• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Portfolio

Love And Other Spices

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Air Fryer
  • All Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Air Fryer
    • All Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers and Snacks

    Feb 12, 2023 by Farwin.

    Tzatziki Recipe

    tzatziki sauce recipe pinterest image.

    This homemade Greek Tzatziki recipe is creamy, tangy, and incredibly delicious! Made with simple ingredients, including Greek yogurt, cucumber, and dill it's so quick and easy to make, it'll become your favorite!

    Jump to Recipe
    tzatziki dip with pita chips and vegetables.

    what is tzatziki sauce?

    Find it hard to say the name? This creamy yogurt cucumber sauce is pronounced as tuh-zee-kee or tsaht-ZEE-kee.

    Tzatziki is a traditional Greek sauce that's often served with Mediterranean dishes like pita bread and veggies. It's also called gyro sauce because it's served with the popular Greek grilled meat; gyros. Tzatziki can be used as a dip, spread or a sauce.

    It's made with thick yogurt, cooling cucumber, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, fresh garlic and chopped herbs. Creamy, light and refreshing with a herby flavor it's better than store bought stuff.

    If you like Tzatziki sauce, you'll like this Greek Yogurt Dill Dip too.

    Why We Love This Recipe:

    • Easy: This Tzatziki recipe is so easy to make and ready in 10 minutes.
    • Healthy: Tzatziki is made with natural ingredients, including Greek yogurt which is a good source of protein and probiotics. The cucumber and fresh herbs add a boost of vitamins and minerals.
    • Flavor: The combination of creamy Greek yogurt, fresh cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, and dill creates a tangy and flavorful sauce that is perfect for dipping or spreading.
    • Versatile: Tzatziki can be used as a dip for vegetables, pita chips, or meats, or as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. And can customize to your liking than what you get at Greek restaurants.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for tzatziki sauce recipe.

    Greek yogurt - the base of this recipe. Use plain full-fat Greek yogurt for best flavor. If you have regular plain yogurt, that has to be strained to remove excess moisture.

    Cucumber - English cucumbers are the best. Don't use field cucumbers.

    Dill - Fresh dill chopped adds the herby refreshing flavor to the Tzatziki dip. Fresh mint would be a great addition if you have it.

    Olive oil - Use extra virgin olive oil for an authentic taste.

    Garlic - Fresh garlic cloves minced. If you're not a fan of fresh garlic, garlic powder can be used too.

    Lemon - Fresh lemon juice is a must to add flavor. Some authentic versions use white vinegar instead of lemon.

    Sour cream (optional) - Adding a tablespoon or two of sour cream makes the sauce thick and it also holds up well in the fridge.

    Seasonings - salt and black pepper

    How to Make Tzatziki Sauce

    *Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.

    Making traditional Tzatziki sauce is pretty straightforward and easy. But there are certain steps to involved to make it a success. Prepping the cucumbers by way of removing excess moisture is the most important part of making a good Tzatziki sauce.

    removing the seeds from the peeled cucumbers.
    grating the cucumber.

    We need to remove as much liquid from the cucumbers. Peel the cucumbers and cut it in half. Seeds contain the most liquid in cucumbers so scoop the seeds out with a spoon.

    Grate cucumber using a box grater. You can use a food processor to mince the cucumbers but I prefer the texture of the grated cucumbers.

    squeezing the excess water from the cucumber.
    adding all the ingredients to the yogurt.

    Next, using a fine mesh sieve, remove the excess liquid from the cucumber. Use a spoon to press down on the cucumber to make it easier. Alternatively, you can use a cheesecloth to squeeze the excess liquid. For me, it's a hassle to wash the cloth completely free of grated cucumber so I prefer to use a strainer.

    In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, grated cucumber, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

    tzatziki sauce with dill and cucumber.

    Cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. Drizzle olive oil on top and garnish with chopped dill when serving.

    RECIPE TIP: For best results, refrigerate the Tzatziki for at least 30 minutes so the flavors could develop.

    How to Make Tzatziki Sauce With sour cream

    If you're watching your carbs on a low carb or keto diet, you can still make Tzatziki sauce, albeit with some modifications.

    The best substitute for Greek yogurt is sour cream. Tzatziki sauce with sour cream though not authentic is pretty close to it. If you find the sauce thick, thin it down with some water or heavy cream.

    tzatziki sauce with pita chips.

