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.

The BEST Tzatziki Sauce Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe is so great
  • Ingredients needed
  • How to make Tzatziki sauce
  • What to serve with Tzatziki sauce
  • Best Way to Store Tzatziki
  • 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.

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
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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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What to serve with Tzatziki sauce

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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Best Way to Store Tzatziki

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.

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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 July 2014 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.

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

FAQs

Is homemade tzatziki better than store bought? ›

Basically, they are both very healthy options! If you're going for purely less calories, then tzatziki would be the best pick. But otherwise, they are just about equally healthy for you, and, even healthier when you make them for yourself rather than going for the store-bought brand.

What does everyone use tzatziki for I just discovered it's delicious? ›

Ten Favorite Dishes to serve with Tzatziki:
  • Baked Greek Meatballs with Feta.
  • Grilled Middle Eastern Turkey Burgers.
  • Ground Beef Gyro Meatball Lettuce Wraps.
  • Greek Salmon with Tzatziki Sauce.
  • Low-Carb Lamb Shish Kabobs.
  • Chicken Souvlaki.
  • Greek Lamb Souvlaki.
  • Kalyn's Pork Souvlaki Recipe.
Aug 19, 2023

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

How do Greek people eat tzatziki? ›

Greeks usually eat tzatziki with bread, it is also used for the famous souvlaki wrapped in a pita and ofcourse in gyros. Almost all Greeks love dipping bread and Greek fries in tzatziki that is served at every traditional restaurant.

Is tzatziki healthy to eat everyday? ›

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. If you add tzatziki to your meals, you can boost everyday dishes while savouring the many potential health benefits tzatziki brings.

What can I put on gyro instead of tzatziki? ›

A thick Greek yogurt is the most traditional option – bonus points if you strain it through a cheesecloth!

What are the main ingredients in tzatziki? ›

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.

How many days is homemade tzatziki good for? ›

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 long does homemade tzatziki last? ›

How Long will Tzatziki Sauce Last in the Fridge? This sauce will stay fresh and delicious for up to four days when refrigerated in an air-tight container.

What meat goes best with tzatziki? ›

Tzatziki makes a very nice condiment for gyros or kebabs. It goes very well with pork or lamb. It's also very nice served as a dip with pita bread triangles.

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.

Can you eat tzatziki by itself? ›

It is also delicious on its own paired with fresh or blanched vegetables or whole grain crackers! Tzatziki is hard to spell, but easy to enjoy! This traditional Greek dip, spread, or sauce is delicious on sandwiches, wraps, salads, bowls, fish, chicken – you name it!

What is a fun fact about tzatziki? ›

If you want to know more about this sauce, here are some historical and fun facts about it. Tzatziki started back in the Ottoman Empire. During this time, India loved their raita, a yogurt-based dip. They were also led by the Persian class, who loved the Indian rice dish called the biryani.

What country invented tzatziki? ›

More than any other nation in the Ottoman Empire, the Greeks enjoyed this dish immensely. However, they also experimented with this classic cucumber and yogurt dip until its Indian roots were almost invisible. Tzatziki (derived from the Turkish word cacık) was born.

What's the difference between raita and tzatziki? ›

Tzatziki, though traditionally made with strained sheep's or goat's milk yogurt, often has thick Greek yogurt as a base, per The Mediterranean Dish. On the other hand, raita uses regular yogurt or dahi (also known as Indian yogurt or curd) — depending on the recipe – as the vehicle for aromatic vegetables and spices.

Is store-bought tzatziki healthy? ›

Some Store-Bought Hummus and Tzatziki

In general, hummus and tzatziki can be two of the healthiest toppers out there — as long as they're made with healthy ingredients rather than cheap vegetable oils.

How long does homemade tzatziki keep? ›

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.

Is store-bought Greek yogurt healthy? ›

While any type of yogurt can fit in a healthy diet, Greek yogurt and skyr (Icelandic yogurt) are the healthiest choices because they tend to be lower in sugar and higher in protein, says registered dietitian Jamie Nadeau.

Do Greeks eat tzatziki by itself? ›

It is served as a cold appetizer (meze), a side dish, and as a sauce for souvlaki and gyros sandwiches and other foods.

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