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    Home » European Union » Greece » Easy Tzatziki Sauce

    Easy Tzatziki Sauce

    Published on Aug 25, 2021 Modified: Aug 23, 2021 by The Foreign Fork This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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    Whether you’re serving it on gyros, eating it with pita, or enjoying it with veggies, you’ll love this Greek dip! Made with greek yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic, Greek Tzatziki Sauce is light, fresh, and versatile. 

    Bowl of tzatziki sauce sprinkled with dill and surrounded by pita

    “Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!”

    Recipe Origins

    It is likely that Tzatziki Sauce evolved from Tarator, a dish from the Ottoman Empire made with walnuts and vinegar. As the years have gone on, Tarator itself has evolved, now instead being a soup made with yogurt, walnuts, cucumbers, and more. 

    This Easy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe, a dip made of yogurt, cucumbers, dill, and lemon juice, got its roots from the Ottoman Tarator. 

    Tzatziki is now eaten across Greece, usually served with a side of pita or veggies. It’s also common to enjoy the dip on a gyro, with fried zucchini, or with souvlaki! 

    Why Make this Recipe

    hand dipping pita in tzatziki sauce
    1. A Great Dip: I love making quick and easy dip recipes as appetizers! You won’t need to bake or cook this dish at all, just mix it up and serve!
    2. Healthy: Greek yogurt, cucumber, and a few seasonings lead to a light and fresh snack! Serve this with vegetables for a healthy and refreshing snack. 
    3. “Travel” to Greece: Tzatziki Sauce is a staple in Greek cuisine, often being served alongside their meals! If you want to taste Greece from your own kitchen, try making this Easy Tzatziki Sauce at home!

    What Do I Need to Make this Recipe? 

    Ingredients 

    labeled ingredient shot
    1. Yogurt: Use plain, unflavored Greek yogurt (NOT vanilla). 
    2. Cucumber: I used an English cucumber and peeled it before grating. If you like the peel, you can leave it on. 
    3. Dill: I always prefer fresh, chopped dill. If you don’t have fresh dill, you can use dried dill instead. 

    Tools

    1. Vegetable Peeler
    2. Cheese Grater
    3. Medium Bowl 
    4. Spoon

    How to Make this Recipe

    Step 1: Prepare the Cucumber

    grated cucumber next to a cheese grater

    Peel the cucumber, then grate it on the largest setting of a cheese grater. 

    Lay out a piece of paper towel and fold the grated cucumber into the paper towel. 

    Squeeze the paper towel until all excess water comes out of the cucumber

    Step 2: Combine and Serve

    Bowl of ingredients to make tzatziki before being mixed

    Place the grated cucumber in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine.

    Easy Tzatziki Sauce in a mixing bowl

    Serve with pita bread, pita chips, and veggies. Enjoy!

    Expert Tips

    • If necessary, you can use sour cream instead of yogurt for a similar taste, though I would recommend yogurt if possible. 
    • If you don’t like the taste of dill, you can instead add oregano, thyme, or even mint to the dip! 
    • If you don’t want to use/don’t have lemon juice, you can also use white vinegar.

    Recipe FAQs

    What Goes with Tzatziki Sauce? 

    Gyro with easy tzatziki sauce on it and on the side

    This Easy Tzatziki Sauce can be served with almost anything that sounds delicious to you! Some great options would be: 

    • Gyro 
    • Pita
    • Fried Zucchini 
    • Sandwich Spread 
    • Souvlaki 
    • Veggies 
    • Falafel 
    • Dolma
    • And more. 

    How to Store Leftovers

    bowl of sauce surrounded by pita and lemon slices

    If you keep it in an airtight container in  the fridge, homemade tzatziki sauce will last about 3 days or so before the cucumber begins to break down too much to enjoy it. 

    Some websites/recipes will say that you can freeze tzatziki but I do not recommend this. The texture of the dip will be affected by freezing. In my opinion, the dish being so easy to make balances out the need to freeze it. 

    Did you enjoy this Easy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe from Greece? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you: 

    • Afghan Eggplant with Yogurt Sauce
    • Roasted Red Pepper Dip
    • Healthy Veggie Dip
    • Obatzda: German Beer Cheese Spread
    • Hot Artichoke Dip in the Instant Pot

    Easy Tzatziki Sauce

    Whether you’re serving it on gyros, eating it with pita, or enjoying it with veggies, you’ll love this Greek dip! Made with greek yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic, Greek Tzatziki Sauce is light, fresh, and versatile.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, dip
    Cuisine: greek
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 2.5 cups
    Calories: 181kcal
    Author: The Foreign Fork

    Equipment

    • Vegetable Peeler
    • Cheese Grater
    • Medium Bowl
    • Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 1 Cup English Cucumber, peeled and shredded (about 1 large cucumber)
    • 1 ½ cups Greek Yogurt
    • ½ tsp Kosher Salt
    • 2 tsp Garlic, minced
    • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
    • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
    • 1 tbsp Fresh Dill, minced

    Instructions

    • Peel the English cucumber, then grate 1 cup of it on the largest setting of a cheese grater. Lay out a piece of paper towel and fold the grated cucumber into the paper towel. Squeeze the paper towel until all excess water comes out of the cucumber
    • Place the grated cucumber in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients (1 ½ cups Greek yogurt, ½ tsp kosher salt, 2 tsp garlic, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh dill). Stir to combine.
    • Serve with pita bread, pita chips, and veggies. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Recipe copyright The Foreign Fork. For educational or personal use only. 
     
    • Yogurt: Use plain, unflavored Greek yogurt (NOT vanilla). 
    • Cucumber: I used an English cucumber and peeled it before grating. If you like the peel, you can leave it on.
    • Dill: I always prefer fresh, chopped dill. If you don’t have fresh dill, you can use dried dill instead.
    • If necessary, you can use sour cream instead of yogurt for a similar taste, though I would recommend yogurt if possible. 
    • If you don’t like the taste of dill, you can instead add oregano, thyme, or even mint to the dip! 
    • If you don’t want to use/don’t have lemon juice, you can also use white vinegar.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 510mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheForeignFork or tag #TheForeignFork!

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    Hi there! My name is Alexandria. Thanks for stopping by! Spices, ingredients, utensils, techniques… we’ll learn it all, together. Join me for me for struggles and laughs and some crazy concoctions. Learn More...
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