Easy Tzatziki Sauce is an absolute must if you have any Greek dish. There's something about the freshness of the cucumber and zestiness of the lemon, combined with Greek yogurt, that, simply put, makes my mouth water.
I especially like it served on a Perfectly Homemade Gyro or Grilled Mediterranean Salmon Kabobs. Pair either of those proteins with some Turmeric Rice or couscous, and you've got a meal!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Tzatziki Sauce is easy enough to whip together quickly, tastes phenomenal, and it's good for you! I say it's an absolute must for any Greek or Mediterranean dish.
Think dipping sauce for Mediterranean chicken, pita bread, lamb, or falafel!
Ingredients
This Tzatziki Sauce Recipe is extremely simple. It's incredible how a few ingredients create such an extraordinary powerhouse of a condiment or dip.
Yogurt: Without question, plain Greek yogurt is precisely what you'll need for this recipe: no flavors, nothing fancy, just plain Greek yogurt.
Vegetables: For a great Tzatziki recipe, you'll need fresh minced garlic and some finely-grated English Cucumber. Be sure not to get the wrong cucumber. The English Cucumber will be longer and thinner than a regular cucumber.
Citrus: Some freshly squeezed Lemon juice is all I use in this Tzatziki recipe. I will say, though, I like mine to be pretty citrusy, so if you want to tame that down, I recommend half a lemon instead of a whole.
Seasonings and Spices: A little Kosher Salt and White Pepper are all it takes.
Herbs: Dill, Dill, Dill, and More Dill. Just kidding, don't go TOO crazy, but some freshly chopped dill works perfectly with the cucumber, and a little bit goes a long way!
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Begin by preparing the cucumber. The trick is peeling, grating the cucumber, and squeezing as much water as possible.
Step 2: To achieve this, I lay a teatowel or cheesecloth over a plate and grate the cucumber on the plate. Once I'm done grating, I can fold the towel, take it over to the sink, and tightly squeeze out the cucumber juice. The last thing you want is watery Tzatziki, and this alleviates that problem.
Step 3: Next, add the grated cucumber, plain Greek yogurt, and remaining ingredients to a mixing bowl.
Step 4: Whisk everything together until thoroughly combined, and then cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
Expert Tips
- Using English Cucumber vs. American Cucumbers is the way to go. They have fewer seeds, hold less water, and are sweeter than their American counterparts.
- Squeezing as much water out of the grated cucumber as possible is important. This will ensure that you don't have a runny tzatziki sauce.
- Allowing the sauce to chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours gives the flavors of the tzatziki to meld. Plus, It's much better when it's served cold.
Recipe FAQs
Tzatziki sauce is made of Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lime juice, and dill, then seasoned with salt and pepper.
Tzatziki has a bit of a sour flavor but is very fresh from the cucumber and dill. Combine that with garlic, salt, pepper, and a little acidity from freshly squeezed lime juice, and you have a well-rounded tzatziki sauce.
Yes, tzatziki is a healthy sauce that uses all fresh ingredients to get its clean flavors. It's perfect as a sauce on Gyros or served with kabobs. It also makes a great dip for fresh vegetables like carrots and broccoli.
Tzatziki is perfect served on gyros, with grilled kabobs, or even poured over turmeric rice and grilled vegetables. Plus, tzatziki sauce makes a perfect dip for fresh vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and snap peas.
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📖 Recipe
Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 English Cucumber - peeled, grated, and squeezed of liquid.
- 2 Cups Plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp. Fresh Dill - finely chopped
- ½ tsp. Kosher Salt
- ½ tsp. White Pepper
- Juice of 1 Lime - freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Peel, then grate the cucumber and squeeze as much water out of it as possible using a teatowel or cheesecloth.
- Add the grated cucumber, plain greek yogurt, and remaining ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Whisk all of the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
- Using English Cucumber vs. American Cucumbers is the way to go. They have fewer seeds, hold less water, and are sweeter compared to their American counterparts.
- It's important to squeeze as much water out of the grated cucumber as possible. This will ensure that you don't have a runny tzatziki sauce.
- Allowing the sauce to chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours gives the flavors of the tzatziki to meld. Plus, It's much better when it's served cold.
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