The sauce of all sauces!! Just kidding, but not really. Y’all know I love sauces. I usually make my sauce creations on the spot, but there are a few well-known ones that are staples in our house. And this tzatziki sauce recipe is one of them!
It’s thick and creamy, has a nice tang from the yogurt, and goes with so many things – veggies, bread/pita, grilled meats, meatballs, and just by the spoonful if you love it as much as me.
As much as I love getting it at restaurants, tzatziki sauce is really simple to make at home. And you know exactly what is going into it. Some of the brands at the store have added preservatives or fillers which aren’t necessary. You only need a few household staple ingredients to make it at home.
Why we love this homemade tzatziki sauce recipe
- only 6 simple ingredients!
- easy to make – all you need to do is add everything to a bowl or jar and mix it up.
- can be made ahead of time and is great for meal prep
- super versatile
What is tzatziki sauce?
Tzatziki, pronounced tsah-see-key, is a sauce found in the cuisines of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Southeast Europe. It is traditionally made of yogurt mixed with cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and herbs. Tzatziki is usually served at Greek restaurants with grilled meats, on a gyro, or as a dip with pita or veggies.
Each country has a different way of making it, but today we are focusing on Greek tzatziki sauce.
What does tzatziki taste like?
Tzatziki is a light and fresh greek yogurt sauce that is creamy, slightly tangy, and has a little bit of crunch.
Is tzatziki healthy?
Tzatziki sauce is a great healthy addition to any diet. Made from fresh and simple ingredients, two tablespoons are just 40 calories while also having 3 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, and containing calcium and probiotics. It makes a great condiment, dip, or sauce to use.
Tzatziki sauce recipe ingredients
- Greek yogurt – I like using full-fat
- cucumber
- garlic
- extra virgin olive oil
- lemon juice
- fresh dill
- salt and pepper
How to make tzatziki sauce
- Deseed your cucumber. Cut it lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. This will help remove some of the excess moisture and water and keep your tzatziki thick and creamy. Then finely dice it. You can choose to peel or leave the skin on (I keep it on to make it easier).
- Make tzatziki sauce. Add all the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy!
Should I grate my cucumber?
Some recipes call for grated cucumber so you can squeeze as much liquid out as possible. I find that deseeding it helps get the liquid out enough to keep your tzatziki creamy and not watery. If you want to grate the cucumber, feel free to use a box grater.
Make it dairy-free and vegan
Traditional tzatziki is made with yogurt and it gives it that signature tangy taste. Greek yogurt is my preferred way of making it, but if you can’t have dairy, you can substitute coconut yogurt (my favorite is Culina) or a non-dairy greek yogurt. Since coconut yogurt can be sweeter, I would suggest adding more lemon or even a splash of vinegar to help balance it out.
If you are dairy free and can’t find a yogurt you like, the cream from the top of a can of full-fat coconut milk works as well. Make sure to add some more acid as well. Coconut milk will harden in the fridge, so if using it, you will need to let it come to room temperature before enjoying it.
What to eat with tzatziki sauce?
- use it as a dip with pita bread, pita chips, or vegetables
- on top of grilled meats
- in greek chicken bowls
- as a dip with falafel
- as a dressing for salads
- with greek lamb meatballs or greek chicken meatballs
- as a spread for sandwiches, burgers, or gyros
- as a sauce with some protein, veggies, and carbs for an easy meal
Storage
- fridge – store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I love these weck jars to keep it fresh. I find the flavor is even better after sitting for a day!
- freezer – while you can freeze tzatziki, I would not recommend it as the texture and consistency will change.
Substitutions and additions
- Greek yogurt – I recommend full-fat Greek yogurt as it has a great flavor. If needed you can substitute a dairy-free yogurt. See the section above for reference.
- cucumber – a regular or an english cucumber will work.
- garlic – you can use garlic powder instead of fresh. Use 1 teaspoon.
- fresh dill – you can use dried dill, but I find the flavor is not the same. Use 2 teaspoons if doing so.
And here are some additions if you want to change it up:
- feta cheese – this will add a nice tang and give you creamy feta sauce
- fresh herbs – fresh parsley and fresh mint are great additions.
- red wine vinegar – some like to add this for more kick. I would only add a small amount if doing so.
More healthy sauce recipes
- peanut sauce
- spicy red pepper sauce
- creamy lemon garlic sauce
- burger sauce
- greek yogurt blue cheese dressing
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt – I like to use full fat (8 ounces – greek or dairy free)
- 1/2 heaping cup deseeded and diced cucumber (80 grams)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, roughed chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
- Deseed your cucumber. Cut it lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. This will help remove some of the excess moisture and water and keep your tzatziki thick and creamy. Then finely dice it. You can choose to peel or leave the skin on (I keep it on to make it easier).
- Make tzatziki sauce. Add all the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy!
Heather G says
Fantastic! Paired this with a greek salad and your Easy Greek Chicken Meatballs for a delicious meal prepped week of lunches!
Kelly says
Yay, so glad you liked it! The meal sounds wonderful!
Sophie says
I made this with the Lamb Greek Meatballs and was so easy and so good! I didn’t realize how easy making homemade tzatziki was – and in my opinion, the more the better! So so delicious!
Kelly says
Yes!! I’m with you on the more the better haha! Glad you enjoyed Sophie!
Brittany says
Super easy, great flavor and great slathered on all the things! I upped the lemon flavor by adding in the zest too! Will for sure be making again.
Kelly says
Oh I love the lemon zest addition! Thanks for trying it Brittany!
Nancy says
Have made this several times since being in Greece last year! Love it! And very easy!!
Kelly says
So glad you liked it Nancy! Jealous of your trip to Greece – it’s on my bucket list!
Jen says
Super easy and filling because of the yogurt. Totally can get this with veggie, chips, or a bunch of other stuff.
Kelly says
Yes, those are my favorite things to dip! Glad you enjoyed Jen!
Dan says
Love it
Kelly says
The best sauce!
Avee D Dulay says
Awesome recipe! Made it for my meal prep this week.
Kelly says
Yay, glad you enjoyed it Avee! Thanks for trying 🙂
Laura says
I made this with a 5oz container of Coyo yogurt and it was great! I took it to a party and other people who don’t follow any sort of Paleo, Whole30 diet etc were fans. As a lover of Greek food I was shocked how authentic this tasted.
Kelly says
Love when no one else has any idea it’s dairy free! I’m a lover of Greek food too so I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for trying Laura!