Easy Tzatziki Recipe (2024)

Updated . Originally Posted By Nikole Berg

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This easy tzatziki recipe is a healthy dip that works as a spread too. It's made with cucumbers and greek yogurt. Tastes great with chicken, lamb, beef, burgers, wraps, or as a vegetarian snack with pita chips. Ready in 15 minutes!

Easy Tzatziki Recipe (1)

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Why you should make it

It's easy to make. Just follow a few steps and you'll have a versatile sauce, spread or dip to serve along side your favorite sandwich or chips.

It's made with easy to find fresh and panty staples. This is one of the easiest recipes on the site and is made with simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, cucumbers, and lemon, olive oil, garlic, and dill.

Mediterranean flavor with very little effort. I love Mediterranean inspired dishes for their simplicity and health benefits. Have you ever tried tzatziki? Once I did, I was hooked on this cool, cucumber sauce. It's cool and creamy with subtle heat from the garlic.

Step by step instructions

Gather your ingredients- full fat Greek yogurt, fresh dill, one lemon, an English cucumber, and some garlic.

Shred the cucumber with a cheese greater. If using a box grater, use the side with large holes. Squeeze excess moisture from cucumber using your hands or press through a fine mesh strainer. Discard liquid. I like to place the cucumber in the strainer with a bowl underneath while I prep the other ingredients. Some liquid will continue to be released.

Easy Tzatziki Recipe (2)

Add Greek yogurt, olive oil, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, garlic, and cucumber to bowl. Stir until combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Drizzle with olive oil, if desired. Easy and simple!

Easy Tzatziki Recipe (3)

Recipe notes and tips

What are the best cucumbers for tzatziki? English cucumbers are the easiest to use in this tzatziki recipe. They don't have to be peeled or seeded. If you choose to use garden cucumbers, peel them and remove seeds before preparing. Keep in mind that English cucumbers are more mild in flavor.

Grate cucumbers with a cheese grater. If using a box grater, use the side with the large holes. You may choose to finely dice the cucumbers instead of shredding it. It's a matter of texture and personal preference.

What is the best yogurt for tzatziki? Full fat, Greek yogurt is the best. Low fat and fat free will also work, because of the creaminess of those varieties. However, non strained yogurt is not recommended. They lack the thickness and creaminess needed for tzatziki.

How long can you store homemade tzatziki? You should keep homemade tzatziki tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

What goes with tzatziki? This recipe is quite versatile and can be served in many ways. Try it as a spread on gyros, burgers and sandwiches. Delicious as a dip with roasted or raw veggies, or on a charcuterie board with cheeses, meats, olives, dried fruit, and pita crackers.

Easy Tzatziki Recipe (4)

Try these other Mediterranean inspired dishes

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Mediterranean Breakfast Egg Cups

Panzanella

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📖 Recipe

Easy Tzatziki Recipe (5)

Easy Tzatziki Recipe

Recipe by Nikole Berg

Easy Tzatziki Recipe is a healthy dip that works as a spread too. Made with cucumbers and greek yogurt. Tastes great with chicken, lamb, beef, burgers, wraps, or as a vegetarian snack with pita chips. Ready in 15 minutes.

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Dips/Spreads

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 16 Servings

Calories 29 kcal

Equipment

Easy Tzatziki Recipe (6)

Box grater

Ingredients

  • 1 cucumber English or garden; about 1 cup
  • 1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt I use 5% fat, substitute with low fat if desired
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus some to drizzle
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or mint
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove finely diced, pressed, or grated
  • ½ teaspoon salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Grate cucumber with a cheese grater (large holes if using a box grater). Squeeze excess moisture from cucumber with your hands or press through a fine mesh strainer. Discard liquid.

  • Combine cucumber, yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, garlic, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir until well mixed.

  • Refrigerate until ready to serve. Adjust herbs, lemon, garlic, and salt as desired.Drizzle with olive oil.

  • Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Drain excess water that may have accumulated on top and stir well before serving.

Notes

  • What are the best cucumbers for tzatziki? English cucumbers are the easiest to use in this tzatziki recipe. They don't have to be peeled or seeded. If you choose to use garden cucumbers, peel them and remove seeds before preparing. Keep in mind that English cucumbers are more mild in flavor.
  • Grate cucumbers with a cheese grater. If using a box grater, use the side with the large holes. You may choose to finely dice the cucumbers instead of shredding it. It's a matter of texture and personal preference.
  • What is the best yogurt for tzatziki? Full fat, Greek yogurt is the best. Low fat and fat free will also work, because of the creaminess of those varieties. However, non strained yogurt is not recommended. They lack the thickness and creaminess needed for tzatziki.
  • How long can you store homemade tzatziki? You should keep homemade tzatziki tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • What goes with tzatziki? This recipe is quite versatile and can be served in many ways. Try it as a spread on gyros, burgers and sandwiches. Delicious as a dip with roasted or raw veggies, or on a charcuterie board with cheeses, meats, olives, dried fruit, and pita crackers.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsCalories: 29kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 80mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 14IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

Keyword dips, Greek recipes, gyros, spreads

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About Nikole Berg

Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

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Easy Tzatziki Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the main ingredients in tzatziki? ›

Tzatziki is a salted yogurt and cucumber dip that's made of strained yogurt, shredded cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and herbs. Authentic Greek tzatziki is most often made with sheep or goat yogurt, but my tzatziki recipe calls for regular full-fat Greek yogurt.

