The best and only tzatziki sauce you’ll ever need for all your gatherings. This tantalizing Tzatziki sauce is full of flavor and require only 15 minutes or less of your time to make it.
Addictively delicious, and this sauce is made with the simplest ingredients for you to use as a spread, sauce, or dip, whatever you prefer.
This sauce is perfect for outdoor gatherings, Easter, the holiday season and special events.
What Is Tzatziki Sauce & What Ingredients Are Added?
Tzatziki Sauce is a flavorful Greek sauce that’s used as a sauce, spread, and dip in different Middle Eastern and Southeast European homes and restaurants.
It is made with diluted yogurt, salt to taste, yogurt and cucumbers.
Additional ingredients such as olive oil, garlic, lemon juice or vinegar, salt, and other herbs can also be added in to further enhance the flavors.
Depending on the region, some herbs can include thyme, dill – as used in this recipe, parsley, and mint.
In the majority of cases, it is served as a side dish or appetizer. Not to forget, it’s a must-have sauce for gyros, Doner Kebab, Lebanese falafel, or souvlaki sandwiches.
The authentic recipe uses full-fat Greek yogurt or goat or sheep yogurt, which not only leads to an authentic flavor but it’s also easier to find.
Tzatziki sauce boasts a thick and creamy consistency. As far as the ingredients are concerned, we have already added information on some, but adding fresh dill and mint will add a summery and bright finish to the sauce.
Our recipe includes the following ingredients:
- Peeled Cucumber, grated or processed in the food processor and drained
- Greek Yogurt – preferably plain. You may use full fat or non fat Greek Yogurt.
- Fresh Dill or Dried Dill
- Lemon Juice; best to use fresh lemon juice.
- Minced Garlic Or Garlic Powder
- Salt To Taste
Where Did Tzatziki Sauce Come From?
Tarator was a well-known dish made from vinegar and ground vinegar back in the Ottoman Empire.
However, in the later future, different sauces, salads, and dips acquired the same name.
For instance, taratur was a sauce based on tahini in the Levant, while the Balkans and Turkey created a combination of cucumbers and yogurt, and they would use walnuts occasionally.
Having said that, that’s where tzatziki sauce came from, which has now become a traditional part of the cuisines.
What Does Tzatziki Taste Like & How To Make It?
Tzatzkiki has a mild acidic flavor and a creamy texture. Depending on the ingredients that’s added, it also has a mild earthy flavor from the dill or other herbs.
This wildly famous fresh and delicious sauce if often served in Greek restaurants.
You can make this sauce in no time with pantry staple ingredients, making it very easy for you to whip up for yourself.
This sauce along with our cowboy caviar is perfect to serve as a summer recipe. It adds an extra twist to your summer gatherings.
For a nice spread on your favorite grilled foods, nothing goes better than tzatziki sauce, and you can follow the below-mentioned steps for whipping up your own sauce;
- First, use a food processor to help chop the cucumber or use a grater to grate the cucumber. If using a grater, it’s best to use the bigger holes of the grater to find the right texture of cucumber in grated form.
- Once the cucumbers are grated, use a cheese cloth to squeeze out the juice. Then transfer the cucumbers to a bowl.
- Next, add in the yogurt, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder and dill. Mix well to combined.
- Refrigerate before serving. Best when served cold with pita bread, carrots and cucumbers.
How To Use The Sauce?
Tzatziki sauce can be paired with anything, and we would love to gulp it down with pita bread and carrot sticks. All in all, there are endless ways of using this sauce.
To begin with, it can be used as a snack with fresh vegetables and tastes equally delicious with crackers.
You can add it to your crudité platter and let your guests savor the flavor of this refreshing sauce. On top of everything, it can be served with grilled veggies when you have guests over for a summer dinner.
On the other hand, tzatziki sauce can be slathered on the sandwiches and will taste delicious with different Mediterranean salads like couscous salad and tabbouleh.
Not to forget, it goes perfectly with flatbread, falafel, and falafel burgers.
When it comes down to the vegetables, it compliments the bell peppers, carrots, green beans, mushrooms, asparagus, and corn on the cob.
On the other hand, it can be served on a platter with cheese and crackers, shatta or zhoug, hummus, olives, toasted pita wedges, and crispy raw vegetables.
On the contrary, if you are missing meats, you are in luck because tzatziki sauce can be served with meatballs, fish, and kebabs.
If we say this sauce is incredibly delicious – would that work? If not, we would love to get into the details!
