Tzatziki Sauce
Tzatziki Sauce is a creamy and refreshing Greek sauce that is easy to make with yogurt, cucumber, garlic and lemon juice. Perfect for serving with pita bread, gyros, veggies, kabobs and more, you will love this tzatziki recipe.
Tzatziki is a thick and creamy cucumber yogurt sauce that’s a staple in Greek cooking. In Greece, tzatziki is often made with strained sheep or goat’s milk yogurt, but I use a thick whole milk Greek yogurt because it’s much easier to find in grocery stores. Tzatziki sauce is ultra refreshing and flavorful, made with cucumber, garlic, lemon and fresh dill. This versatile sauce can be used as a dip or spread, served with kebabs, pita bread, pita chips, gyros, grilled veggies and more.
I love Greek food and making homemade tzatziki has been a game-changer. This healthy cucumber sauce is so easy to make, and you’ll want to put it on just about everything!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy recipe: Just a handful of simple ingredients and 15 minutes of time are all you need to make the best authentic tzatziki.
- Healthy ingredients: This Greek yogurt sauce is so much healthier than many other sauces and spreads.
- Versatile recipe: I’ve said it already, but I’ll say it again: there are so many ways to serve tzatziki sauce! You’ll find more suggestions below.
Tzatziki Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy tzatziki recipe.
- Greek Yogurt: For best results, use a thick whole milk Greek yogurt. Be sure to use plain, not flavored, yogurt.
- Cucumber: The shredded cucumber incorporates into the yogurt and makes this cucumber tzatziki sauce delightfully refreshing. Use an English cucumber for best results. English cucumbers have thin skin and do not require peeling or seeding.
- Fresh Dill: You’ll be amazed at how a little fresh dill makes all the difference in the flavor of the sauce. Fresh mint is sometimes also included, so feel free to add a bit (a little goes a long way), if desired.
- Olive Oil: Adds a bit of richness and a silky texture.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up the flavors.
- Garlic: Brings a subtle garlicky flavor, which is mellowed by the cool yogurt and cucumber.
- Salt: To make all of the flavors pop.
How to Make Tzatziki Sauce
Making tzatziki sauce is as simple as 3 easy steps: shred and squeeze the cucumber, mix the ingredients together, and taste! Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
- Shred the cucumber. I find it’s easiest to shred the cucumber using the large holes on a box grater, but you can also use a food processor fitted with the shredding disc.
- Squeeze out the moisture from the shredded cucumber, by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Then squeeze until you’ve gotten all of the extra liquid out.
- Combine the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl: cucumber, yogurt, chopped dill, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic and salt. Stir until everything is well combined. Then taste and add more salt, if needed.
Recipe Tips
- Squeeze the moisture out of the shredded cucumber so that it doesn’t water down the tzatziki sauce. To do this, wrap the shredded cucumber in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and squeeze over a bowl. (You can add the cucumber juice to smoothies!)
- Use a thick Greek yogurt (I use Fage) to make tzatziki with the best thick, creamy texture. If your yogurt is not as thick as you’d like, you can strain it through cheesecloth to thicken it up.
- Don’t skip the fresh dill. It’s one of the key ingredients that makes this sauce so good!
- Salt the sauce to taste once you’ve mixed everything together.
What to Serve with Tzatziki Sauce
I always want to go back for more when tzatziki is on the menu! Luckily, there are many delicious ways to enjoy this cool and creamy sauce.
- Use it as a dip for pita chips, Pita Bread or raw vegetables.
- Serve it with grilled meats or veggies. Try it with these colorful Grilled Vegetables, Chicken Kabobs or Greek chicken.
- Spoon it on gyros, serve with falafel, or add it to a wrap or sandwich.
- Serve it with a Mediterranean salad such as Tabbouleh or Orzo Salad.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover tzatziki sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Stir it before serving to recombine the ingredients (some liquid may separate over time).
More Favorite Sauce Recipes
Try one of these delicious sauce recipes next!
Tzatziki Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (loosely packed) shredded English cucumber*, about ¾ medium English cucumber
- 1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt or Kosher salt, plus more as needed to taste
Instructions
- Wrap the shredded cucumber up in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out all excess moisture over a bowl or the sink. Place the cucumber in a medium bowl.
- Add the plain Greek yogurt, chopped dill, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic and salt.
- Stir until well combined. Taste and add more salt, if needed, to your tastes.
- Tzatziki can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
- You do not need to peel or seed the cucumber. Grate it using the large holes of a box grater or in a food processor using the shredding disc attachment.
- Tzatziki can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
