🥒 Tzatziki / Cucumber Yogurt Dip (Mediterranean Yogurt Sauce)
Creamy, garlicky, refreshing, and perfectly tangy — the classic Mediterranean dip that works with EVERYTHING!
📝 Description
Tzatziki is a traditional Mediterranean yogurt dip made with thick yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. It’s creamy, cooling, and full of bright flavors. This dip is perfect as a side with grilled meats, gyros, kebabs, shawarma, pita, falafel, or even as a healthy dressing for bowls and salads. It’s naturally nutritious, super refreshing, and incredibly easy to make in just minutes.
🍽️ Full Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (thick, full-fat or low-fat)
- 1 medium cucumber, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (or more if you like it garlicky)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (or white vinegar)
- 1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1–2 tbsp grated cucumber liquid if you prefer a thinner dip
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Cucumber
Grate the cucumber using the coarse side of a grater.
Place it in a clean towel or sieve and squeeze out as much water as possible — this ensures your tzatziki stays thick and creamy.
2. Mix the Base
In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.
3. Add the Cucumber
Fold the squeezed cucumber into the yogurt mixture.
4. Add Herbs
Mix in chopped dill or mint. Adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Chill & Serve
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors develop.
Drizzle with olive oil before serving.
🥄 Notes
- Removing water from the cucumber is the key to a thick dip.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest texture.
- Replace dill with mint for a fresh twist.
- Add extra lemon juice if you like more tang.
- Letting it rest in the fridge improves the flavor dramatically.
💡 Tips
- Add a pinch of black pepper or smoked paprika for extra depth.
- For a more Middle Eastern flavor, add ½ tsp dried mint.
- If the yogurt is too thick, thin with 1–2 tbsp cold water or grated cucumber liquid.
- For meal-prep, store without herbs and mix herbs before serving to keep them fresh.
🍽️ Servings
Serves 4–6 as a dip
Serves 2–3 as a sauce
🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, Approx.)
- Calories: 40–60 kcal
- Protein: 3–4 g
- Carbs: 2–3 g
- Fat: 2–3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Sugar: 1–2 g
🌟 Benefits
- High in protein (thanks to Greek yogurt)
- Naturally low-calorie and low-carb
- Hydrating from fresh cucumber
- Supports digestion with probiotics
- Very versatile — sauce, dip, spread, or dressing
- Ready in under 10 minutes
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes, but strain it for 1–2 hours to remove excess water.
Q: How long does tzatziki last?
It stays fresh 3–4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Q: Can I make it without garlic?
Yes — it becomes a refreshing cucumber herb yogurt sauce.
Q: Can I freeze tzatziki?
Not recommended — yogurt separates once frozen and thawed.
Q: What can I serve it with?
Grilled meats, shawarma, gyros, falafel, pita, sandwiches, bowls, salads, or as a veggie dip.