Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

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Homemade tzatziki sauce with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and fresh dill is a simple dip or sauce for veggies, bread, and meats.

What Is Tzatziki?

Tzatziki, pronounced tuh-zee-kee, is a traditional cucumber sauce or dip made from Greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh dill. It’s creamy, tangy, and refreshing, often served as a sauce for meats or vegetables or as a flavorful spread for sandwiches and bread. Tzatziki is a staple yogurt sauce for Mediterranean cuisine and is loved for its light, fresh taste, and versatility in various dishes.

Why You’ll Love Homemade Tzatziki

• Refreshing: Cucumbers, yogurt, and dill make this sauce cool and creamy with a bright, tangy flavor.
• Versatile: Use it as a dip, spread, or sauce for meats, vegetables, and bread.
• Quick to Make: It's ready in 10 minutes, with no cooking required.
• Nutrient-rich: This low-calorie, protein-rich sauce contains natural probiotics, calcium, and beneficial fat.

Tzatziki Ingredients

• Cucumber – Provides a refreshing, crunchy texture to the tangy yogurt sauce, plus they're readily available year-round.
• Greek yogurt – This is the creamy base of the dip that gives it a thick texture and tangy flavor.
• Extra virgin olive oil – Adds rich flavor and texture. Helps thin the tzatziki sauce to your desired consistency.
• Lemon – Citrus is an essential ingredient when making tzatziki. The zest and juice give the sauce a bright, citrusy flavor.
• Garlic – Finely grated fresh garlic adds the perfect kick to your tangy yogurt sauce.
• Fresh dill – Brings fresh, herbal flavor to the cucumber and yogurt combination.
• Salt – Enhances and ties all the other flavors together.
• Pepper – Use ground black pepper, or for a spicer flavor, use white pepper in small amounts.

How to Make Tzatziki

1. Grate the cucumber with a coarse grater.
2. Squeeze it with a flour sack towel or paper towels to remove excess liquid.
3. Combine all tzatziki ingredients in a mixing bowl.
4. If the sauce is too thick, add small amounts of olive oil to thin it out.
5. Taste and adjust the other ingredients if needed.
6. Serve chilled, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Draining cucumber: Squeeze out as much water from the cucumber as possible to keep the tzatziki sauce from becoming watery.
• Yogurt consistency: Use Greek yogurt to ensure a thicker texture, as regular yogurt can become runny, especially with the moisture from the cucumbers.
• Adjust the flavor: Once the tzatziki sauce is mixed, adjust the flavor by adding more lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, or pepper.
• Serving Temperature: Tzatziki tastes best when served chilled, so make it ahead and refrigerate it for a few hours before serving.
• Storing leftovers: It's normal for tzatziki sauce to separate in cold storage. If this happens, stir it before serving.

Serving ideas

• Serve with warm pita bread for a classic pairing.
• Use as a sauce for Greek chicken or lamb.
• Spread on a sandwich or wrap for added flavor.
• Use as a dipping sauce for air fryer cod fillets.
• Serve as a dip with fresh vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and celery.
• Add a dollop on top of a baked potato for a tangy twist.

More Mediterranean Recipes

• Arugula Pesto
• Greek Chickpea Salad
• Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Chicken Pesto Pasta
• Authentic Hummus Recipe
• Greek Eggplant Dip

📖 Recipe

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