What is a good substitute for tzatziki sauce? ›

Raita is commonly used to tame the fiery heat of Indian food, and Turkish cacik is similar to tzatziki but more herbaceous and sometimes served as a soup.

Is tzatziki made from yogurt or sour cream? ›

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt), cucumbers, garlic, and sometimes fresh herbs such as dill or mint.

Is tzatziki healthier than hummus? ›

Yes, tzatziki is considered a healthier dip than hummus and sour cream. It contains several vitamins, a good amount of protein, and fewer carbohydrates and calories. The fat content of tzatziki is low too, which is not the case with other dips.

How long does homemade tzatziki last? ›

Tzatziki will last about four days in the fridge before it starts to go bad. While you can freeze it, it will change a bit in regards to texture and consistency when it comes time to thawing it out.

What do Greeks eat with tzatziki? ›

A platter of salted raw tomatoes and cucumbers becomes an instant salad when topped with tzatziki as a dressing. Bread is smeared with tzatziki and topped with grilled meats or vegetables for a crostini or bruschetta style snack that pairs well with Greek wines, like these Artichoke and Eggplant skewers.

What is a substitute for mint in tzatziki? ›

Tzatziki is traditionally made with mint or dill. I prefer the flavor of mint (plus, as you can see, I have a wee bit of a wild mint situation in my garden) but feel free to substitute fresh dill if you like.

How do you thicken homemade tzatziki? ›

A tablespoon of corn starch or flour in a cup adding a dribble of water or broth until you get a thick paste. Then add it to the runny sauce. How do you make Tzatziki? Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, salt.

Do Greeks eat tzatziki by itself? ›

Greece. Greek-style tzatziki sauce is commonly served as a meze, to be eaten with bread, fried eggplant, or zucchini.

Is tzatziki good for you? ›

Conclusion. Tzatziki is not only a tasty, multi-use sauce, it's also a smart food pick. Its blend of yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs delivers key nutrients, which are proposed to support heart health, gut health, and may even lower diabetes risk.

Can you buy tzatziki sauce in the grocery store? ›

You can find store-bought tzatziki in the deli section of most grocery stores all year long, so you don't have to worry about it being “in season.” However, if you want to make fresh tzatziki, it will taste best when you use cucumbers in peak season.

How do you thicken yogurt for tzatziki? ›

** If you can't find the thicker Greek Yogurt Cheese, you can use regular, plain yogurt that is either full fat or low fat. To thicken, spoon yogurt into cheese cloth that has been quadrupled. Draw the corners of the cloth up and tie together. Suspend above a bowl for 2 hours so that water can drip out.

Is Trader Joe's tzatziki good? ›

VERDICT: Trader Joe's tzatziki had a lovely, refreshing taste and a mellow garlic flavor that I found simply irresistible.

How healthy is tzatziki dip? ›

Tzatziki is a real powerhouse in terms of health benefits. Probiotics, which can aid promote gut health, vitamins A and C, calcium, and phosphorus are all included in this classic Greek meal. Together, these nutrients strengthen your immune system and maintain the health of your bones.

What are 5 dishes that you could put tzatziki on? ›

Once you've got that covered, check out our favourite ways to use tzatziki, and bring a bit of The Med to your kitchen.
  • Lemon-tzatziki chicken.
  • Gorgeous greek chicken with herby vegetable couscous & tzatziki.
  • Grilled lamb chops with fattoush.
  • Crispy barbecued side of salmon with cucumber yoghurt.
  • Souvlaki (Wicked kebabs)
Sep 8, 2023

What is Greek yogurt made of? ›

Greek yogurt is made from cow's milk that is strained to remove the whey, this results in a thicker consistency compared to natural yogurt. It also has a tangier flavour and can often be used as a healthier substitute to mayonnaise, sour cream or crème fraîche.

What are the facts about tzatziki? ›

Greek-style tzatziki sauce is commonly served as a meze, to be eaten with bread, fried eggplant, or zucchini. Tzatziki is made of strained yogurt (usually from sheep or goat milk) mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, and sometimes lemon juice, and dill or mint or parsley.

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