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Home » Appetizers » Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Published: February 15, 2022 Last Modified: February 17, 2022 By Sara 18 Comments

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

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This tzatziki sauce is a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic and fresh herbs, all mixed together.
This tzatziki sauce is a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic and fresh herbs, all mixed together.
This tzatziki sauce is a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic and fresh herbs, all mixed together.

This tzatziki sauce is a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic and fresh herbs, all mixed together to make a zesty condiment or dip. Homemade tzatziki takes just minutes to make, and tastes way better than what you’d buy at the grocery store.

I love to recreate my favorite Mediterranean dishes at home such as tabbouleh, baba ganoush and this refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce. I like to serve this sauce with pita bread as an appetizer, or pair it with grilled chicken or lamb as a main course.

A bowl of tzatziki served with pita bread and vegetables.

Whenever I go to my local Greek restaurant, I order a side of tzatziki sauce. This cool and creamy condiment is a great dipping sauce for meats, vegetables, potatoes, bread and more. My version of this classic dish can be on the table in 10 minutes, and will make any Mediterranean style meal taste more authentic.

Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients

The ingredients for this recipe are simple and can be found at all major grocery stores.

Bowls of ingredients to make tzatziki.
  • Greek Yogurt: This dip can be made with any type of plain Greek yogurt. That being said, full fat yogurt makes for the creamiest sauce. I’ve also made this recipe with low fat and non fat yogurt with great results.
  • Cucumber: Choose a thin skinned cucumber such as English or Persian cucumber for the best results.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is the way to go here, and a little goes a long way.
  • Olive Oil: I prefer to use a high quality extra virgin olive oil since this dip has a minimal ingredient list and the flavor of every ingredient really counts.
  • Dill: Fresh dill is important to the success of this recipe; I find that the dried dill isn’t quite as flavorful.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is the perfect counterpart to the creamy yogurt.
  • Seasonings: Add salt and pepper to really accentuate the flavors of the other ingredients.

How do you make tzatziki sauce?

Start with an English cucumber, then shred it by using a box grater. Squeeze the excess water from the grated cucumber. Place the cucumber in a bowl with Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic and dill. Stir everything together until it’s well combined. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and more dill, then serve and enjoy.

Process shots including grated cucumber, ingredients in a bowl, and a spoon stirring everything.

Tips for the perfect yogurt sauce

  • I like to use full fat yogurt for the creamiest dip, but fat free and low fat yogurt will also work.
  • This sauce works best with Greek yogurt. If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can strain regular plain yogurt and use that instead.
  • While I like the flavor of dill in this tzatziki sauce, other great options include parsley, mint, chives or a combination of herbs.
  • I use English cucumber in my tzatziki because it’s seedless and has a thin skin. You can use a traditional waxy cucumber, just be sure to peel it and remove the seeds. Small Persian cucumbers also work really well.
  • You can add other flavors to your sauce including diced kalmata olives, or add more garnishes such as toasted pine nuts or sun dried tomatoes.
Tzatziki sauce in a glass bowl.

Recipe FAQs

What is tzatziki sauce?

Tzatziki sauce is a yogurt based dip that’s popular in both Greek and Turkish cuisines. The sauce contains a strained or Greek style yogurt, along with cucumbers, olive oil, a tangy component such as lemon juice or vinegar, and fresh herbs. This dip is served chilled and is typically offered as an appetizer.

How long will tzatziki last?

the last minute. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the yogurt can curdle or separate upon being thawed.

Is tzatziki sauce healthy?

Tzatziki sauce contains ingredients that are all considered healthy including yogurt, olive oil and cucumbers. This is a protein packed dip that’s filled with nutrients and a great addition to any healthy eating plan. If you’re watching your calories, be sure to choose a low fat or non fat yogurt.

What do you eat with tzatziki sauce?

This sauce is often served as an appetizer with pita bread, or can be used to top grilled chicken or fish. It’s also great in sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce for potatoes.

A hand dipping pita bread into a bowl of tzatziki.

Whether you’re serving this dip with grilled chicken or as a lighter appetizer option, it’s sure to be a big hit with family and friends!