So, tzatziki sauce is a subtle, mild, and mellow sauce that bursts with flavors.
The sauce is creamy and provides the refreshing flavor notes of cucumbers and lemon.
Keep in mind that adding tzatziki sauce won’t change the flavor of your recipes drastically, but it’s enough to add light refreshment to the meal.
Even more, it’s a go-to option when you want to balance out the strong flavors and spices.
On the other hand, many people think if the sauce is bitter, but no, it is not. This is because tzatziki sauce is not meant to be bitter.
However, if your tastes bitter, there are chances that you used too much lemon juice, or the quality of other ingredients wasn’t good enough.
For this reason, it is suggested that you always use high-quality and fresh ingredients to enjoy the right flavor. Also, always use extra virgin olive oil for the sauce.
As far as the cucumbers, they are also the common culprits behind the bitter flavors.
That’s to say because old cucumbers can impart a bitter flavor, but it’s also possible if you are using the bitter variety of cucumbers, so it’s time you do your research about the right cucumbers.
On top of everything, it is suggested that you blend the ingredients with the hand rather than using a food processor because it’s also a common reason behind the bitter sauce.
How To Store The Sauce?
The homemade sauce will be ready for your savorings for over two weeks, especially if you used the fresh yogurt. In simpler words, tzatziki sauce will last as long as the yogurt is fresh.
Always use fresh yogurt, and if you buy from the store, it’s best to consult the best-by date!
More Sauces, Dips, & Salsa To Enjoy
If you loved this sauce, we recommend trying one of these next:
HORSERADISH COCKTAIL SAUCE
TI MALICE – HOMEMADE HAITIAN HOT SAUCE RECIPE
MANGO HABANERO SALSA
HOMEMADE CAESAR DRESSING
CHIMICHURRI CILANTRO
SHITO PEPPER
BUTTER BEAN HUMMUS
It warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site, and we’d especially would love to know if you tried this any of the recipes mentioned.
Tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.
Also, we would appreciate if could give it a star rating below!
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Peeled cucumber Grated
- ½ cup Greek yogurt preferably plain
- 1 tablespoon Dried Dill Or 2 Tbsp. Fresh Dill
- Juice fro ½ Lemon
- 2 cloves garlic Minced or garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, use a food processor to help chop the cucumber or use a grater to grate the cucumber. If using a grater, it’s best to use the bigger holes of the grater to find the right texture of cucumber in grated form.Once the cucumbers are grated, use a cheese cloth to squeeze out the juice. Then transfer the cucumbers to a bowl.
- Next, add in the yogurt, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder and dill. Mix well to combined.Refrigerate for a couple hours before serving. Best when served cold with pita bread, carrots and cucumbers.
Video
Notes
- How long can you keep tzatziki in the fridge? I personally like to discard the tzatziki sauce after 4 days.
- How long does it take to make tzatziki? Typically, it takes about 15 minutes to make this delicious sauce.
- Chill the dip for a couple hours before serving. Chilling it also allow the flavors to set.
- Adding fresh parsley can also enhance the flavor.
- Straining the cucumber after it is grated helps the dip become less watery when it is processed. However, if you forget to strain the cucumber, add a little more Greek yogurt to thicken the sauce.
georgie says
I’m obsessed with tzatziki! even if it is hard to spell ha ha ha! great looking recipe 🙂
MDesir says
hahahaha yes, I always have to double check when I spell it.
Tessa Simpson says
i LOVE tzatziki sauce! My favorite way to enjoy it is drizzled over a gyro salad! Creamy and wonderful!
MDesir says
Yes! You have hit it right on the nail, Tessa! Thanks for reading.
Krissy Allori says
I had never made homemade tzatziki sauce before. Such a great recipe! We love greek food, so this will be my go to recipe from now on.
MDesir says
Thank you. It is such a great recipe. Please enjoy!
David says
Mmm I love tzatziki flavor, but haven’t tried to make it myself. This looks pretty doable!
MDesir says
Yes, very much so!
Julia says
Every time I hear of tzatziki I imagine sunny Greece and their delicious food! This is such a great sauce!
MDesir says
I love this sauce and how it can be applied to almost anything. Thank you, Julia.
Claudia Lamascolo says
I absolutely love this sauce and never knew what was in it till now so happy to find your recipe and thanks I will make it today!
MDesir says
That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you, Claudia.
Jillian says
I’m always looking for new recipes to help my kiddos enjoy veggies! Thank you for sharing!
MDesir says
I hope they like it! Thank you, Jillian.