Creamy, rich, thick and white,Tzatziki Sauce is a traditional Greek dip which is made using thick and creamy yogurt, herbs and cucumber. Here is how to make easy homemade Tzatziki Recipe.
Tzatziki is a traditional Greek dip/sauce that is served at Greek restaurants and is also known as yogurt and cucumber sauce.
It’s a refreshing chilled sauce, dip or spread. Tzatziki, also known as cacık or tarator, is usually found in Southeast European and the Middle Eastern cuisines. The word tzatziki appeared in English around the mid-20th century as a loanword from Modern Greek (τζατζίκι), which in turn comes from the Turkish word cacık, of obscure or unknown origin. (Source: Wikipedia)
Tzatziki is mostly served as a meze (cold appetizer) or a side dish. It is generally served with grilled meat and gyros. You can even serve it with roasted or grilled vegetables, chips, nachos or with finger food at any party or dinner. This is so tangy and delicious; perfect spread over some warm bread!
This authentic tzatziki recipe is the best that you will ever make, and it’s so addictive and easy that you will keep on making it again and again. Give this homemade tzatziki recipe a try today and I am sure you will love it.
What is Tzatziki?
Tzatziki is a creamy Greek yogurt based dip, made using yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, fresh herbs, such as dill or mint, garlic, lemon juice and salt.
This easy to make homemade dip is healthy and versatile. You can put it together in no time with just eight ingredients and requires zero cooking. All you need is good quality ingredients and a little time.
Tzatziki sauce can be compared to the Indian raita, except only cucumber is the vegetable used in the preparation, and olive oil gives it an added flavor. In some organic stores, readymade Tzatziki sauce is available, but nothing tastes better than homemade. It is also my quick go to for thickening up meat dishes, is low on carb and gluten-free too.
How to pronounce Tzatziki?
Tzatziki is pronounced as Tsaht-ZEE-kee or tsah-see-key. There are various pronunciations available on Google, but the most authentic are these two.
How does Tzatziki taste?
Tzatziki is a garlicky yogurt dip with a strong flavor from dill and crunch from yogurt. It is mildly sour and refreshing in taste. It has a salty, tangy and very garlicky taste.
Tzatziki Ingredients
Tzatziki is a refreshing dip/sauce and can be used with anything and everything. Cucumber and zingy lemon give it a refreshing flavor, while Greek yogurt makes it light and fluffy.
The ingredients to make Tzatziki are very basic and are found in most kitchen. Here is a list of ingredients that I use to make Tzatziki sauce.
Greek Yogurt: I have used Greek yogurt to make the dip. If Greek yogurt is not available, you can use hung curd. To make hung or strained yogurt, hang the regular yogurt in a muslin cloth for an hour and use it. Use vegan yogurt if you are on a vegan diet. You can replace yogurt with sour cream as well.
Cucumber: To make tzatziki, English cucumber is the best. I have used finely grated English cucumber. If you can’t find English cucumber, use fresh cucumber that is available. Remove all the seeds from it and then use.
Garlic: Garlic is the hero ingredient in this dip. Use freshly minced garlic to get the best result. The longer it stands in the yogurt, better it tastes and its sharp taste mellows downs.
Fresh Dill: Use fresh dill leaves to add the best flavor and crunch. It’s important that you add dill leaves right before serving to avoid its strong flavor to overwhelm the rest.
Tips to make best Tzatziki Sauce
Make sure you drain out the water from the grated cucumber. You can squeeze out the liquid using a cheesecloth or leave it in a mesh sieve overnight. If you are in a hurry, then squeeze out all the water using your hands.
Garlic is the hero ingredient in this dip. The longer it stands in the yogurt, better it tastes and its sharp taste also mellows downs.
If you have time on hand, mix all the ingredients except cucumber and dill leaves and leave it overnight in the refrigerator. It makes the yogurt flavorful and the water from the cucumber will be drained out meanwhile.
It’s important that you add dill leaves right before serving to avoid its strong flavor to overwhelm the rest.
If Greek yogurt isn’t available and you need to make tzatziki, you can use sour cream instead. Just use an equivalent quantity of sour cream to the yogurt and follow rest of the recipe as is. You have your tzatziki ready.
How to make Vegan Tzatziki?
If you are a vegan or making this dip for someone who is vegan, you are in for a treat. It’s super easy. Just replace Greek yogurt with an equal amount of coconut yogurt, cashew yogurt or any other vegan yogurt and make a dairy free Tzatziki Dip.
Can you freeze Tzatziki Sauce?
You can freeze tzatziki, but it is not preferable. As cucumber will lose its crunch and dill will overpower all the other flavors. Yogurt will become sour with time. Therefore, it is better to not freeze it.
How long can you refrigerate Tzatziki?
You can make tzatziki ahead of time and store it in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. Consume it within 2 to 4 days.
What to serve with Tzatziki?
Tzatziki is a versatile dip that can be served with anything and everything. You can serve it with snacks and appetizers. Serve it with warm pita bread or any other bread, sliced vegetables, grilled or roasted chicken.
You can serve it with gyros, pita sandwiches, shawarma, chips, meze platter, or Mediterranean baked potatoes. You can even use it as a sandwich spread.
How to make Tzatziki Step by Step
Mix cucumber with 1/2 tsp salt and keep aside for 10 minutes.
Squeeze the cucumber and keep aside.
Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Tzatziki Sauce
Creamy, rich, thick and white,Tzatziki Sauce is a traditional Greek dip which is made using thick and creamy yogurt, herbs and cucumber. Here is how to make easy homemade Tzatziki Recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup English Cucumber Grated
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill Chopped
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt To taste
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper Powder
Instructions
Mix cucumber with 1/2 tsp salt and keep aside for 10 minutes.
Squeeze the cucumber and keep aside.
Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Refrigerate the dip for up to 2-3 hours.
Serve with pita chips or nachos.
Recipe Notes
If greek yogurt is not available, hang the regular yogurt in a muslin cloth for an hour and use it instead
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Christie Finch
Very tasty! I even sometimes use it as a drink by making it more liquid.