Easy Tzatziki Sauce (Yogurt Cucumber Dip)

Fresh and flavorful, this easy Tzatziki recipe is so good you’ll want to drizzle it on everything (or eat it with a spoon).

A fresh creamy mixture of cucumber, garlic, and dill mixed into a yogurt base, this perfect served as a dip or as a sauce

Add it to Chicken Souvlaki in wraps, spoon it on pork or chicken or even simply serve as a dip for fresh veggies or pita bread!

What is Tzatziki

Pronounced “tsah-see-key,” it is traditionally a simple Greek sauce or dip made with regular or Greek yogurt that complements so many foods.

Even though tzatziki is made with seemingly simple ingredients like yogurt and olive oil, the flavors are enhanced with fresh garlic, lemon juice, and crisp cucumber.

This is the best tzatziki recipe because it goes with nearly anything you have on hand, especially meats like beef, chicken, pork, and even fish!

Ingredients & Variations

This delicious dip is so easy to prepare with a handful of ingredients!

• If running low on plain yogurt, you can swap in some sour cream or greek yogurt.
• While fresh is always best when it comes to seasonings for dips, you can use dried dill or garlic powder if it’s what you have on hand.
• Keep in mind that dried spices are stronger than fresh, so start with less dried and increase to taste from there.
• The same goes for lemon juice. There is nothing quite like fresh squeezed lemon juice but you can use store-bought lemon juice as well. Keep the quantities the same, just note that fresh lemon juice will have a sweeter taste while store-bought will be a bit more bitter in flavor.

How to Make Tzatziki

This tzatziki dip is as easy 1, 2, 3!

Peeling (and seeding) the cucumber is optional. I prefer to the texture when peeled.

1. Peel, seed, and shred cucumber with a box grater.
2. Juice lemon and set aside.
3. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, add the cucumber last and mix thoroughly.

Allow the flavors to blend in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. The bright and tangy flavor of tzatziki stands out best when served chilled!

A Dip, a Spread & a Sauce

Since tzatziki is not only a dip but a spread and sauce, it has multiple uses!

• As a dip, try it with vegetable, pita crisps, crackers, zucchini fries, or even greek meatballs.
• As a spread, serve it with Greek gyros or lamb and veggie kebabs. Use in place of mayonnaise on sandwiches, subs, or salads!
• As a sauce, pour it over oven-baked chicken breasts or use on a classic potato salad! It’s also great on fish because of it’s mild, creamy flavor.

How Long Does Tzatziki Last in the Fridge?

Tzatziki should last 2-3 days in the refrigerator, but you’ll find so many amazing ways to use it up, it will be gone long before then! If stored longer, there is a risk that the garlic, which has extremely low acidity, may produce botulism, a serious toxin, and this is not a risk worth taking.

Can You Freeze Tzatziki? No. I mean technically yes you can but sadly this recipe doesn’t keep well in the freezer. The consistency changes and it becomes watery after freezing. It’s best made and eaten within about 5 days.

More Easy Dip Recipes

• 7 Layer Dip – Party favorite!
• Spicy Dill Dip – Great for veggies and crackers.
• Bacon Cheddar Dip – Classic flavor combo!
• Avocado Dip – Creamy and healthy.
• Buttermilk Ranch Dip – Great to dip appetizers.
• Easy Spinach Dip – Reader favorite dip recipe!
• Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes – Rich & Creamy!

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

4.9 from 29 votes

Review Recipe

Greek Tzatziki (Yogurt Cucumber Dip)

Prep Time 7 minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes

Chill Time 30 minutes

Total Time 37 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Author Holly Nilsson

Tzatziki sauce is bright and tangy, & best when served chilled! It’s deliciously fresh and easy to make!

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1 ½ cups plain yogurt
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 english cucumber
• ▢ 1 clove garlic minced
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dill fresh, finely chopped
• ▢ 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ▢ salt & pepper

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Instructions

• Peel, seed and shred cucumber.
• Juice lemon and set aside.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in cucumber.
• Allow flavors to blend at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve cold.

Recipe Notes

• Peeling (and seeding) the cucumber is optional
• If running low on plain yogurt, you can swap in some sour cream or greek yogurt.
• Fresh is best but you can use dried dill or garlic powder if it's what you have on hand.
• Keep in mind that dried spices are stronger than fresh, so start with less dried and increase to taste from there.
• Fresh lemon juice is best. Store bought can be substituted but will have a bit of a bitter flavor.
• Tzatziki should last 2-3 days in the refrigerator. If stored longer, there is a risk that the garlic, which has extremely low acidity, may produce botulism, a serious toxin, and this is not a risk worth taking. 

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.)

Keyword easy Greek tzatziki, how to make tzatziki, tzatziki, yogurt cucumber dip

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Greek

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