Tangy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe: Authentic Greek Cucumber Magic

Summers sizzle with the tangy, refreshing notes of tzatziki sauce that instantly cool down any meal.

This classic Greek cucumber sauce brings Mediterranean magic to your plate with its creamy, herb-infused charm.

Packed with crisp cucumber, zesty garlic, and smooth yogurt, tzatziki delivers a burst of flavor that dances across your taste buds.

Greeks have perfected this simple yet sublime condiment that complements everything from grilled meats to fresh vegetables.

Tangy yogurt blends seamlessly with grated cucumber, creating a silky texture that beckons you to dive in.

Drizzle this sauce over gyros, use it as a dip, or spread it on warm pita bread for an instant culinary escape.

Get ready to transport your palate to the sunny shores of Greece with this irresistible sauce.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 90 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Tzatziki Sauce (Greek Cucumber Sauce)

• Cucumber: Provides refreshing crunch and watery base for the sauce, select firm and dark green cucumbers without blemishes for best texture and flavor.
• Garlic: Delivers sharp, aromatic punch that elevates the sauce's depth, choose fresh cloves with smooth, unblemished skin for maximum zestiness.

• Greek Yogurt: Creates thick, tangy backbone of the sauce, opt for full-fat varieties for richer, smoother consistency.

• Olive Oil: Adds silky richness and Mediterranean character, select extra virgin for best quality and authentic taste.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the sauce with citrusy tang, fresh-squeezed provides more vibrant flavor than bottled.
• Dill: Introduces herbaceous, slightly sweet notes, fresh dill delivers more intense flavor than dried.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies overall taste profile, use kosher or sea salt for cleaner seasoning.

Tools to Make Tzatziki Sauce

• Box Grater or Food Processor: Perfect for quickly shredding cucumber into fine, uniform pieces.
• Cheesecloth or Tea Towel: Essential for squeezing out excess moisture from the cucumber.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining all ingredients and mixing thoroughly.
• Cutting Board: Stable surface for chopping garlic and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for mincing garlic and precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add exact amounts of olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
• Airtight Container: Ideal for storing leftover tzatziki sauce in the refrigerator.

Instructions for Greek Tzatziki Sauce

• Cucumber Preparation

Grab a fresh cucumber and use a grater or food processor to break it down into tiny bits. Wrap the shredded cucumber in a clean cloth and squeeze out all the excess water until it feels dry.

• Flavor Fusion

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend the drained cucumber with creamy Greek yogurt. Add finely chopped garlic, a splash of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle of dill, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together until it creates a smooth, harmonious mixture.

• Chilling Time

Cover the bowl and tuck it into the refrigerator. Let the sauce rest and allow all the flavors to dance and mingle for a minimum of two hours or overnight for maximum taste impact.

• Serving Suggestions

Pull out the tzatziki when you’re ready to enjoy. Serve it ice-cold alongside warm pita, crisp vegetables, or juicy gyros. Keep any remaining sauce in a sealed container in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for about five days.

Tzatziki Sauce Tips & Tricks

• Pat the cucumber dry thoroughly to prevent a watery sauce and maintain a thick, creamy consistency.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like mint or parsley to add unique flavor profiles and personalize the tzatziki.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of smoked paprika for an extra kick of heat and depth.
• Grate cucumber using the large holes of a box grater for a more rustic, chunky texture that adds visual interest.
• Prepare tzatziki a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more complex and delicious sauce.

How to Serve Tzatziki Sauce

• Pair with Warm Pita Triangles: Cut pita bread into bite-sized triangles and lightly toast until golden and crispy, creating perfect dipping companions for the cool tzatziki sauce.
• Enhance Grilled Meats: Drizzle tzatziki over freshly grilled chicken souvlaki, lamb kebabs, or beef skewers to add a tangy, refreshing layer of flavor that complements the charred meat.
• Create Mediterranean Veggie Platter: Arrange colorful raw vegetables like cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives around a central bowl of tzatziki for a stunning and healthy appetizer spread.
• Use as Salad Dressing: Thin the tzatziki slightly with extra olive oil or lemon juice to transform it into a creamy, herb-infused salad dressing perfect for Greek-style salads with mixed greens and feta cheese.

Storing Tzatziki Sauce Properly

• Refrigerate and Refresh: Store tzatziki in an airtight container to maintain its crisp, tangy flavor for up to 5 days.
• Drain Excess Moisture: Squeeze out cucumber liquid thoroughly before mixing to prevent watery sauce and ensure a thick, creamy consistency.
• Flavor Boost Technique: Let the sauce rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, allowing garlic and herbs to infuse deeply into the yogurt base.
• Quick Serving Tips: Pull tzatziki from the fridge 10 minutes before serving to soften and enhance its smooth, cool texture perfect for dipping or spreading.

Authentic Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Greek tzatziki sauce combines cool yogurt, crisp cucumbers, and zesty herbs for a refreshing Mediterranean condiment. Creamy and tangy, this classic sauce elevates grilled meats, vegetables, and pita bread, inviting you to savor authentic Greek flavors.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) plain full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 large cucumber (unpeeled)
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsps (15 ml) fresh dill, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsps (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• ¾ tsp (4 g) salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Grate Cucumber: Shred cucumber using a box grater or food processor into fine, delicate strands.
2. Drain Moisture: Place grated cucumber in a cheesecloth or clean tea towel, squeeze firmly to remove excess liquid, creating a concentrated base for the sauce.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, blend drained cucumber with Greek yogurt, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, chopped dill, and kosher salt, whisking until perfectly integrated.
4. Infuse Flavors: Cover the mixture and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a rich, complex taste profile.
5. Serve and Store: Stir the tzatziki before serving, transfer to a dish, and pair with warm pita, fresh vegetables, or grilled meats. Refrigerate remaining sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Drain Cucumber Thoroughly: Squeeze out excess moisture completely to prevent watery sauce and maintain a rich, creamy texture.
• Chill for Flavor Depth: Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight to allow ingredients to meld and enhance overall taste complexity.
• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select crisp cucumber, high-quality Greek yogurt, and fresh herbs for the most authentic and vibrant tzatziki experience.
• Serve Chilled and Fresh: Consume within 5 days for optimal flavor and texture, keeping refrigerated in an airtight container.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 90
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg