For this week’s recipe, we are flying all the way to the Greek island of Paros with an authentic Homemade Tzatziki Sauce.
This rich, creamy, and refreshing sauce is a wonderful combination of booming flavors of Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs.
This easy Tzatziki sauce is a refreshing chilled sauce, dip, or spread that is versatile and so easy to prepare!
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
I think it is time we widen our horizon and look beyond what’s familiar. This authentic Homemade Tzatziki sauce is a perfect idea if you feel like steering away from all the traditional dips and spreads we grew up to love over the years.
Allow me to present you with the best way to showcase your summer produce! This bright dip will liven up any meal, and it is just the right fix for a light filling treat!
The Tzatziki sauce is just the right trick if you are looking for something to draw smiles, satisfied sighs, and happy praises during your next family gathering!
What Is Tzatziki Sauce?
Tzatziki is a Greek sauce or dip that is well enjoyed in Southern Europe and Middle Eastern cuisines. It is made out of Greek yogurt mixed with cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs.
The dish took on various representation across the region. Apart from twisting the recipe and making it their own, countries enjoyed this Tzatziki recipe in Mezze (as an appetizer), as soup, dip, or spread.
Let’s Talk Benefits!
Tzatziki is a very popular Greek dip that is made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, fresh herbs, and olive oil. This creamy spread is not only booming with flavors, but also packed with all the health benefits that makes it an easy candidate to steal your heart!
Let’s investigate its nutritional profile.
Tzatziki is a low-calorie sauce, made with Greek yogurt which is thicker than regular yogurt. It is known to be strained to remove liquid whey, which reduces its liquid content and makes it high in protein.
This Greek dip is packed with refreshing flavors without the extra fat. It is also rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals. Get your healthy eyes and strong bones game on!
Perfect for The Body and Soul!
Other Variations You Might Enjoy
Allow me to make you fall in love. The best thing about this homemade Tzatziki recipe is how customizable it is! Try these recipe variations and see what works best for your taste buds.
Make it extra fresh by adding the zest of 1 lemon (fresh lemon juice not vinegar), or ¼ teaspoon of sumac for an interesting kick.
If you are anything like me and are in love with everything mint, then replace the dill with mint for a minty fresh burst.
Let’s shake it with a Mexican twist! Replace the dill with some cilantro, and an equal amount of lime instead of lemon. It is absolutely wonderful with some tacos or burritos.
Finally, spice it up by adding ½ teaspoon of paprika or 1 tablespoon of Chile paste, for a slightly smoky spicy flavor.
Add It to Your Mezze!
Mezze is basically a selection of small dishes in a multi-course meal. They serve as appetizers in most West Asian, Balkans, and North African countries, but they can also be enjoyed as snacks in gatherings.
So the next time you are having guests over, aim to impress the masses with this fresh Tzatziki sauce and these delicious appetizers!
It won’t be a noteworthy meal without some traditional vegetarian grape leaves! These babies are wonderfully light, satisfying, and soaked in all the right juices!
And you know your table is missing out big when those fluffy Lebanese spinach pies are not around to please.
There are literally countless of options that can add some fresh creativity into your dinner table. Don’t worry, you will get those cooking credits by the time the last bites came to settle.
Refreshing and Vibrant!
Ways to Enjoy the Tzatziki Dip
Now that you’ve mixed everything together and allowed your sauce to rest, it is finally time to dip in! There are endless ways you can enjoy this creamy Tzatziki sauce.
Enjoy this fresh dip with some grilled or fresh fruits and veggies like carrots, cucumber, mushrooms, bell pepper, green beans, or asparagus. You can even enjoy it with some boiled and seasoned broccoli.
You might also want to dip some crackers in the Tzatziki sauce, or slather it onto sandwiches, pita bread, skillet flat bread, or olive bread.
Another great way to serve this dip is by pairing it with a Mediterranean salad like a Lebanese Tabouli Salad, a honey balsamic vinaigrette chef salad, or a honey mustard harvest salad.
Oh! And whenever you feel into an extra kick of flavor, then top it onto some chicken, shawarma, or beef!
A Refreshing Snack for the Summer Days!
Tips for The Best Results
Although this Greek Tzatziki Sauce recipe seems simple enough to manage, there are a few tips up my sleeve that would make your cooking time smoother.
Tip 1: Allow your cucumber to drain properly. Try to combine all the ingredients and leave out the cucumber and dill. Your ingredients will be resting in the fridge overnight while the cucumber drain.
Tip 2: As much as we love garlic, sometimes their sharp bite is too much to handle. So, allow your yogurt and garlic to sit for a bit before you enjoy a dip.
Tip 3: Make the drill the last thing you add to the mixture. You don’t want its flavor to overwhelm the others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure you can. Make a dairy-free or vegan Tzatziki by substituting the Greek yogurt with coconut milk yogurt.
Although the authentic and traditional Tzatziki sauce recipe does not include it, it sure adds a nice flavor to the mix. You can omit it if you prefer to.
In my opinion, any fresh veggie is always best. Keep in mind that fresh garlic is stronger in taste than store-bought ones, so make sure you adjust the amount used according to your liking.
Store your Tzatziki sauce in an air-tight glass container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Take It For a Dip!
The Ingredients You Need
- Greek yogurt
- cucumber
- garlic gloves
- olive oil
- vinegar
- dill
- salt
Follow These Simple Instructions
First, finely dice or grate the cucumber. If you grate it; place in a paper towel or cheesecloth and gently squeeze out all the water.
Then, in a medium mixing bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, dill, salt and the drained or cubed cucumber.
Serve right away, or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and style with dill for a picturesque presentation!.
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Mediterranean Lentil Soup
- Best Boiled Potatoes With Dried Herbs
- Roasted Chickpea Avocado Salad
- Unstuffed Cabbage-Malfoof
- Perfect Lemon Parmesan Spaghetti
- Zucchini Egg Skillet
- Chicken and Potato Béchamel Bake
- The Supreme Vegan Black Bean Burger
- Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Tahini Dressing
- Blackened Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce (Greek Yogurt and Cucumber)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt
- 1 large cucumber
- 1-2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dill minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Finely dice or grate the cucumber. If you grate it; place in a paper towel or cheesecloth and gently squeeze out all the water.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, dill, salt and the drained or cubed cucumber.
- Serve right away or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and style with dill as a final touch.
Amanda says
Great recipe! It was an instant hit with my family and friends! Thanks a lot for posting it!
Lama says
Hi Amanda! So glad to hear you enjoyed my homemade Tzatziki sauce recipe!! 🙂
Nicky says
In love with this dip. A new twist to our traditional dips. Thank you
Kylie L says
Made this with beef shawarma today. It was amazing 🤩
Daniella says
I wish I knew how to make this before! It’s absolutely delicious and goes well with many dishes!