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This Easy Tzatziki Sauce makes a great dip or sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, lemon, garlic and herbs. This fresh sauce goes well with grilled meats, shawarma, kofte, pita or veggies.
What is Tzatziki Sauce?
Tzatziki (pronounced tuh·ZEE·kee) Sauce, also known as also known as cacık (pronounced Ja-jik) or tarator, is a cool and creamy yogurt sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, herbs and lemon. Although in the U.S. most people know Tzatziki as a Greek dish, it is popular all over Southern Europe and the Middle East. Greek Tzatziki is a thicker dip, while Turkish Cacik and Bulgarian Tarator is eaten more like a cold soup.
What is Tzatziki Made of?
Tzatziki is a savory yogurt dip made with:
- Greek Yogurt (I prefer full fat yogurt)
- Cucumber – use a simple box grater to grate it.
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- fresh herbs such as mint and dill
- garlic – I use a garlic press for super fine garlic that blends well
- salt
How do you make tzatziki sauce?
- Use a box grater to grate the cucumber. You don’t have to peel the cucumber first.
- Drain the cucumber. This removes excess liquid that would make your dip watery! Place grated cucumber in a strainer lined with a towel, allow to drain for about 20 minutes. Then use the towel to wring the cucumber out, removing as much liquid as possible.
- Add cucumber to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix. Serve right away, or store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Tzatziki will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
What do you eat tzatziki dip with?
Tzatziki can be served with so many things! Try it on my Mediterranean Lamb Bowls, with Lamb Kofte or Greek Chicken! Or just serve it with some fluffy pita and veggies as a dip.
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Tzatziki Sauce Recipes
Ingredients
- ½ cup grated cucumber cucumber doesn't need to be peeled
- 1 cup Greek yogurt full fat preferred
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove grated or use a garlic press
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill optional
Instructions
- Use a box grater to grate the cucumber. You don’t have to peel the cucumber first.
- Drain the cucumber. This removes excess liquid that would make your dip watery. Place grated cucumber in a strainer lined with a towel, allow to drain for about 20 minutes. Then use the towel to wring the cucumber out, removing as much liquid as possible.
- Add cucumber to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix. Serve right away, or store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Tzatziki will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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