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We will admit that for far too long we bought pre-made tzatziki sauce. It was relatively inexpensive and we found a brand that we loved. In reality, we just didn’t want to take a little amount of time to make it fresh. And the brand we thought was delicious is nothing in comparison to our own homemade tzatziki sauce. Tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt is light, refreshing, and is the perfect topping or dip for so many things. It is the perfect addition to your recipe box.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This recipe is easy, only requires 7 ingredients, and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.
The full ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- English Cucumber (or Seedless Cucumber): They 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 with it 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 of lemon juice but it adds brightness so don’t skip it. Use fresh and not concentrate.
- Salt and Pepper: There is a small amount of salt and pepper but add more to suit your taste.
Note on substitutions: Substituting dried dill for fresh dill and garlic powder for fresh garlic will alter the overall freshness. If you do substitute dried dill for fresh dill, 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 with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
This post may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.
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. 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 it with a pinch of salt which will help remove all the 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 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.
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 for an hour in the refrigerator to allow all the flavors to meld together and the garlic to loose some of its bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is likely that enough water wasn’t “squeezed” out of the grated cucumbers. You can add a little more yogurt to help thicken it up.
Yes, but it will lack some of the freshness. You can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried dill for every 1 tablespoon of fresh dill.
Yes. We prefer the full-fat yogurt for the creaminess but you can definitely substitute a lower-fat yogurt.
Leftover tzatziki sauce can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. If it gets a little watery add a little bit of yogurt.
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.
Let’s Connect! If you make this recipe or any other recipe on Casual Epicure, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are considering making our recipes and we love hearing about your cooking experiences. And if you snapped some shots, share them on Instagram, and be sure to tag @casual.epicure so we can feature them in our stories.
Tzatziki Sauce Made with Greek Yogurt
This recipe may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.
Equipment
- Box Grater
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.