The BEST Tzatziki Sauce Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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Homemade Tzatziki sauce is flavorful and delicious. This recipe is so easy to make and tastes incredible!

This is the best tzatziki recipe I’ve ever enjoyed. I’ve never found anything at the grocery store that even compares. This tasty dip can be used in so many ways. I love to serve it with falafel or on a gyro, but it is often our favorite dip to make for dipping veggies and crackers.

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Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe is so great:
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  • Ingredients needed:
  • How to make Tzatziki sauce:
  • What to serve it with:
  • Storage recommendations:
  • Tzatziki Recipe

Why this recipe is so great:

This is one of those super simple recipes that not only tastes great, but it’s packed with protein and fresh ingredients.

  • Simple: Only five wholesome ingredients (well, six if you count salt) come together to create this creamy, satisfying, flavor packed sauce.
  • Versatile: Every time I make it, I find different recipes that are only complimented by the addition of tzatziki. Although this is an recipe which people typically think should only go with Greek food, it’s a fantastic dip for vegetables or crackers, or spread on sandwiches.
  • Healthy: Fresh vegetables and herbs with protein packed Greek yogurt is not only delicious but it’s quite satisfying.

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Ingredients needed:

Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

  • Cucumber – I prefer to use a large English cucumber
  • Greek yogurt – I used to buy plain full fat yogurt but have switched to nonfat and it is unbelievably creamy and delicious
  • Lemon juice – one good sized lemon will due
  • Garlic – minced super fine
  • Fresh dill – there’s simply nothing better
  • Salt – needed to balance out the tart from the lemon and yogurt
The BEST Tzatziki Sauce Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

How to make Tzatziki sauce:

Full ingredient list and detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

  1. Prepare the cucumber. Cut the ends off, slice it in half lengthwise, and scoop the seeds out. Grate the entire cucumber (I find the food processor is easy) and then toss it with the salt.
  2. Remove excess moisture. You’ll set this mixture in a strainer for about 15 minutes to allow some of the moisture to escape. Before adding the cucumber to the remaining ingredients, you’ll squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
  3. Mix! The final step is simply to mix all of the ingredients together and you’re done! Of course, give it a taste and add more of anything that it needs.
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The BEST Tzatziki Sauce Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (8)

What to serve it with:

The recipe people generally think of when they see tzatziki is falafel or a gyro. I mean, when you dine at a Greek or Mediterranean restaurant, you’re pretty much guaranteed to enjoy this sauce.

But Tzatziki sauce is incredibly versatile. The consistency is more similar to a dip, in my opinion. I’ve used tzatziki sauce with:

  • All kinds of meat including beef, lamb, pork, chicken and seafood. It is seriously fantastic when served with any of these.
  • Chips, vegetable sticks, and warm pita bread. It makes a great dip that is much healthier than so many other options out there.
  • Baked potato topping. Skip the sour cream and replace it with tzatiki for extra protein.
  • On top of burgers and sandwiches. This is where that garlic punch really stands out.
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Storage recommendations:

Because there is so much cucumber in this recipe, it shortens the shelf life when compared to plain Greek yogurt. Any kind of vegetable will naturally release moisture over time, so I think this dip is best when consumed immediately or within the first few days.

Tzatziki will last longer than that, but you’ll have to give it a good stir before enjoying and the consistency will likely change.

The BEST Tzatziki Sauce Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (10)

Tzatziki

Prep10 minutes mins

Time to drain cucumber15 minutes mins

Total25 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Author Krissy Allori

The BEST Tzatziki Sauce Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (11)

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Tzatziki sauce can either be boring and bland or it can be flavorful and delicious. This recipe is so easy to make and tastes incredible! Just a few simple ingredients as well as tips and tricks to get the best consistency. You will love this delicious dip recipe.

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Ingredients

  • 1 large cucumber
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons kosher salt start with one and add more to taste
  • 2 cups Plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill minced

Instructions

  • Prepare cucumber: Cut the ends off the cucumber. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Grate remaining cucumber and toss with salt in bowl. Set salted grated cucumber in strainer over bowl or in sink and let stand for at least 15 minutes. Squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible and discard liquid. Ideally you want about 1 cup of grated cucumber for the Tzatziki.

  • Mix sauce: Combine drained grated cucumber with remaining ingredients in large bowl. Mix to combine, taste, and add additional salt, lemon juice, or dill, if desired.

Notes

Too sour? Add more salt.

Too salty? Add more lemon juice.

Too bland? Add more garlic and/or dill.

Nutrition

Calories: 47kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 7g, Cholesterol: 3mg, Sodium: 800mg, Potassium: 157mg, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 35IU, Vitamin C: 3.7mg, Calcium: 82mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

This recipe was originally published in October 2017 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don’t worry – the recipe hasn’t changed!