    What To Serve Tzatziki Sauce With?

    Tzatziki Dip or sauce is so versatile it goes well with a variety of dishes, including:

    • Grilled meats: Tzatziki is a great condiment to serve with grilled chicken, lamb, or pork.
    • Pita bread, chips and crackers: Spread some tzatziki sauce on pita bread for a delicious and healthy snack or lunch or serve as a dip with pita chips and crackers.
    • Vegetables: Serve tzatziki as a dip for vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
    • Gyros: Tzatziki is a classic accompaniment to the Greek dish of gyros, a type of meat wrap.
    • Falafel: Serve tzatziki sauce with falafel, a popular Middle Eastern street food made from chickpeas, for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
    • Rice or quinoa bowls: Mix tzatziki sauce with cooked rice or quinoa and top with grilled chicken or vegetables for a flavorful and healthy bowl.
    • Salad: Use tzatziki sauce as a salad dressing for a Greek salad made with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.
    tzatziki with dill and cucumber.

    How To Store

    Store leftover Tzatziki in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. If you see excess water on top simply stir it back in.

    Tzatziki can be made in advance to serve at a party too. You can make it a day ahead and store in the fridge.

    FAQs

    Can Tzatziki sauce be frozen?

    I don't recommend freezing tzatziki as it will tend to split when thawing.

    Why is my Tzatziki bitter?

    Tzatziki sauce could be bitter due to the cucumbers used. When cucumbers are mature or sitting in the fridge for a long time, they tend to become bitter. They'll also turn slightly yellow. Taste the grated cucumber to make sure that your cucumber is fresh. If it's bitter discard.

    More Recipes You'll Love:

    • Greek Yogurt Dill Dip
    • Canned Salmon Dip
    • Easy Tuna Dip

    Love air frying? You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or join our Free Facebook Air Frying Group.

    Recipe

    Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

    tzatziki with dill and cucumber.
    Homemade Tzatziki sauce is healthy, creamy and refreshing. It's easy to make with a few ingredients. Serve it as a sauce or a dip.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 6
    Calories 48 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup Greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1 medium English cucumber
    • 1½ tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Peel cucumber and cut it in half. Scoop the seeds out with a spoon.
    • Grate the cucumbers with a box grater. Using a strainer, remove excess liquid from the cucumber pressing down with a spoon. Alternatively, use a muslin cloth or dish cloth to squeeze the excess water out.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning if needed.
    • Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve garnished with chopped dill and a drizzle of olive oil.

    Notes

    • Add a tablespoon of sour cream to make Tzatziki creamy.
    • Store leftover Tzatziki sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 48 kcalTotal Carbs: 3 gProtein: 4 gFat: 3 gSaturated Fat: 0.4 gSodium: 110 mgFiber: 0.4 gSugar: 2 gVitamin A: 38 IUVitamin C: 3 mgCalcium: 45 mgIron: 0.2 mgNet Carbs: 2 g
    Tried this recipe?If you like this recipe, I’d love if you can give me a rating and comment! Share this with your family and friends!
    « Lemon Dill Rice
    Air Fryer Tilapia (No Breading) »

    SHARE THIS POST:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    HELLO!

    profile photo of farwin simaak.

    I'm happy you're here. I'm Farwin, the foodie behind this blog.  As a mom of three, I know how hard it can be to get a delicious wholesome dinner, at the end of a long day. Here at Love & other Spices, I share simple but flavorful recipes to make it easier for you to feed your family.

    More about me→

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • air fryer bbq chicken thighs with barbecue sauce.
      Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • air fried cauliflower with dipping sauce
      Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower - No Breading
    • easy air fried zucchini on a plate with a fork.
      Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini (No Breading)
    • air fryer teriyaki salmon with a spoon on a plate.
      Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

    HEALTHY RECIPES

    • air fryer egg bites recipe on a plate.
      Air Fryer Egg Bites
    • creamy tomato soup with canned tomatoes.
      Creamy Tomato Soup With Canned Tomatoes
    • sliced chicken breast cooked in the air fryer on a plate
      Air Fryer Chicken Breast {No Breading}
    • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
      Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Footer

    ↑ BACK TO TOP

    PRIVACY POLICY

    • PRIVACY POLICY

    LET'S CONNECT

    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • PINTEREST

    CONTACT

    • ABOUT/CONTACT

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 LOVE AND OTHER SPICES