Easy Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
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In as little as 5 minutes, you can whip up a homemade tzatziki sauce. You’ll need just 7 simple ingredients to make this creamy dip recipe – Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh dill, English cucumber, and a sprinkle of sea salt and black pepper to taste.
I love the fresh flavors of this creamy cucumber yogurt dip. While it’s traditionally served with Mediterranean food (gyros, anyone?!), it pairs well with so many other dishes. Like these flavorful Greek burgers with feta cheese.
And it’s a great choice for a veggie dip or use it as a condiment for your sandwiches and wraps. I even love using it as a chip dip with pita chips.
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We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
Trust me – you’ll want to keep a jar of this easy tzatziki sauce recipe in the fridge for snacking or pairing with meals. And if you love Mediterranean flavors, be sure to check out my easy Greek yogurt dressing or this copycat Greek salad from Panera Bread.
I’m a fan of making my sauces and condiments at home. They’re so easy to prepare, flavorful, and you can control the ingredients used. Check out how to make Taco Bell Baja Sauce or even a homemade Big Mac sauce. Or, for another fun dip recipe, try this whipped feta dip, which is great for dipping fresh vegetables.
What is Tzatziki Sauce?
A popular Greek condiment, this thick and creamy sauce is often used to top homemade gyros. It’s light, vibrant, and full of fresh cucumber and dill flavors that brighten the dish. Whether you use chopped or grated cucumber, the fresh produce elevates the flavor of this easy recipe.
And this cucumber dip is so easy to make (just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes!). But you’d be missing out if you only used it for gyros. Try pairing it as a dip for fresh veggies or grilled chicken.
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients
- Greek Yogurt: any brand of plain Greek yogurt will work for this recipe.
- Cucumbers: use English or regular cucumbers. I prefer the English ones as they offer a better flavor and typically have fewer seeds.
- Lemon: use fresh lemon juice – it really makes a difference here.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: adds rich flavor and creates a creamy consistency.
- Dill: Fresh or dried dill will work, but use fresh dill for the best flavor.
- Seasonings: Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper add a finishing touch to the creamy Greek yogurt dip.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make This Homemade Tzatziki Recipe
Chop the cucumbers into a small dice. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.
Next you’ll spoon the yogurt into a mixing bowl.
Drain the chopped cucumbers and add to the yogurt, then add the lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt and pepper.
Stir well to combine, and then store the tzatziki yogurt sauce in a sealed container in the fridge until ready to use.
Tips for Making This Easy Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- Using full-fat Greek yogurt is vital for that ultra-thick, creamy texture.
- For best results, sprinkle the chopped cucumbers with salt and let them sit for 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture. This helps to keep the dip from getting too watery. Alternatively, you can shred the cucumbers into cheesecloth or paper towels and squeeze out excess water before adding them to the bowl.
- I use a citrus juicer to make quick work of juicing the lemons.
- Finely chop the fresh herbs so they don’t overpower each bite, and mix well with the yogurt mixture.
- Before serving, make sure to stir the sauce well to incorporate all the ingredients.
Substitutions & Variations for this Easy Cucumber Sauce
- If you prefer, you can use regular plain yogurt instead of the Greek-style yogurt. Keep in mind the texture will be a thinner with this substitution.
- Salted yogurt can be used for a more vibrant, tangy flavor.
- For a more authentic texture, grate the cucumber with a box grater into cheesecloth then squeeze to remove excess moisture.
- You can add in some raw garlic that is finely grated or minced.
- Swap all dairy with dairy-free ingredients to make this a vegan-friendly sauce.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this creamy tzatziki sauce a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Allowing the sauce to sit in the fridge will help meld all the flavors together. If it seems a bit watery, be sure to give it a stir before serving.
What to eat with authentic tzatziki recipe
Serve your homemade cucumber yogurt sauce with Greek chicken, pita bread wedges, a vegetable tray or snacking board, burgers or use as a salad dressing. You might also love topping shawarma or a gyro for a Middle East themed meal.
Can you freeze gyro sauce?
While you technically can freeze this creamy yogurt dip, I don’t recommend it because the texture gets grainy and the flavors aren’t as bright and fresh.
How to store leftover tzatziki dip
Store your leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Just give it a good stir before serving.
More Homemade Dressing Recipes
Creamy Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- juice of half a lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon fresh dill, (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt, + extra for cucumbers
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Dice the cucumber, sprinkle with a little salt and set aside for 5 minutes.
- Spoon the yogurt into a mixing bowl.
- Drain the excess liquid from the cucumbers before adding them to the yogurt.
- Add the lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Notes
- For best results, use whole milk Greek yogurt. You can use plain non-Greek yogurt if preferred but note that the consistency will be less thick with this substitution.
- For a more authentic-style tzatziki, shred the cucumber. Squeeze as much moisture as possible out of the cucumber before adding it to the yogurt. Cheesecloth works great for this step.
- If using fresh dill, chop as finely as possible.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Stir to reincorporate the liquid before serving.
- Serve with pita wedges, sliced fresh veggies such as cucumbers, grape tomatoes, or sweet peppers, roasted veggies such as peppers, eggplant, or squash, or add to salads, burgers, shawarma, gyros, and more.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
