Tzatziki Sauce

This homemade Tzatziki sauce recipe is creamy and refreshing and it is the absolute best dip for any occasion. It is made with Greek yogurt, cucumber and fresh dill and I bet you will be surprised by how simple it is to make it at home! This Tzatziki sauce is delicious with gyros, on bread, with fresh veggies and many more. It is also a healthier choice for a dip so you can enjoy it without the guilt.

So let’s talk about Tzatziki sauce for a minute. My husband and I both share the love of this dip. We have tried it in many different restaurants and also bought a ton of store bought, all different brands. But after taking a look at the ingredient list and all of the additives, I decided I wanted to give it a try and make it at home. I quickly found out that it is SO easy to make yourself. After countless times of making our own Tzatziki sauce, we found that this recipe is our favorite. I hope you like it as much as we do!

What is Tzatziki Sauce?

Tzatziki sauce can be described as a creamy, salted yogurt dip and is a staple in the Greek cuisine. Traditionally, it is made of salted strained yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar and fresh herbs. It is served chilled as a dip or as a side for various different foods, such as gyros, pitas, bread, veggies and so much more. Authentic Greek Tzatziki sauce is typically made with sheep or goat yogurt, however, this recipe calls for whole milk plain Greek yogurt.

Ingredients:

• Greek Yogurt – I typically use plain full fat Greek yogurt. Any brand of yogurt will work.
• Cucumbers – For this recipe, I always use English cucumbers. They have little to no seeds, therefore there is no need to take the time to seed them. If you do not have an English cucumber, you can easily scoop the seeds out by cutting the cucumber in half, lengthwise and using a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
  You will notice in many recipes, the cucumbers are grated. However, my recipe says to finely chop them. I find that it gives a little more texture to this dip and I enjoy getting a crunchy bite of a cucumber every now and then. If you would rather have a smoother dip, feel free to grate them instead. Either way will work perfectly fine for this recipe!
• Garlic – This recipe calls for 2 cloves of garlic, but you can use more or less depending on your preference. You can either use pressed or grated garlic.
• Lemon – Fresh squeezed lemon juice is always the best! Some Tzatziki recipes call for vinegar instead, but I find it more refreshing to use lemon juice.
• Fresh Dill – Does this recipe absolutely need fresh dill rather than dried dill? The answer is yes! Fresh herbs are better in this dip. Many other Tzatziki recipes also call for Mint, however, I prefer to make the dill the star of this dip! But if you love mint, go on and add it in, as well! It will also be super tasty this way.
• Olive Oil – Be sure to get a good quality extra virgin olive oil for this dip. Trust me, it makes all the difference.

Step by Step Instructions on how to make the best Tzatziki:

1. Start by finely chopping (or grating) the cucumber. Place a clean dish towel or paper towels in a medium bowl. I find that a dish towel is easier because it is not prone to tearing open like a paper towel. Then sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt on the cucumber and mix.
2. Next wrap the cucumber in the dish towel or paper towel and gently squeeze out the excess liquid over the bowl or the sink. Discard the excess liquid. Do not skip this step! If you do, the cucumbers will release the liquid into the dip causing it to be too watery.  
   
3. Next, place the strained cucumbers back in the bowl. Combine with the Greek yogurt, garlic, fresh dill, lemon juice, olive oil and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir ingredients together.
4. Drizzle the top with more olive oil, if desired and serve immediately or chill it in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

What can I serve my Tzatziki sauce with?

My husband and I enjoy our Tzatziki sauce with so many different foods. It goes best with the obvious choices of gyros, on pitas, on bread or with vegetables. But you can also serve it as a dip for crackers or chips. You can use it as a salad dressing or as a spread on sandwiches. We have also served it on top of baked potatoes and wow, it amazing that way! My husband cooks meatballs (recipe coming soon) and serves with Tzatziki instead of the traditional marinara sauce. It is so darn delicious! Or if you are anything like me, you can just devour it by the spoonful! The bottom line is, Tzatziki sauce pairs perfectly and deliciously with a variety of foods!

Try this Tzatziki sauce with our Greek-inspired Meatball Gyros!

Tzatziki Sauce

This homemade Tzatziki sauce recipe is the absolute best dip for any occasion, made with yogurt, cucumber and fresh dill. It is refreshing and creamy and you will be surprised by how simple it is to make!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course condiments

Cuisine Greek

Servings 5

Calories 24 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup full fat plain Greek yogurt
• ½ large english cucumber peeled, finely chopped or grated
• 2 garlic cloves pressed
• 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
• ½ tbsp olive oil extra virgin
• ½ tsp kosher salt divided

Instructions

 

• In a medium bowl, add cucumber and sprinkle with ¼ tsp salt. Then place cucumber in a dish towel and gently squeeze excess liquid out.
• Combine cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, olive oil and the remaining ¼ tsp of salt. Drizzle top with olive oil and chill until ready to serve!

Notes

• You can consume the Tzatziki sauce immediately or you can make it ahead and chill in the fridge in an airtight container until you are ready to serve. It is best consumed within two days, otherwise the cucumber will continue to release liquid, making the dip too watery. 
• Not a fan of dill? Try switching it up! Use fresh mint or parsley instead. 

Keyword easy, Tzatziki sauce