If you love creamy sauces with a fresh, cool flavor, this easy tzatziki sauce recipe is for you. It's made with just a few simple ingredients, but it tastes like something you'd get at a Greek restaurant. Fresh cucumber gives it a crisp, clean taste, and the full-fat Greek yogurt makes it extra creamy and rich. What really makes this homemade tzatziki sauce special are the fresh herbs-especially mint and dill-that bring everything to life.
This quick Greek yogurt sauce is perfect when you need something fast but flavorful. It takes only about 10 minutes to make, and you don't need any fancy tools.
I love serving this easy homemade tzatziki sauce with Greek chicken meatballs, grilled chicken, pita bread, or even as a dip for veggies. It's also great with Middle Eastern dishes like falafel or shawarma. Once you try this homemade version, you might never go back to store-bought tzatziki again!
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Ingredients for Tzatziki Sauce:
To make this tzatziki sauce truly delicious, you'll only need a handful of fresh and simple ingredients.
- Whole Greek yogurt - This is the base of the sauce. It's thick, creamy, and gives the tzatziki that rich, tangy flavor you expect. Using full-fat yogurt makes it extra smooth and satisfying.
- Fresh Persian cucumber - These cucumbers are crisp and slightly sweet. Grate them finely and be sure to squeeze out any extra water so the sauce doesn't get watery. They give tzatziki that cool, refreshing bite.
- Fresh dill - Adds a classic herbal flavor that pairs perfectly with cucumber and yogurt. It gives the sauce that unmistakable Greek taste.
- Fresh mint leaves - A small amount of mint adds a light, fresh note and balances the tang of the yogurt and vinegar.
- Kosher salt - Just a pinch helps bring out all the flavors. Kosher salt melts into the sauce evenly and gives a cleaner taste than table salt.
- White vinegar - Adds a gentle tang and helps brighten the whole sauce. You can also use lemon juice as a swap, but vinegar gives it a subtle sharpness.
- Fresh garlic - A little goes a long way. It adds a bold, savory flavor that makes tzatziki so addictive.
- Extra virgin olive oil - Just a drizzle adds richness and ties all the ingredients together. It also gives the sauce a silky finish.
How to Make Homemade Tzatziki Sauce:
Making homemade tzatziki sauce is super easy. Here's how to do it:
Grate the persian cucumber
Grate the Persian cucumber, sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of salt, and let sit for 15-30 minutes. Wrap in a clean towel or paper towels and squeeze out excess liquid to keep the sauce from getting watery.
Mix the ingredients
In a medium bowl, add the whole Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, chopped mint, grated, garlic, white vinegar, olive oil, and a pinch of kosher salt. Give the sauce a good mix until everything is well combined.
taste and Adjust
Give it a taste and add more salt, garlic, or herbs if you like. You can also add a little more vinegar for extra tang. For best flavor, cover the bowl and let the sauce chill in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving. This gives the flavors time to blend together.
Tips for Making the Best Tzatziki Sauce:
These little tips will help you make a tzatziki sauce that's just right for you!
- If you're not a fan of the strong taste of fresh herbs like dill or mint, feel free to skip them or add less. The sauce will still taste great with just cucumber and garlic!
- Always squeeze out as much water as possible from the grated cucumber to keep your sauce thick and creamy.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the richest, creamiest texture. Low-fat versions can make the sauce thinner.
- Let the sauce chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors mix and develop fully.
- Adjust the garlic and salt to your taste-some like it stronger, others milder.
How to Store Leftover Tzatziki Sauce:
Got leftovers? Tzatziki stores really well!
- Refrigerate it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Give it a quick stir before serving again, since it might separate a little over time.
- Don't freeze it-because it's made with yogurt and cucumber, freezing can change the texture and make it watery when thawed.
- If it looks too thick after chilling, you can stir in a tiny splash of olive oil or lemon juice to loosen it up.
That's it! It's the kind of dip that gets even better the next day.
📖 Recipe
Easy Homemade Tzatziki Sauce with Fresh Cucumber and Greek Yogurt
Equipment
- a grater
- a mixing bowl
- a clean kitchen towel
- a spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 1 cup finely grated Persian cucumber (from about 3 pieces of Persian cucumber)
- 3 garlic cloves (grate) use less or more to your liking
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped mint
- a pinch of freshly chopped dill leaves (for serving)
Method
- Grate the Persian cucumber and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of salt. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes in a mesh strainer set over a bowl. Then, wrap the cucumber in a clean towel or paper towels and squeeze out the excess liquid to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.
- In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, drained cucumber, mint, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix well until fully combined.
- Taste and adjust with more salt, garlic, or herbs if needed. Chill for 15-30 minutes to let flavors meld (optional). Sprinkle with fresh dill before serving, if using.
Rika says
This is my favorite healthy sauce to serve with both meat and vegetarian main dishes—easy to make and full of flavor!