There is nothing quite like the cool and refreshing taste of a classic Greek tzatziki to brighten up a meal. This traditional sauce balances the richness of grilled meats and the heat of spicy dishes with its creamy texture and tangy profile. While it might seem fancy, this authentic Cucumber Yogurt Dip is incredibly simple to make at home.
Chef B has perfected this recipe to ensure it comes together quickly without sacrificing flavor. By using crisp cucumbers, pungent garlic, and bright lemon juice, we create a versatile condiment that works as a dip, a spread, or a dressing. This Easy Tzatziki Sauce relies on fresh ingredients and a little bit of patience to let the flavors meld. It is the ultimate cooling element for your next Mediterranean feast.
Recipe Stats
- Servings: 16 servings
- Estimated Cost: $5 to $7 depending on yogurt and herbs
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Equipment
- Box Grater
- Clean Kitchen Towel or Paper Towels
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon or Spatula
Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients
- 4 Persian cucumbers finely grated (or 1/2 English cucumber)
- 3 cups plain Greek yogurt or thick yogurt (full fat is best)
- 1 to 2 cloves garlic finely grated (adjust to taste)
- 4 tsps fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/3 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsps chopped fresh mint or dill (or both)
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cucumbers. Finely grate the cucumbers using a box grater over paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Wrap the towel tightly around the grated cucumber. Squeeze out the excess juice with your hands directly over a bowl or the sink. Discard the liquid.
- Combine the base. Place the yogurt into a mixing bowl. Add the drained grated cucumber to the yogurt. Peel the garlic and grate a whole clove or half a clove directly into the bowl depending on how strong you want the garlic flavor.
- Season the sauce. Add the fresh lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper, and your choice of chopped fresh herbs like mint or dill. Stir well with a spoon or spatula until everything is thoroughly combined. Taste the mixture and adjust the salt or lemon if needed.
- Chill. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill until you are ready to serve. This helps the sauce thicken and cool.
- Finish and serve. Just before serving, stir in the extra virgin olive oil if you are using it. Enjoy this homemade sauce as a dip with pita bread or as a refreshing topping for your meal.
Notes
Ingredient Tips
For the creamiest texture, whole milk Greek yogurt works best. However, you can also use whole milk, low fat, or non fat regular yogurt if you prefer a lighter version. Be mindful of the garlic. The raw garlic flavor can be strong, so start with a little and add more if you like a spicy kick.
Flavor Variations
You can customize this Mediterranean Sauce easily. Add grated lemon zest for extra brightness and citrus aroma. While this recipe suggests mint or dill, you can use a combination of both for a complex herbal profile. Some cooks even add a splash of vinegar instead of lemon juice for a sharper tang.
Make Ahead Tips
This sauce actually gets better with time. The astringency of the garlic will mellow after sitting in the yogurt mix for a few hours. If you have the time, let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors marry perfectly.
Tzatziki Sauce Serving Ideas
This versatile Cucumber Yogurt Dip has endless uses.
- Dips: Serve with warm pita bread, pita chips, or a platter of fresh vegetables.
- Sauces: Dollop over grilled chicken, lamb chops, or baked fish.
- Wraps: Use it as a spread for gyros, shawarma wraps, and burgers.
- Sides: Serve alongside spicy dishes to act as a cooling counterpoint.
Tzatziki Sauce FAQs
Tzatziki is a simple sauce primarily made of strained yogurt, drained cucumber, olive oil, fresh herbs like dill or mint, garlic, and lemon juice or vinegar. It is a staple in Southeast European and Middle Eastern cuisines.
The key to a thick and creamy sauce is removing the water from the cucumber. You must grate the cucumber and squeeze it thoroughly in a towel to release the excess moisture before adding it to the yogurt. Using thick Greek yogurt also helps maintain the right consistency.
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this sauce will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. After that, the water may separate from the yogurt, and the cucumbers may lose their crunch.
Yes. You can use it as a thick dressing for hearty salads. If you want a thinner consistency to drizzle over greens, simply whisk in a little more lemon juice or olive oil until it reaches your desired texture.
Generally, yes. It is rich in protein and probiotics from the yogurt. It also contains healthy fats from olive oil and vitamins from the fresh cucumber and herbs. It is a nutritious alternative to heavy mayonnaise based dips.
Easy Tzatziki Sauce
Equipment
- Box Grater – For finely grating cucumber and garlic
- Clean Kitchen Towel or Paper Towels – For draining cucumber
- Mixing Bowl – For combining ingredients
- Spoon or Spatula: – For stirring
Ingredients
- 4 Persian cucumbers finely grated (or ½ English cucumber)
- 3 cups plain Greek yogurt or thick yogurt (full-fat is best)
- 1 – 2 clove garlic finely grated (adjust to taste)
- 4 tsps lemon juice fresh
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ⅓ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsps chopped fresh mint or dill (or both)
- 2 tbsps extra virgin live oil (optional)
Instructions
- Finely grate cucumbers over paper towels or a clean kitchen towel, wrap tightly, and squeeze out the excess juice with your hands over a bowl or the sink. Discard the liquid. If you have the time, you can drain it in a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve overnight in the fridge.4 Persian cucumbers
- Add yogurt into a mixing bowl; add the drained grated cucumber. Grate a whole garlic or a half of it in, depending on how garlicky you like your sauce.3 cups plain Greek yogurt
- Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs. Stir till everything is well-combined. Check the seasoning and adjust to taste.4 tsps lemon juice, ½ tsp salt, ⅓ tsp ground black pepper, 4 tbsps chopped fresh mint or dill, 1 – 2 clove garlic
- Refrigerate till ready to serve.
- Just before serving, stir in extra virgin olive oil (optional). Enjoy as a dip with pita bread or veggies or as a sauce with your Mediterranean meal.2 tbsps extra virgin live oil
Notes
- Yogurt: whole milk Greek yogurt works best, but you can also use whole milk, low-fat or non-fat regular yogurt
- Make ahead: the astringency of the garlic will mellow after sitting in the yogurt mix for a few hours
Flavor Variations
- Add grated lemon zest for extra brightness.
- Swap mint for dill for a more traditional profile—or use both.
Serving Ideas
- Dip for pita bread or fresh vegetables
- Sauce for grilled chicken, lamb, or fish
- Spread for gyros, wraps, and sandwiches
- Cooling accompaniment to spicy dishes
Hi, I’m Chef B! Passionate about all things culinary, I’ve spent years perfecting my recipes to bring bold flavors to your kitchen. Let’s cook up something delicious together!
