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Inspired by my numerous visits to Greece, this tzatziki is the real deal! With just a few simple ingredients, it’s ready in about 5 minutes. And with hundreds of 5-star reviews, you can be certain everyone will be devouring it the second you put it on the table!
save this recipe!Tzatziki is one of those magical sauces that instantly makes everything better. Whether you’re dipping warm pita, drizzling it over falafel, or spooning it onto a Mediterranean grain bowl, this cool, creamy sauce is the perfect contrast to bold, savory flavors.
I started making my own tzatziki because store-bought versions never quite hit the mark. Too thick, too bland, or missing that fresh, herby punch. This homemade version is light, refreshing, and packed with cucumber, dill, and a hint of lemon. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought!
Reader rating
“I made this and O.M.G! It is absolutely delicious! The possibilities are endless with what you can do with this. I made the Roasted Chickpea Gyros and THAT is going to be a staple. Plus, you can use this as a dip, sauce, and spread for veggies, sandwiches, and so much more.” —Ashley
Key Ingredients
This is just an overview–jump to the recipe card for measurements!
- Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt is higher in protein than traditional yogurt and has a more tart flavor perfect for tzatziki. →For an even richer tztaziki, you can use sour cream instead of yogurt! It can be used 1:1 for the yogurt, or you can simply replace some of the yogurt with sour cream.
- Cucumber: You can opt to grate or dice the cucumber (I prefer grated)! We’ll sprinkle this with salt before mixing everything up to help draw moisture from the cucumber!
- An Acid: Either fresh lemon juice or white vinegar balance things out with a pop of sour.
- Garlic: The recipe calls for 2 cloves, but the garlic-lovers can measure this with their hearts. (Just please…don’t use pre-minced).
- Dill: Fresh dill is an absolute must for making tzatziki! Fresh mint is often also added, and can be tossed in as well if you want a more refreshing flavor.
Sarah’s Secrets
I get a lot of questions about how to prepare the cucumber. Should you peel it? Should you remove the seeds? The answer: It’s up to you! I typically leave the skin on and seeds in, partially because I want this to be a quick tzatziki recipe (and those steps take time!), but also because they contain fiber and nutrients.
Your healthy back pocket sauce
This sauce became a favorite of mine while I was studying nutrition, because not only is it packed with flavor, but it’s also healthy!
To really know if tzatziki is healthy, you’ve got to look at its main ingredient – Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is a healthy nutrition powerhouse, containing more protein than its traditional yogurt counterpart. Add to that the fiber-packed cucumber and antioxidant-heavy lemon juice and you have yourself a healthy tzatziki sauce!
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt, 480 g
- 1 cup shredded or diced cucumber, 200 g
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar, 30 mL
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp chopped dill
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Thicken Yogurt (optional): For a thicker consistency, you can strain the yogurt by lining a mesh sieve with cheesecloth or paper towels, then spooning in the yogurt. Strain for 30 minutes to 3 hours.
- Cucumber: Meanwhile, transfer diced or shredded cucumber to a mesh sieve or colander and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let sit for a few minutes while you measure everything else for the tzatziki, then use a rubber spatula to press out excess moisture.
- Mix: Mix together yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, and lemon.
- Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Let chill in the fridge until ready to enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!Try it with…
Tzatziki is great as a veggie or bread dip, but it can also be used in a number of Mediterranean inspired recipes!
- Roasted Chickpea Gyros are my go-to for busy weeknights. The tzatziki balances out the spicy chickpeas!
- Mediterranean Roasted Veggies are a colorful side I love to serve with a bowl of tzatziki.
- My Oven Baked Falafel is the ultimate vessel to enjoy tzatziki with.
- Over Chickpea Fritters with Shredded Veggies (a reader-favorite!)
P.S. for a fun twist on this classic tzatziki, try my homemade tzatziki with feta cheese!
This was seriously amazing! The best tzatziki I’ve ever eaten! Super easy too. I used mint and dill, and it was wonderful!
Yay, so happy to hear Jenny!! 😀 The mint sounds like a tasty addition!
Very good right out of the mixing. We didn’t dry the yogurt or the cucumber because we were hungry and it was late. Put in the chick pea gyros and went to town. It was delicious as it was. Looking forward to having it tomorrow after it sits for a bit!
I do this often too! Sometimes you just can’t wait 😀 Happy you liked it and the gyros!
This looks so yummy gonna try and make it tonight fingers crossed it tastes as good as it looks
I hope you’ll love it as much as we do, Jessica! 😀
Except for the dill, this is Alton Brown’s recipe for Tzatziki with the same directions to remove moisture from both yogurt and cucumbers.
I believe he also uses mint and red wine vinegar, which I’m not a huge fan of in my tzatziki. But generally the principles are the same!
So freaking good! Loved this recipe!
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it, Jane! 😀
Dang it!! I’m all set to make this, but I forgot the dill!!!!! Any way I could possibly use a dash of dill pickle juice instead?? I do have cilantro, but that’s not dilly lol
Ah that’s always the worst missing just 1 ingredient! Fortunately in this case the recipe us fine without the dill 😀
I actually did put about a tablespoon of dill pickle juice along with the lemon juice, cukes and some chopped cilantro. It was delish but next time I will make it per recipe lol
Haha, always good to experiment though! 😀
Delicious
Everyone loved it
So happy to hear, Brenda! 😀
I tried another tzatziki recipe and it was very disappointed by the bitter taste…! Your recipe was delicious and as close to others i have tasted…! Thank you for this recipe….! Now my keeper..!
So happy to hear it, Vikki! 😀
Keep that cucumber juice for a delicious cocktail! I added club soda, a splash of gin and a bit of simple syrup.
Such a great idea! 😀