More Mediterranean dishes

  • Fattoush Salad
  • Homemade Hummus
  • Chicken Souvlaki
  • Muhammara Dip
  • Chopped Greek Salad

Tzatziki Sauce Video

A bowl of tzatziki served with pita bread and vegetables.
Print Pin
5 from 16 votes

Tzatziki Sauce

This tzatziki sauce is a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic and fresh herbs, all mixed together to make a zesty condiment or dip. Homemade tzatziki takes just minutes to make, and tastes way better than what you'd buy at the grocery store.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mediterranean
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 11 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 62kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup grated cucumber such as English cucumber
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Squeeze excess water from the cucumber.
  • Place the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl.
  • Stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
  • Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped dill before serving.

Notes

  1. I prefer full fat Greek yogurt, but low fat and non fat also work just fine.
  2. Choose a thin skinned cucumber with minimal seeds such as an English or Persian cucumber.
  3. High quality olive oil is important here for optimal flavor since this recipe has such a minimal ingredient list.
  4. I really recommend using fresh dill as it’s so much more flavorful than dried. If you do need to use dried dill, use 1/3 of the amount as you would for fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 164mg | Potassium: 71mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg
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Filed Under: Appetizers, Sauces & Seasonings

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    Comments

    1. Claudia Lamascolo says

      February 24, 2022 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      I never knew how easy this was to make and buy aldi brand never again! this is great!

      Reply
    2. veenaazmanov says

      February 23, 2022 at 7:06 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds so healthy. Combination of Yogurt and cucumber sounds refreshing too. Perfect Summer dish too.

      Reply
    3. Katie says

      February 23, 2022 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      Made this to go with gyros- it was a perfect fit! The flavors were bright and delicious!

      Reply
    4. Sue says

      February 23, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      5 stars
      We made this last night and everybody flipped over it, thanks!

      Reply
    5. Smchen44 says

      February 5, 2021 at 10:35 am

      5 stars
      Just whipped up a bowl. Husband took one taste and rolled his eyes in ecstasy. He says better than any store bought

      Reply
    6. Becky says

      May 5, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      Well, this was so delicious that I’m back in less than a week to do it again. I’m feeding five zoo animals and 1/2 a recipe did it for the grilled chicken kabobs (fantastic recipe also from this site). Thank you so much for creating this easy and delicious recipe! I’m doing kabobs tonight AGAIN, with extra for stuffed pita tomorrow. Delish!

      Reply
      • Becky says

        April 3, 2021 at 2:25 pm

        5 stars
        Adding a little note. Because the quality of greek yougrt I’ve had access to, I found that some have a sort of dry aftertaste, so I started adding a small bit of vinegar (I’ve tried white wine and champagne) to take that edge off.

        Reply
    7. Alisha says

      April 15, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      Tastes like the tzatziki sauce I had in Athens. YUM.

      Reply
    8. Toni says

      April 15, 2020 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      This was a huge hit at my house! It tastes so good!

      Reply
    9. katerina says

      April 15, 2020 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      YUM!! This sauce sounds incredibly delicious!!

      Reply
    10. Jacque Hastert says

      April 11, 2020 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      This sauce sounds fantastic! I will be whipping this together tomorrow~

      Reply
    11. Jen says

      April 11, 2020 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      I’m obsessed with any and all Greek food! The flavors of this sauce are totally restaurant worthy. Thank you so much for helping me recreate one of my favorites.

      Reply
    12. katerina says

      April 10, 2020 at 8:29 am

      5 stars
      YUM!! This is SO GOOD!!

      Reply
    13. Allyson Zea says

      April 10, 2020 at 7:00 am

      I never realize this had so much protein! I love the sauce!

      Reply
    14. Erin says

      April 9, 2020 at 10:14 pm

      5 stars
      This tzatziki sauce looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!

      Reply
    15. Cathy says

      April 9, 2020 at 8:56 pm

      Such a great recipe with so many uses!

      Reply
    16. Dorothy Reinhold says

      April 9, 2020 at 5:28 pm

      We are snacking a lot these days. I have been trying to think of more healthy options. This is perfect!

      Reply
    17. Amanda says

      April 9, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      5 stars
      I desperately needed this recipe thank you so much!

      Reply

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