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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Appetizer / Easy Tzatziki Sauce

    Easy Tzatziki Sauce

    Published: May 19, 2019 · Modified: May 13, 2020 by Anna 7 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Easy Tzatziki Sauce - creamy sauce or dip made with cucumber, garlic, dill and Greek yogurt or sour cream. Perfect served with Greek chicken or with crispy pita chips.

    This sauce is quick and easy to make, just like my Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad or Greek Salmon Salad.

    Overhead shot of cucumber dip in bowl with red rim.

    Tzatziki sauce and my love for Greek food go way back. My Hubby and I were obsessed with Greek food when we were dating, over a decade ago. All we craved was Greek chicken smothered with this sauce and topped with fresh tomatoes, olives and packed into pita bread. So good!

    Now, we make this cucumber, dill and garlic deliciousness at home. If we don't use it as a sauce with chicken, we simply use it as a dip, served with crispy pita chips. It's absolutely delicious! You can also make it ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Ingredients:

    • cucumber
    • garlic
    • Greek yogurt
    • lemon juice
    • dill
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions:

    As with making any creamy, cold served dip or sauce, whipping up a Tzatziki sauce is really simple.

    • Start by preparing the cucumber: grate and squeeze the water out.
    • Measure out all ingredients and place in a bowl.
    • Mix everything together, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
    Grated cucumber, garlic, sour cream, herbs and spices in bowl.

    Storing:

    You can keep any leftovers in a covered container, in your fridge, for up to 2 days.

    Best tips:

    • cucumber: I recommend using English cucumbers as they have less water, they are mostly seedless and their skin is thinner so no need to peel it. If you are using plain cucumbers, I recommend peeling the waxy thick skin off.
    • garlic: fresh, grated will be the strongest so go small and add to taste. Minced, stored in olive oil will be fairly mellow (and that's what I used here) so you can use easily 2 teaspoons and add more to taste. The strength of garlic powder sometimes depends on the brand so start with 1 teaspoon and add more to taste.
    • Greek yogurt substitution: If you don't have Greek yogurt on hand, use sour cream. I recommend full fat.
    • dill:
    Side shot of pita chip dipped in tzatziki sauce in bowl.

    How to prevent cucumber dip from being watery?

    When making dips and sauces with cucumbers, there is one thing to remember: squeeze the cucumber of any excess moisture. It will make the sauce watery, especially after it sits in the fridge to chill. Place shredded cucumber on a double layer of paper towels or in a colander with small holes, and squeeze or press the juice out. You can use it in smoothies or cocktails or just simply drink it up.

    More Greek recipes:

    • Greek Salmon Salad
    • Easy Hummus without Tahini
    • Greek Salad with Barley
    • Greek Meatballs

    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

    Overhead shot of tzatziki sauce in bowl, with pita chips dipped.

    Easy Tzatziki Sauce

    Author: Anna
    Creamy sauce or dip made with cucumber, garlic, dill and Greek yogurt or sour cream. Perfect served with Greek chicken or with crispy pita chips.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 5 people
    Calories 61 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 English cucumber
    • 1 and 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
    • 3 tsp minced garlic see note
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 and 1/2 Tablespoon dried dill
    • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/4 tsp black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Grate cucumber and squeeze of any excess juice.
    • Place grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, dried dill, olive oil, salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Stir together well.
    • Cover bowl and place in fridge for at least 30 minutes.
    • Serve with Greek chicken or fish, tomatoes, olives and pita bread OR as a dip with baked pita chips.

    Notes

    You need to squeeze the cucumber of any excess moisture or the sauce will be watery, especially after it sits in the fridge to chill. I recommend using English cucumbers as they have less water, they are mostly seedless and their skin is thinner so no need to peel it. If you are using plain cucumbers, I recommend peeling the waxy thick skin off. Place shredded cucumber on a double layer of paper towels or in a colander with small holes, and squeeze or press the juice out. You can use it in smoothies or cocktails or just simply drink it up. 
    Garlic: fresh, grated will be the strongest so go small and add to taste. Minced, stored in olive oil will be fairly mellow (and that's what I used here) so you can use easily 2 teaspoons and add more to taste. The strength of garlic powder sometimes depends on the brand so start with 1 teaspoon and add more to taste. 
    If you don't have Greek yogurt on hand, use sour cream. I recommend full fat. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 234mg | Potassium: 88mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 3.4mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Stel says

      August 24, 2018 at 10:09 am

      how long can you keep this in the fridge?

      Reply
    2. Lina says

      October 17, 2017 at 4:19 pm

      5 stars
      Next time try adding a small grated pickle in this mix, I promise ti’s delicious!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        October 19, 2017 at 12:19 pm

        Oooo! That sounds interesting! I will have to try it for sure. Thank you, Lina!

        Reply
    3. Erin says

      August 27, 2017 at 8:57 pm

      Tzatziki is my favorite condiment! I've never made it before but now I want to try. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        August 30, 2017 at 10:29 pm

        I hope you love it, Erin! It's a favorite around here.

        Reply
    4. averie says

      August 26, 2017 at 5:18 pm

      Love Tzatziki! I could eat it by the spoonful! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        August 30, 2017 at 10:27 pm

        Thank you so much, Averie!

        Reply

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