Fresh and flavorful, this easy Tzatziki is so good you’ll want to dip, dunk, and drizzle every meal.

A creamy cucumber yogurt sauce with, garlic, dill, and lemon. This is great with meats, veggies, pita, or even for dipping fries.

top view of a bowl of Tzatziki Sauce

What is Tzatziki

Pronounced “tsah-see-key,” it is traditionally a simple cucumber yogurt sauce. It is popular in Greek cuisine but there are variations found in both Middle Eastern and Southeast European cuisines as well.

  • Tzatziki is a simple sauce or dip made with Greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and dill.
  • The ingredients for this tzatziki recipe seem basic but the flavor is fresh and flavorful adding a bright flavor to any meal.
  • This sauce is best made ahead of time so the flavors can blend. It keeps for days in the refrigerator.
  • Drizzle it over Chicken Souvlaki in wraps, spoon it on pork, chicken, or roasted potatoes.
  • It can also be served as a fresh dip with fresh veggies, chips, or pita bread!

Ingredients

Yogurt is the base of this tzatziki recipe. Greek yogurt makes tzatziki nice and thick but plain yogurt does work too. The flavor is best with full fat (not low fat) yogurt.

A cucumber is shredded using the large side of a box grater. I prefer English cucumber for this recipe so you don’t have to peel or seed it, although you can if you’d like.

If you’re using a field cucumber with larger seeds and thicker skin for this tzatziki recipe, it should be peeled. If the seeds are large, cut in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds out and discard before shredding.

Fresh dill is best if possible but you can use dried dill if it’s all you have, a bit of fresh mint is great in tzatziki too. If using dried dill, reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds the best flavor to this recipe and will have a sweeter taste while bottled lemon juice will be a bit more bitter in flavor.

Season the tzatziki with garlic, salt, and pepper and finish with a drizzle of a good quality olive oil.

shredding cucumber to make Tzatziki Sauce

How to Make Tzatziki

  1. Shred the cucumber with the larger side of a box grater. Gently drain.
  2. Combine all remaining ingredients in a medium bowl.
  3. Fold in the shredded cucumber.

The bright and tangy flavor of tzatziki stands out best when the flavors have had a chance to blend. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

adding ingredients to a bowl for Tzatziki Sauce

Quick Tips

  • Use full fat (not low fat) yogurt for the best flavor. Greek yogurt is thicker than plain yogurt.
  • If using a field cucumber, peel the thick skin with a vegetable peeler, cut it in half and use a spoon to remove the large seeds.
  • English cucumber doesn’t need to be peeled and the seeds can be grated with the cucumber.
  • Lightly drain the cucumber by placing it in a fine mesh sieve or a piece of cheesecloth and gently pressing. You don’t want to squeeze it dry, just remove some moisture.
  • If using dried dill, reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon.
  • Fresh mint or other fresh herbs can be added.

Serve as a Dip, Dressing, or Sauce

This tzatziki recipe isn’t only a dip but a spread and sauce too. It goes well with grilled meats or your favorite Mediterranean inspired recipes.

tzatziki mixed in a bowl

Storing Tzatziki Sauce

Keep fresh Tzatziki for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Tzatziki? This recipe doesn’t keep well in the freezer. The consistency changes and it becomes watery after freezing.

More Greek Inspired Favorites

How did you enjoy this Tzatziki Sauce? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

top view of a bowl of Tzatziki Sauce
4.94 from 44 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Easy Tzatziki Sauce (Yogurt Cucumber Dip)

Greek Tzatziki is bright and tangy & best when served chilled! It’s deliciously fresh and easy to make!
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients  

  • 1 English cucumber
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt or plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon dill fresh, finely chopped
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Shred the cucumber with the larger side of a box grater. Place in a fine mesh strainer and lightly press to drain liquid.
  • Combine ingredients (except cucumber) in a large bowl. Fold in the shredded cucumber. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
  • Allow flavors to blend at least 30 minutes before serving. Drizzle with additional olive oil to serve.

Notes

  • If using an English cucumber, peeling (and seeding) the cucumber is optional.
  • Fresh is best but you can use 1 teaspoon dried dill in place of fresh or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder in place of a fresh garlic clove if it's what you have on hand.
  • Fresh lemon juice is best as store bought can have a bit of a bitter flavor.To quickly juice a lemon, cut it in half and place a fork in the center. Squeeze the lemon around the fork while moving the fork to extract the juice.
  • Tzatziki will last 2 days in the refrigerator.
4.94 from 44 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 65 | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 126mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Dip, Sauce
Cuisine American, Greek

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Comments

  1. I just tried your dip…I made it to surprise my husband, because he’s on a low crab diet…I served it with cucumber chips…he loved it and so did I…I made it out of greek yogurt…I’ll be making it again…thank you…

  2. Haven’t tried any of your recipes, but I am anxious to surprise my family with new ideas for dinner!

  3. I’m thankful for your recipe! Last year I went to Aegina and tried Tzatziki and I loved it. I took note of the name but unfortunately I lost it. I did some research and found your recipe! It seems so simple and I can’t wait to try it!4 stars

  4. Delicious, authentic, and easy to make. My husband said it was better than our local Greek takeout restaurant.5 stars