Homemade Tzatziki Sauce is a delicious addition to any of your favorite Greek dishes. Made with just a handful of ingredients, it’s packed with fresh flavor and so easy to make!
It’s no secret around here that I’m a huge fan of all things cucumber. From Creamy Cucumber Salad to Cucumber Sandwiches to Cucumber Salsa… I love it all. Which makes tzatziki a NO BRAINER.
Not only is cucumber… but it’s sauce! Which is one of my greatest loves in life.
So why I’m just now uncovering my obsession with it? I’m not exactly sure. All I can say is… there’s no going back. There’s only going forward… and we’re definitely going to need to make up for lost time.
The good news? This tzatziki recipe is so easy to make, you’ll literally be making it all the time. Just a handful of ingredients and 5 minutes (seriously) is all you need. And although it’s most famously used on gyros, it also happens to be delicious on sandwiches, salads, or as a dip for fresh veggies or pita bread!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Greek yogurt – Traditional tzatziki uses full fat Greek yogurt, but I made mine with nonfat plain Greek yogurt and was very pleased with both the texture and thickness.
Cucumber – I would suggest using an English cucumber or even mini Persian cucumbers, since they’re less bitter than regular cucumbers and have much smaller seeds.
Garlic – Fresh minced or finely chopped garlic takes this recipe to the next level. In a pinch, substitute garlic powder.
Lemon – Fresh squeezed lemon juice pairs well with the cucumber and dill, bringing a necessary level of brightness to this sauce.
Dill – Fresh dill adds a ton of delicious flavor. Feel free to add more to taste.
Salt – Salt is essential, as it helps bring out all the other flavors. I used kosher.
Olive oil – A drizzle of olive oil on top adds flavor and richness. I used extra virgin.
how to make tzatziki
Grate the cucumber. Using a box grater, grate the cucumber onto a plate. (I left the peels on.) Press the grated cucumber with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Combine the ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and fresh dill. Stir until combined, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
Enjoy! Transfer to a serving bowl; serve with fresh veggies, pita chips, or as a sauce for salads or sandwiches.
Recipe Variations
- Add lemon zest for an extra lemony twist
- Substitute fresh mint or any of your favorite fresh herbs for the dill
- Substitute fresh cilantro for the mint and lime juice for the lemon (use on Mexican dishes)
- Substitute fresh oregano and basil for the dill and chopped sun dried tomatoes for the cucumber (use on Italian dishes)
- Add sliced green or red onion
- Make it spicy by adding cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce
- Add crumbled feta cheese
- Substitute sour cream for the Greek yogurt
Storage Tips
Store tzatziki in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 1 week and the flavors will continue to develop.
Use Tzatziki on These Recipes!
Tzatziki can be enjoyed on any of your favorite salads, meats, vegetables, and more. These are a few of our favorite ways to use it:
Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup cucumber grated, peels on
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon fresh dill minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 Tablespooon olive oil extra virgin
Instructions
- Using a box grater, grate the cucumber. Press with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and fresh dill. Stir until combined, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- Transfer to a serving bowl; serve with fresh veggies, pita chips, or as a sauce for salads or sandwiches.
Notes
Recipe Variations
- Add lemon zest for an extra lemony twist
- Substitute fresh mint or any of your favorite fresh herbs for the dill
- Substitute fresh cilantro for the mint and lime juice for the lemon (use on Mexican dishes)
- Substitute fresh oregano and basil for the dill and chopped sun dried tomatoes for the cucumber (use on Italian dishes)
- Add sliced green or red onion
- Make it spicy by adding cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce
- Add crumbled feta cheese
- Substitute sour cream for the Greek yogurt