Tzatziki
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Skip the store-bought version—this homemade tzatziki is fresh, tangy, and packed with cucumber, garlic, and herbs. Keep a batch in the fridge for dipping, spreading, and spooning over grilled meats.
Tzatziki (pronounced tuh-ZEE-kee) is a cool, creamy yogurt sauce that’s popular throughout Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. Made with thick Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs, it’s tangy, refreshing, and incredibly versatile. Traditionally served as part of a meze spread, it’s just as good spooned over grilled meats like souvlaki, kofta, kabobs, and gyros, or served alongside pita and fresh vegetables for dipping. With just a handful of simple ingredients, it’s one of those delicious, healthy recipes you’ll find yourself making all summer long.
“One of the best Tzatziki recipes I have come across—and I have tried many.”
What You’ll Need To Make Tzatziki
To make homemade tzatziki, you’ll need Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh mint (or fresh dill) salt, and pepper. Many recipes call for straining the yogurt, but I don’t find it necessary. For the cucumber, I like using English (or hothouse) cucumbers, the long cucumbers that come wrapped in plastic. Because their skin is thin and unwaxed, they do not need to be peeled—makes it easy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Seed the cucumber. Simply cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, and then use a small spoon to scrape the seeds out.
Step 2: Shred. Using a box grater or food processor, shred the cucumber.
Step 3: Wring out the liquid. Cucumbers hold a lot of water, and if you skip this step, your tzatziki will end up thin and watery. I first squeeze the shredded cucumber with my hands to remove as much liquid as possible, then wrap it in a clean dish towel and wring it out one more time.
Step 4: Combine the ingredients. Add the Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and mint to a mixing bowl.
Step 5: Mix and serve. Stir until evenly combined. Then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve and enjoy!
More Mediterranean Dips You’ll Love
Tzatziki (Yogurt & Cucumber Dip)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups plain 2% Greek yogurt
- 1 medium English or hothouse cucumber, seeded, coarsely grated, and squeezed as dry as possible (about 1 cup)
- 2 small cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Scant ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary (I often add a generous pinch of sugar to balance the flavors). Cover and chill until ready to serve. Before serving, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with fresh mint, if desired.
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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This looks great. I plan on making it this weekend! Do you grate the cucumber by hand or in a food processor ?
Hi Jamie, I use a food processor but either way is fine.
I never had Tzatziki sauce before and oh my was this ever delicious. I am sure going to make this next time my son and daughter in law come over for an appetizer with the zucchini fritters and pita chips. They are vegetarians and I know they would love this.
One of my favorite accompaniments to a spicy chicken curry, this works well as either a cooling agent or a dip. I also like to make chicken gyros using this as a condiment.
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I made this for my mother, who is constantly talking about a dip, made with Greek yogurt, that she has at her local diner. I didn’t think I would like it, too, since it is yogurt based. I was wrong. This dip is delicious and easy to make. Thanks.
Great recipe! I used regular cukes and scraped out the seeds. I also used homemade yogurt, but I have also used Dannon “Natural” and strained it in a coffee filter over a strainer with a can on top for about an hour or as much as overnight (if I had the time). Will have to try the mint, as I’m truly camp dill. 🙂
I’ve just eaten a whole tub (small) of low fat, shop bought Tzatziki dip and I just had to google the recipe, sounds so easy, I can’t wait to try it! ps. I added a can of tuna to the last half of the dip and it tasted amazing. Thanks for posting this, as I said, I can’t wait to try it, I’ll get back to ya. Deborah (from Australia). 😀
perfect with the zucchini fritters! just test your garlic beforehand…sometimes that can make things a little spicier 🙂 i prefer it with dill; making with mint is more reflective of indian raita. great dip with fresh veggies too!
wow. would be great on a gyro!! think this is going to be made very soon!!
is there a way to get calorie and daily fat percentage? thanks!!
Love this recipe, I like it on grilled chicken sandwiches or chicken burgers. Someone asked how long it lasts refrigerated, well, in my house, this recipe is gone long before it would have a chance to go bad. Just love your recipes, thanks !