Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (Authentic & Easy)

Name: Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (Authentic & Easy)
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 24 oz Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt, 3 cups drained); 10 oz English cucumber (or other small-seed/seedless varieties, 1 large); 0.88 oz dill (1 cup chopped); 0.7 oz garlic (2 large or 4 small cloves); 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 Tbsp white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (not authentic)); 1 tsp salt; dried mint

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A no-fuss way to spice up any meal, my homemade tzatziki sauce is an authentic taste of Greece, perfect for dipping and drizzling in as many dishes as you can think of.

Homemade tzatziki in a bowl with pita chips

I’d like to think that there’s nothing in this world that doesn’t go with tzatziki. My tzatziki recipe – based on the traditional Greek yogurt sauce – doesn’t stray too far from the original. But it remains low-carb, gluten-free, and oh so delicious.

You can use it as a gyro sauce recipe or as a dip for vegetable sticks or, my personal favorite, zucchini fries. The possibilities for this tzatziki sauce recipe are endless.

What Is Tzatziki Sauce?

Tzatziki dip is a creamy Greek sauce popularised both in the Mediterranean regions of Europe and the Middle East. With a cool, yogurt cucumber sauce base, the traditional tzatziki sauce recipe is generally seasoned with dill, salt and pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. Though there are plenty of variations on the classic. In Greece especially, it’s most commonly used as a greek sauce for gyro, as an accompaniment to souvlaki, or as part of a mezze.

A bowl of homemade tzatziki topped with a bit of oil

What Is the Difference Between Tzatziki and Yogurt Sauce

Traditionally, the core difference is the extra ingredients of tzatziki. Both sauces have the same yogurt and cucumber base. But a Greek yogurt sauce has fewer additional ingredients. It is unlikely to include lemon juice, dill, garlic, olive oil, etc.

On the other hand, this homemade tzatziki sauce is bursting with extra flavors that you’ll only find in Greek tzatziki recipes.

Is Tzatziki Sauce Healthy

The Mediterranean diet is noted for how healthy it is. And tzatziki – being a Mediterranean yogurt sauce – is surprisingly good for you.

Its base of Greek yogurt is naturally high in protein. And the additional fresh ingredients are generally high in essential vitamins and minerals. Tzatziki dip is naturally low-calorie, low in cholesterol, and high in Vitamin A and calcium.

Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients

Cucumber: It’s best to use seedless or small-seed cucumber varieties like English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers. These won’t get mushy too quickly. If all you have is a seedy cucumber, then de-seed it first.
Plain Greek yogurt: Full-fat Greek yogurt is the best option for this recipe (though sheep’s milk yogurt is the most authentic). However, you could also use regular plain yogurt and strain it for a couple of hours. See the FAQs below for how to make strained yogurt.
Dill: Lots of fresh dill is the key to packing in tons of flavor. Only use dried dill if you have to.
Garlic: Crushed or minced. An authentic tzatziki sauce won’t go easy on the garlic – it should be strong. Feel free to adjust the amount to your liking, though.
White vinegar: For authentic flavor, use white vinegar. Alternatively, you could use apple cider vinegar or even lemon juice. However, the flavor will vary.
Olive oil: This will add a smooth mouthfeel and is perfect for garnishing.
Salt: To enhance the flavor.

How to Make Tzatziki Sauce

There are just a few simple steps for the best tzatziki recipe.

Step 1: Prepare the Cucumber

Grate the cucumber with a box grater and optionally sprinkle it with salt (this will help extract the excess liquid). Set aside for 10 minutes.

I say that the salt is optional because the cucumber juice that you squeeze from the cucumber is delightful as a drink. But not so much if it’s salty!

Place the rested cucumber into nut milk back or several layers of cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much excess water as possible.

Alternatively, you can salt the cucumbers and leave them in a colander to naturally drain with the help of gravity. This will provide the best texture for the cucumber. However, this will take a far longer resting time (like overnight!), so I usually avoid it.

Steps for removing water from shredded cucumber

Step 2: Prepare the Remaining Ingredients

Finely chop the dill and grate or mince the garlic. If you need help peeling garlic, I’ve tried and tested several methods.

Step 3: Mix the Tzatziki Sauce

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

For the best flavor, allow the Greek sauce to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours but even better overnight. This will give the flavors a chance to meld together properly and tastes better than directly after making it.

Before serving, give it one last taste and adjust any of the ingredients if needed (more salt, acidity, etc). Then drizzle with a bit of additional olive oil, and enjoy!

Steps for making authentic Greek Tzatziki (Gyro sauce)

Can You Freeze Tzatziki Sauce

I do not recommend freezing the tziki sauce. But if you need to, pour it into a freezer-safe, air-tight container. It will keep in your freezer for 3 months. Keep in mind the texture will change upon thawing.

What to Eat with Tzatziki Sauce

Spread it liberally on souvlaki/gyros wraps (it’s the ultimate gyro sauce!) and with calamari. Plus, there are still tons of other ways to enjoy this authentic Greek tzatziki sauce:

As an appetizer/dip with crudites or Greek pita for dipping.
For dipping with fries and potato wedges – even zucchini or eggplant fries.
Spread in sandwiches, burgers, or wraps.
Served as part of a mezze platter alongside dishes like dolma, greek salad, etc.
As part of a grain bowl alongside your grain of choice, fresh veggies, olives, etc. You can also use it as tzatziki dressing.
Serve as a side to Stuffed Vegetables (Gemista/Yemista) and other Greek food.

FAQs

Why drain the cucumber?

By draining the cucumber, you get rid of some of the excess liquid and extend the dish’s shelf life. The cucumber won’t release its juices quickly and you won’t have watery, mushy sauce.

How to drain plain yogurt?

Similarly to letting the cucumber drain naturally, that’s how plain yogurt drains. Layer some cheesecloth in a colander or transfer the yogurt into a nut milk bag. Allow it to hang over a bowl and naturally drain the excess whey.
This will take at least a few hours, if not overnight- so plan for this time.

Do you peel cucumber for tzatziki?

While some recipes do call for peeled cucumber, I prefer it with the peel on. Not only does it add more nutrients and fiber, but it also helps keep the cucumber yogurt sauce a little crunchier too!
You’ll only need to peel the cucumber if you’re using a variety with thick, bitter skin.

Other Dip & Sauce Recipes

If you try this easy tzatziki recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!