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Tzatziki Sauce

August 7, 2024

Luxurious, bright and refreshing, tzatziki is a classic Greek yogurt sauce (or dip) that’s surprisingly easy to make at home from everyday ingredients.

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a bowl of tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper & za'atar

An Easy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Tangy, cool yogurt sauces make the perfect foil in many cultures for heavy or meaty dishes. Mediterranean cultures inspire us to spoon light, cooling Greek tzatziki sauce over gyros and grilled lamb, or spread savory Whipped Feta Dip all over flatbread. Indian cuisine offers up Raita for similar purposes — to cool and compliment hearty curries and rice dishes. There’s tahini sauce for a dairy-free version of a flavorful creamy sauce. Whatever you’re planning to eat it with, our speedy, easy tzatziki recipe is ready to be your new go-to. For a delicious vegan dip, try our Muhammara recipe.

Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper &  za'atar in prep bowls to make tzatziki sauce

What Is Tzatiki?

Many Mediterranean countries have some sort of cucumber-and-yogurt sauce in their cuisine, and tzatziki sauce is one of the most common iterations. Perfect for serving along with all of your favorite vegetables for dipping, tzatziki (​​pronounced tsah-see-key) is the most classic of all Greek dipping sauces. Cooling and creamy, tzatziki is all about a refreshing combination of grated (yes, grated!) cucumber and tangy yogurt, plus (of course) plenty of garlic. Traditionally, you would begin making Greek tzatziki by straining yogurt, but we’re taking a little short cut and using thick Greek yogurt as our base, which is already strained (that’s why it’s thick!) and ready to go.

Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper &  za'atar in a bowl to make tzatziki sauce
Tzatziki Sauce in a bowl made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper & za'atar

Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients

  • Greek yogurt

  • Cucumber

  • Dried dill

  • Garlic

  • Lemon

  • Salt & pepper

  • Za’atar (Za’atar is a delicious Middle Eastern spice blend that typically features za’atar leaves, sumac, sesame and has a really unique tangy-earthy-herbal character. Use it if you have it, and if you like it.)

a bowl of tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper & za'atar

How To Make Tzatziki Sauce

  1. Start at least an hour before you want to eat! Tzatziki needs to sit in the fridge for about an hour so that the fresh garlic can work its magic on the cucumber and yogurt base, so start early.

  2. Prep, prep, prep. Homemade tzatziki is all in the prep. You’ll use a box grater to grate a cucumber (honestly pretty fun way to spend a few minutes, or a great task to outsource to an eager kid!) then…

  3. Mince up the garlic with your super-sharp knife.

  4. Juice your lemon. You could use a fancy citrus juicer if you’ve got one, but we love a manual one (the kind you use for cocktails).

  5. Stir all of the ingredients together, and let the dip sit in the fridge until you’re ready to dig in.

  6. Serve it up! Serve tzatziki as a dip with a fresh vegetable platter for a simple, healthy appetizer, or go truly classic and serve it with Greek Chicken Gyros — tzatziki is a must-have if you’re making gyros. You could double up on the cucumber and serve it with Cucumber Salad, or as a refreshing compliment to a Chickpea Salad, too.

a bowl of tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper &  za'atar

How To Store Leftover Tzatziki Sauce + Tips

  • Yes, you can make tzatziki ahead of time! Your homemade tzatziki sauce should stay good for about 4 days in the refrigerator, and you actually need to let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

  • No, you can’t freeze it. Cucumbers and yogurt don’t like the freezer.

  • Don’t substitute anything for the Greek yogurt. It’s OK to use low fat Greek yogurt in a pinch (though full fat will taste better.) We’ve fielded questions in the past about this and unfortunately, no substitutes work here. Cucumbers and yogurt are the heart of tzatziki and really can’t be subbed.
a bowl of tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper &  za'atar

Today, Tzatziki Sauce, Tomorrow The World!

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Tzatziki Sauce

  • Serves:  6
  • Yields:  2 cups
  • Prep Time:  5 min
  • Cook Time:  0 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup grated cucumber
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon dried dill
  • 1 garlic cloves, grated
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Za’atar (optional)

Method

  1. Place the grated cucumber in the center of a clean kitchen towel. Wrap the towel around the grated cucumber and wring out its liquid over the sink.

    Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper &  za'atar in prep bowls to make tzatziki sauce
  2. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, drained cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and Za’atar if using.

    Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper &  za'atar in a bowl to make tzatziki sauce
  3. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using.

    Tzatziki Sauce in a bowl made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper & za'atar

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories 17
  • Protein 2 g
  • Carbohydrates 3 g
  • Total Fat 0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 0 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • sodium 214 mg
  • Total Sugars 1 g

Tzatziki Sauce

Questions & Reviews

Join the discussion below.

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  • Vicki

    Do you peel the cucumber before grating it?

    Nope! no need. hope you enjoy!

  • juliette

    Can tzatziki be made with low fat Greek yogurt if it comes that way.

    Sure!

  • Worden

    Do you have a substitute for the yogurt?

    Tzatziki is a yogurt sauce so no substitution would be a super great replacement. We have never tried making this without yogurt. We've heard of people using vegan cream cheese as the base but since we haven't tried it we couldn't vouch if it's great or not.

  • Sonia

    Can this be made ahead and refrigerated?

    Absolutely, Sonia! Tzatziki sauce should stay good for about 4 days in the refrigerator.

  • Stefanie

    This is a favorite! My spouse and I make this sauce and do a 1/2 batch of zucchini fritters one night and a 1/2 batch of the Mediterranean turkey burgers the next because both pair so well with this. All 3 Modern Proper recipes are 5 stars!

    Thanks so much Stefanie, glad you love all these recipes!

  • Holly

    This tzatziki sauce is SO good! I bought some sumac for it and za'atar and used cashew yogurt (I'm dairy-free) and I tried it as soon as it was mixed up and yum!! I might make this more often!

    Thanks Holly, we are so glad you loved it! Happy to hear it worked with cashew yogurt too!

  • Tracy

    This is soooo yummy! I would note to people to squeeze the cucumber dry with paper towels after shredding so your tzatziki doesn't get too watery. I made a homemade Za'atar which was really easy and it's all spices I had on hand. I've never used Za'atar in my tzatziki, but I will from now on! Really delicious, thank you!

    Thanks Tracy, so glad you loved it!

  • Theresa

    Just wanted to say thank you for the awesome recipe! Delicious! Much appreciated!

  • Abby

    Lovely and the added Za'atar is absolute perfection. I made this with your Kofta receipe, some rice, curried chick peas and a nice Greek salad. A fine meal indeed!

    Glad you loved it Abby! Sounds like a VERY fine meal.