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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!What is Tzatziki Sauce?
Tzatziki is a Greek yogurt-based sauce made with cucumber, garlic, and fresh herbs. It’s a staple of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, where it pulls triple duty as a dip, a condiment, and a sauce.
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.
It looks simple, and it is, but the details that separate a watery, bland tzatziki from a thick, flavorful one are easy to miss. The two that matter most are squeezing the moisture out of the cucumber before mixing and using full-fat Greek yogurt as the base. Skip either step and the finished sauce is thin and flat rather than creamy and scoopable.
Why You’ll Love This Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
After testing this recipe more times than I can count across different yogurt brands, cucumber varieties, and acid levels, here’s what makes this version worth keeping on repeat:
- Ready in five minutes with no cooking required
- Tastes even better the next day as the flavors settle
- Only 40 calories per serving
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
Tzatziki 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.
How to Use Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Tzatziki pulls triple duty as a dip, a sauce, and a spread. It’s the natural finish for anything Greek or Mediterranean. Spoon it over Mediterranean roasted vegetables, use it as the sauce for roasted chickpea gyros, or tuck it into veggie wraps in place of hummus for a tangier result.
How to Store Tzatziki
Store tzatziki in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Give it a stir before serving since the cucumber releases a small amount of liquid as it sits.
The flavor actually improves after the first day as the garlic mellows and the dill blooms into the yogurt, so making it ahead is worth it!
Tzatziki does not freeze well. The yogurt separates on thawing and the texture doesn’t recover, so stick to making it fresh or keeping it refrigerated.
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!
Homemade 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!
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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!
Hi, is it possible to use dried herbs in a cold dish like this, if fresh isn’t available? If so, how please.
Love your recipes. Big thanks, Sharon
You can, but I find that the flavors are a little more musty when using dried. Just substitute fresh dill with 1/3 dry (so 1 teaspoon of dry dill).
I’ve made Tzatziki Sauce a few times and I find it too watery. I even strained the moisture out of the cucumber. What am I doing wrong? I ended up buying it already made….
It helps to actually squeeze the water out of the cucumber (wrap it in a clean towel and squeeze the water out). You can also strain your yogurt by placing it in a clean towel and letting it strain over a bowl for a few hours.
This is perfect Tzatziki!! I did squeeze the grated cucumbers to remove extra liquid and I added a little extra dill and lemon juice just for personal tastes.
I’ve tried other recipes that were out no where close to the Tzatziki I love so much! Thank you for sharing this! It’s absolutely delicious!
it good
yum yum dip
I did/do make this whenever I’m making kabobs (sry I do eat chicken on occasion) I prefer finely chopped cucumber because it’s easier to get the water out and then I go overboard with the garlic and lemon juice. Before serving I drizzle with a little evoo. Then I add it as a side to briam. It’s a wonderful Greek veggie dish that has sliced potatoes, zucchini, green pepper ,red onion, tomatoes and lots of garlic oregano and EVOO – add some eggplant too if u like. Then make a really crusty Greek bread stuffed with feta. Yum! All those flavours burst in your mouth.
I hate Greek yogurt. Can you use regular yogurt?
Yes! I would just be sure to strain it before using to give this tzatziki the best possible texture 😀
😮😮 Regular yogurt does not give the same flavour . I know it’s your personal choice ,but it should be full fat yogurt and NOT trendy low fat yogurts .
We use sour cream. It’s good too. Greek yogurt was a bit strong for us.
If you don’t like Greek yogurt, you should try Icelandic yogurt (skyr). It’s strained even more than Greek yogurt and thus isn’t as tangy or intense flavor-wise. It’s packed with protein and is great for sauces, dips, etc. There are lots of brands in the grocery store now like Icelandic Provisions or my personal favorite, Siggi’s.
Saucin it up super yummy style.
Made this for a dinner party, it was amazing. Followed your instructions for draining yogurt and the cucumber with the result being such a treat – way less loose and wet.
First time making it,delicious with my falafel on pita bread,lettuce,tomatoes and thinly slice red onions.
These are truly tasty. They don’t sit too heavy in the stomach, and are packed with nutritious goodness! I served them with hot sauce, which might be controversial but they were great. Will definitely make these again!