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Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

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The BEST Tzatziki Sauce Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

How to make tzatziki sauce Jamie Oliver? ›

Grate the remaining cucumber.
  1. Place the grated cucumber in a sieve, rest it on a bowl and add some sea salt. ...
  2. In the meantime, peel and finely grate or crush the garlic, then combine with the oil in a large bowl. ...
  3. When most of the liquid has drained from the grated cucumber, spread it out over a tea towel and pat dry.

Why is my tzatziki sauce so bitter? ›

How do you get the bitter taste out of tzatziki sauce? Your main ingredient – the cucumber – is often the culprit. To avoid this, make sure that you choose the right variety: English and Persian cucumbers have very little, or no, bitterness.

How do you make tzatziki not runny? ›

You can thicken it by placing a piece of cheesecloth over the top of a wide mouthed jar and holding it in place with some rubber bands. Fill the cheesecloth with your sauce, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The excess water will drain out and the sauce will be thicker.

Why is my tzatziki sauce sour? ›

Some Greek yogurt brands are very tangy so you may wish to use less lemon juice. Also, some lemons can be very tart. Start with 1/2 a lemon and add more if needed. If your sauce is too tart, you can fix this by adding a little sweetener.

What is the primary flavoring agent of a Greek tzatziki sauce? ›

The main flavor component of Greek Tzatziki sauce is typically tangy yogurt, combined with garlic, cucumber, and often a hint of dill or mint.

What is the difference between Greek and Turkish tzatziki? ›

And maybe the most important difference. is in the consistency. As a Turkish version, it's more diluted and more like a soup than a dip. Lastly, Chechuk uses more herbs like mint, dill, and dried mint. And while you'll find tzatziki with dill, it's often served with no herbs.

How to make tzatziki less bitter? ›

Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is always preferred, but you may substitute with bottled lemon juice. I suggest starting with one tablespoon and add more to taste for a tangier you tzatziki sauce – OR add some lemon zest. Red wine vinegar: This enhances the tanginess of the lemon juice without adding any bitter notes.

How long will tzatziki sauce keep in the fridge? ›

Tzatziki sauce should be kept in a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator when you're not using it. As long as it's stored properly, you can expect homemade tzatziki to last about three to four days. This will depend on how fresh the yogurt was when you made the sauce.

How to tell if tzatziki has gone bad? ›

Signs That Your Tzatziki Has Gone Bad

A separation of liquid or changes in consistency, such as becoming excessively watery or unusually thick. A sharp, bitter flavor that deviates from the refreshing taste of good tzatziki.

What is a substitute for garlic in tzatziki sauce? ›

Preferably swap garlic for finely chopped red onion. Soak the onion in a little water before adding to the mixture. If you have already made the dish, then take out some of the garlicky yogurt (NOT sour cream as suggested in another answer) and replace with more fresh yogurt.

What to eat with tzatziki sauce? ›

At the very least, serve it with some carrots, bell peppers, and other fresh veggies of your choice, but you can use it in many more ways with everything from the obvious gyros to pan-seared salmon, lamb rack, all sorts of kebabs including vegetable skewers, or even to top your baked potato!

Is homemade tzatziki good for you? ›

Nutritional Profile of Tzatziki

So, it offers fewer carbohydrates and calories, making it suitable for weight loss. Tzatziki has little fat from yoghurt, milk, or vegetable oil but does not contain many calories. In addition, it is an excellent source of vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium.

How to remove tartness from Greek yogurt? ›

How To Make Greek Plain Yogurt Taste Good
  1. Sweeten them Naturally: Natural sweeteners like honey, pure fresh maple syrup, agave, or stevia can provide a delicious sweetness to your Greek yogurt. ...
  2. Add Fruits: Fresh or frozen fruits can add vibrant flavors to your Greek yogurt. ...
  3. Mix in Flavorings:
Jul 12, 2023

What to use in place of tzatziki sauce? ›

I replace thick sauces like my tzatziki sauce with homemade mayonnaise and coconut milk. Substituting ingredients will take some getting used to, but eventually, it will become second nature.

What should tzatziki taste like? ›

The acidic component: Traditional tzatziki uses red wine vinegar and adds the perfect amount of tart yet sweetness to it. Dill or Mint: Some recipes use mint. I prefer dill but try both and see which you like better! Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil can make all the difference!

What is in tzatziki sauce made of? ›

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. Traditionally, it is made from strained sheep or goat's milk yogurt, but a full-fat Greek yogurt works just fine in this dip.

Is tzatziki made from yogurt or sour cream? ›

The best Greek Tzatziki Sauce Recipe! This homemade tzatziki sauce is made with Greek yogurt, sour cream and fresh dill. It's thick and creamy (not watery) and so delicious. This Greek Tzatziki Sauce recipe is one of my all-time favorites!

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

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