We will admit that for far too long, we bought pre-made tzatziki sauce. It was relatively inexpensive, and we found a brand we loved. In reality, we just didn’t want to take a little time to make it fresh. And the brand we thought was delicious is nothing in comparison to our homemade Tzatziki sauce. Made with Greek yogurt, it’s light, refreshing, and perfect on our mini burgers or as a dip with charcuterie skewers. Just like our avocado ranch dressing and avocado cilantro lime dressing, once you make it from scratch, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This recipe is easy, only requires 7 ingredients, and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.
The complete ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- English Cucumber (or Seedless Cucumber): These have smaller seeds and thinner skin. Since their skins are thinner, we don’t take the extra step of peeling the cucumbers, but that is a personal preference.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: We prefer to use full-fat yogurt. The extra fat adds to the creaminess and richness, but you can substitute it for a lower-fat yogurt.
- Dill: Fresh is always better, but can be replaced with dried dill if that is all you have available. Also, if you are not a fan of dill, you can replace it with mint.
- Garlic: One clove is all you need. Since this recipe uses raw garlic, you will want to make sure that it is finely minced.
- Lemon Juice: There is only a small amount, but it adds brightness, so don’t skip it. Use fresh and not concentrated.
Note on substitutions: Substituting dried dill for fresh dill and garlic powder for fresh garlic will alter the overall freshness. If you substitute dried dill for fresh, approximately 1 teaspoon of dried dill is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh dill. About 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder is equivalent to 2 cloves of pressed or minced garlic.
What to Serve with Tzatziki Sauce?
There are countless ways to enjoy tzatziki sauce.
- Fresh or Roasted Veggies
- Pita Chips or Crackers
- Grilled Meat and Fish
- As a topping for Sandwiches, Burgers, Gyros, or Wraps
How to Make Tzatziki Sauce with Greek Yogurt
Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.
Pro-tip: This is a quick and easy recipe, so making it fresh is the best way to enjoy it. Get rid of excess cucumber juice so that your tzatziki sauce isn’t watery the next day.
1. Prepare the Cucumber. If desired, peel the cucumber, then shred the cucumber using the larger holes on a box shredder or grater. Place the shredded cucumber in a strainer over a bowl, then sprinkle it with a pinch of salt to drain excess water. Give it a gentle stir, then set aside while you prep the remaining ingredients.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine shredded cucumber and Greek yogurt, then gently stir. Add the minced garlic, lemon juice, freshly chopped dill, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
3. Refrigerate and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for an hour to allow all the flavors to meld together. Serve as a topping on your favorite Gyro or Wrap, or a dip for veggies and pita chips.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Make sure the grated cucumber is well-drained. If possible, allow them to sit with the salt for at least 30 minutes.
- Let the tzatziki sauce sit in the refrigerator for an hour to allow the flavors to meld and the garlic to lose some of its bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Dressing and Sauce Recipes to Try
Looking for more dressing and sauce recipes? Try these other favorites:
- Creamy Cilantro Avocado Dressing – Quick and easy and the perfect topping for tacos, salads, or as a dip for chips or veggies.
- Homemade Caesar Dressing with Anchovies – Using golden egg yolks and anchovies, this restaurant-style dressing recipe is perfect for your next salad.
- Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing – Ready in minutes, this versatile recipe can be enjoyed as a taco topping, salad dressing, or veggie dip.
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Tzatziki Sauce Made with Greek Yogurt
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Equipment
- Box Grater
- Medium Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 seedless cucumber
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Peel cucumber, if desired, then using the larger holes on a box shredder or grater, shred the cucumber. Place the shredded cucumber in a strainer placed over a bowl and sprinkle a pinch of salt. Stir the grated cucumber gently and set aside along them to release their juice while you prep the remaining ingredients.
- In a medium bowl, combine shredded cucumber and Greek yogurt then gently stir. Add the minced garlic, lemon juice, freshly chopped dill, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
- Cover and then refrigerate for an hour to allow all the flavors to meld together. Serve as a topping on your favorite Gyro or Wrap or as a dip for veggies and pita chips.
