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!
Judy Zehr says
Super easy and delicious recipe. Also easy to adjust if you want less or more of any flavor or thick or thinner. I will make this again.
Kelly Nardo says
Glad you enjoyed it, Judy! Thanks for trying it!
Mary Ellen says
This tzatziki sauce was very easy to make and so flavorful. It went perfectly with the greek chicken bowls.
Kelly says
Happy to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for trying it, Mary Ellen!
Matt Freund says
This looks really good
Kelly says
Thanks Matt, hope you enjoy!