This easy tzatziki recipe is a healthy dip that works as a spread too. It's made with cucumbers and greek yogurt. Tastes great with chicken, lamb, beef, burgers, wraps, or as a vegetarian snack with pita chips. Ready in 15 minutes!
Why you should make it
It's easy to make. Just follow a few steps and you'll have a versatile sauce, spread or dip to serve along side your favorite sandwich or chips.
It's made with easy to find fresh and panty staples. This is one of the easiest recipes on the site and is made with simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, cucumbers, and lemon, olive oil, garlic, and dill.
Mediterranean flavor with very little effort. I love Mediterranean inspired dishes for their simplicity and health benefits. Have you ever tried tzatziki? Once I did, I was hooked on this cool, cucumber sauce. It's cool and creamy with subtle heat from the garlic.
Step by step instructions
Gather your ingredients- full fat Greek yogurt, fresh dill, one lemon, an English cucumber, and some garlic.
Shred the cucumber with a cheese greater. If using a box grater, use the side with large holes. Squeeze excess moisture from cucumber using your hands or press through a fine mesh strainer. Discard liquid. I like to place the cucumber in the strainer with a bowl underneath while I prep the other ingredients. Some liquid will continue to be released.
Add Greek yogurt, olive oil, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, garlic, and cucumber to bowl. Stir until combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Drizzle with olive oil, if desired. Easy and simple!
Recipe notes and tips
What are the best cucumbers for tzatziki? English cucumbers are the easiest to use in this tzatziki recipe. They don't have to be peeled or seeded. If you choose to use garden cucumbers, peel them and remove seeds before preparing. Keep in mind that English cucumbers are more mild in flavor.
Grate cucumbers with a cheese grater. If using a box grater, use the side with the large holes. You may choose to finely dice the cucumbers instead of shredding it. It's a matter of texture and personal preference.
What is the best yogurt for tzatziki? Full fat, Greek yogurt is the best. Low fat and fat free will also work, because of the creaminess of those varieties. However, non strained yogurt is not recommended. They lack the thickness and creaminess needed for tzatziki.
How long can you store homemade tzatziki? You should keep homemade tzatziki tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
What goes with tzatziki? This recipe is quite versatile and can be served in many ways. Try it as a spread on gyros, burgers and sandwiches. Delicious as a dip with roasted or raw veggies, or on a charcuterie board with cheeses, meats, olives, dried fruit, and pita crackers.
Try these other Mediterranean inspired dishes
Mediterranean Breakfast Egg Cups
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Easy Tzatziki Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber English or garden; about 1 cup
- 1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt I use 5% fat, substitute with low fat if desired
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus some to drizzle
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or mint
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove finely diced, pressed, or grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Grate cucumber with a cheese grater (large holes if using a box grater). Squeeze excess moisture from cucumber with your hands or press through a fine mesh strainer. Discard liquid.
- Combine cucumber, yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, garlic, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir until well mixed.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Adjust herbs, lemon, garlic, and salt as desired. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Drain excess water that may have accumulated on top and stir well before serving.
Notes
- What are the best cucumbers for tzatziki? English cucumbers are the easiest to use in this tzatziki recipe. They don't have to be peeled or seeded. If you choose to use garden cucumbers, peel them and remove seeds before preparing. Keep in mind that English cucumbers are more mild in flavor.
- Grate cucumbers with a cheese grater. If using a box grater, use the side with the large holes. You may choose to finely dice the cucumbers instead of shredding it. It's a matter of texture and personal preference.
- What is the best yogurt for tzatziki? Full fat, Greek yogurt is the best. Low fat and fat free will also work, because of the creaminess of those varieties. However, non strained yogurt is not recommended. They lack the thickness and creaminess needed for tzatziki.
- How long can you store homemade tzatziki? You should keep homemade tzatziki tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- What goes with tzatziki? This recipe is quite versatile and can be served in many ways. Try it as a spread on gyros, burgers and sandwiches. Delicious as a dip with roasted or raw veggies, or on a charcuterie board with cheeses, meats, olives, dried fruit, and pita crackers.
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