Homemade Tzatziki sauce is flavorful and delicious. This recipe is so easy to make and tastes incredible!
This is the best tzatziki recipe I've ever enjoyed. I've never found anything at the grocery store that even compares. This tasty dip can be used in so many ways. I love to serve it with falafel or on a gyro, but it is often our favorite dip to make for dipping veggies and crackers.
Why this recipe is so great:
This is one of those super simple recipes that not only tastes great, but it's packed with protein and fresh ingredients.
- Simple: Only five wholesome ingredients (well, six if you count salt) come together to create this creamy, satisfying, flavor packed sauce.
- Versatile: Every time I make it, I find different recipes that are only complimented by the addition of tzatziki. Although this is an recipe which people typically think should only go with Greek food, it's a fantastic dip for vegetables or crackers, or spread on sandwiches.
- Healthy: Fresh vegetables and herbs with protein packed Greek yogurt is not only delicious but it's quite satisfying.
Ingredients needed:
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.
- Cucumber - I prefer to use a large English cucumber
- Greek yogurt - I used to buy plain full fat yogurt but have switched to nonfat and it is unbelievably creamy and delicious
- Lemon juice - one good sized lemon will due
- Garlic - minced super fine
- Fresh dill - there's simply nothing better
- Salt - needed to balance out the tart from the lemon and yogurt
How to make Tzatziki sauce:
Full ingredient list and detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.
- Prepare the cucumber. Cut the ends off, slice it in half lengthwise, and scoop the seeds out. Grate the entire cucumber (I find the food processor is easy) and then toss it with the salt.
- Remove excess moisture. You'll set this mixture in a strainer for about 15 minutes to allow some of the moisture to escape. Before adding the cucumber to the remaining ingredients, you'll squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
- Mix! The final step is simply to mix all of the ingredients together and you're done! Of course, give it a taste and add more of anything that it needs.
remove seeds grate cucumber toss with salt allow to drain combine ingredients mix well
What to serve it with:
The recipe people generally think of when they see tzatziki is falafel or a gyro. I mean, when you dine at a Greek or Mediterranean restaurant, you're pretty much guaranteed to enjoy this sauce.
But Tzatziki sauce is incredibly versatile. The consistency is more similar to a dip, in my opinion. I've used tzatziki sauce with:
- All kinds of meat including beef, lamb, pork, chicken and seafood. It is seriously fantastic when served with any of these.
- Chips, vegetable sticks, and warm pita bread. It makes a great dip that is much healthier than so many other options out there.
- Baked potato topping. Skip the sour cream and replace it with tzatiki for extra protein.
- On top of burgers and sandwiches. This is where that garlic punch really stands out.
Storage recommendations:
Because there is so much cucumber in this recipe, it shortens the shelf life when compared to plain Greek yogurt. Any kind of vegetable will naturally release moisture over time, so I think this dip is best when consumed immediately or within the first few days.
Tzatziki will last longer than that, but you'll have to give it a good stir before enjoying and the consistency will likely change.
If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!
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Tzatziki
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 to 2 teaspoons kosher salt (start with one and add more to taste)
- 2 cups Plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (minced)
Instructions
- Prepare cucumber: Cut the ends off the cucumber. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Grate remaining cucumber and toss with salt in bowl. Set salted grated cucumber in strainer over bowl or in sink and let stand for at least 15 minutes. Squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible and discard liquid. Ideally you want about 1 cup of grated cucumber for the Tzatziki.
- Mix sauce: Combine drained grated cucumber with remaining ingredients in large bowl. Mix to combine, taste, and add additional salt, lemon juice, or dill, if desired.
Notes
NUTRITION INFORMATION
This recipe was originally published in September 2019 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don't worry - the recipe hasn't changed!
JE
I nearly ate this straight out of the bowl, it is that delicious. I begrudgingly shared it with my family, a little, before I consumed the rest.
Mike
Farrrr too much salt.
Start with 1/2 tsp and work up from there if you prefer more.
I may need to toss mine and start over unfortunately.
The rest of the recipe is great.
Rachel Hubach
I have made this twice now and both times it has turned out amazing! It is definitely better if you have fresh dill, but still good even with dried.
Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Lily
Hi! Just wondering how many cup this recipe makes? Thank you!
Krissy
2 1/2 - 3 cups depending on the size of your cucumber
Barb
Help!!! I live in a cold climate state and I do not think I have ever but once saw fresh dill in any market. Does the dried change the taste?
TIA
Krissy
Dried does change the taste, but it still works. Just reduce the amount. For every 1 T fresh, use 1 tsp dried.
Bonnie
OMG I don't have to buy this at the store anymore! I followed the recipe exactly and it came out perfectly. So easy!
Amy
Pretty good receipe but HIGHLY recommend only 1 tablespoon of lemon juice( & I love lemons) plus, double the amount of cucumber. Also, wringing shredded cucumbers out in cheese cloth after sprinking with salt will give the sauce a beautiful consistency. These small changes make it taste better than any restaurant can offer.
Terri
This recipe is simple and good. I’m not like the others, I like the amount of Kosher salt and the lemon. I had my own home grown cucumber and fresh dill and I added a little extra fresh minced garlic.
We make a lot of fish here in Alaska and it will go well with that.
I will make Gyros too!
Lynn Phares Smith
Totally have become addicted to Tzatziki sauce and Hummus. Love this version. I added lime juice because my lime was needing to be used. Delicious.
Kelley
I did use kosher salt and found it still too salty for my taste but, delicious anyway and would make it again and just use less salt.
Cass Geiger
Those who complained about the amount of salt may be using table salt instead of Kosher Salt. Table salt is twice as salty as kosher salt because it is ground finer, so that more of it fits into a measuring unit. If using table salt, cut the amount in half.
Michelle
I have made this every week since March, I love it! I make exactly as recipe states and it's beyond perfection!
Ei
I saw the recipe included 2 tsp of salt but thought it was too much so only added about 1tsp. Even at half the recipe amount, it's way too salty. I then doubled the other ingredients after tasting it, but it's still salty.
Mike
Is the cucumber peeled?
Krissy
Totally a matter of preference. A lot of times I'll remove half the peel just to keep some on but not have it be overpowering.
Heidi
Amazing!!! And so easy, I whip it up at least once a week!!
ASL
Delicious. And so easy. Thank you!,
Laila
Way too much salt. Adding lemon did not help with the too saltiness of this sauce. I added twice the amount of greek yogurt and a tablespoon of sugar and it was still far too salty. I would recommend adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Krissy
Salt is definitely a matter of preference, for sure. This is definitely the kind of recipe where you can start by adding less salt than the recipe calls for if your taste buds are sensitive to salt and then gradually add more until it tastes perfect. Sorry you thought it was too salty!
Ann
Easy and the best! Delicious! My dinner guests loved it!
Eden
I always order this when we eat Greek food and decided to try and make it myself. It turned out SO good and taste fresh. Love how easy it was to make too.
Trang
Love! Tzatziki sauce is seriously great with everything.
Jean
Simple, easy and delishous!
Jessica
I could drink this stuff I love it so much!
Kata
I loved the recipe however I would suggest putting less salt.
Ashley F
This is a staple in our house! So easy to make and so delicious!
Aimee Shugarman
I could eat this with a spoon. So good!