour cream or goat yogurt.
Another herb: You can swap the fresh dill weed for dried dill or even for fresh mint.
More garlicky: Add more garlic for a stronger garlic flavor.
Add olive oil: A little extra virgin olive oil thins this easy tzatziki sauce recipe down a little and adds a nice touch of flavor. This is optional.
Serving Suggestions
As a condiment: You’ll find this tzatziki sauce recipe goes really well with baked salmon, Italian steak or Mediterranean chicken orzo bowls.
In chicken gyros: This Greek tzatziki recipe is really good in homemade chicken gyros.
As a dip or spread: Enjoy it with chips, crackers or pretzels, or use it in sandwiches in place of mayonnaise.
How to Store Greek Tzatziki Dip
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 2 or 3 days.
Freeze: Don’t freeze this – it would just separate and get watery.
Top Tips
Drain the cucumber well: Well squeezed cucumber means you won’t get a watery tzatziki sauce. Squeeze it firmly in paper towels to get rid of the excess cucumber juice.
Add your own stamp: Feel free to add parsley, mint or a little ground cumin to make the recipe your own.
Chill the tzatziki cucumber sauce: It’s important to refrigerate the tzatziki sauce for an hour before serving, as this lets the flavors meld together.
Stir to re-combine: If the sauce separates, just give it a stir before serving.
Homemade Tzatziki FAQs
Sure, keep it covered and refrigerated and use within a couple of days. I usually make it a few hours before serving so the flavors can meld nicely.
Swap the Greek yogurt for your favorite kind of dairy-free yogurt to make the tzatziki vegan.
If it smells sour or has an ammonia smell, throw it out. Tzatziki sauce should be fine in the refrigerator for a couple of days but, if in any doubt, better safe than sorry!
Best Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Tzatziki Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Greek yogurt, plain
- 5 Ounces cucumber, grated and excess liquid squeezed out
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber using a box grater or food processor.
- Squeeze out excess liquid from the grated cucumber using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, and lemon juice.
- Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Season the tzatziki with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the tzatziki for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Before serving, drizzle with the olive oil.
Notes
Add your own stamp: Feel free to add parsley, mint or a little ground cumin to make the recipe your own.
Chill the tzatziki cucumber sauce: It’s important to refrigerate the tzatziki sauce for an hour before serving, as this lets the flavors meld together.
Stir to re-combine: If the sauce separates, just give it a stir before serving.
Nutrition
Homemade tzatziki sauce is a wonderful condiment with plenty of flavor. Full fat Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, grated cucumber, dill, and garlic feature in this wonderful recipe. Serve it with chicken gyros, beef, pork, chicken, salmon, as a dip with pita chips, as a sandwich spread, as salad dressing with veggies and feta cheese, or as a creamy, tangy sauce for grilled vegetables. Tzatziki sauce is a versatile recipe and homemade is always best.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This tzatziki was so refreshing and creamy. It’s a must-make again!