Tzatziki Recipe

This authentic Tzatziki Recipe is homemade with grated cucumbers, fresh dill and plain greek yogurt. It’s creamy, delicious and great on more foods than just gyros!

It’s common knowledge that Tzatziki goes great on gyros, but there are so many additional options for this yummy Greek sauce. We love serving it with my Greek Chicken Gyros, Lamb Gyros, and Chickpea Gyros, but you can use it as a dip for fresh vegetables like cucumbers, carrots or celery or even pita chips. You can use it on falafel or in wraps or sandwiches! 

Why This Recipe Works

• Authentic tzatziki recipe. I’ve never been to Greece and had authentic tzatziki sauce, but if I were chilling on Santorini Island eating some authentic Greek food, my creamy sauce would measure up for sure! 
• Best tzatziki recipe. This is the authentic, real deal, best tasting Tzatziki I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot of Tzatziki at greek restaurants.
• So many ways to use tzatziki sauce. You can serve this delicious cucumber yogurt sauce on gyros, as a salad dressing, on wraps or sandwiches, with meat, or as a dip. 

Ingredient Notes

• Plain Greek Yogurt: Use low fat yogurt for low fat tzatziki. However, full-fat greek yogurt is also yummy. Either works! You’ll want the thick Greek yogurt though instead of regular yogurt. 
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The olive oil adds a nice flavor to the tzatziki sauce recipe. 
• Vinegar: I love using vinegar in this tzatziki recipe instead of fresh lemon juice because I feel like the lemon can overpower the cucumber and dill flavor. 
• Fresh Dill: If you don’t have fresh dill, you can use dried dill. I love using fresh herbs because you get a stronger flavor. 
• Fresh Cucumber: Be sure to fully wash the cucumber before grating it. You can leave the skin on. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients except for the cucumber. To a medium bowl combine 1 1/2 cups Plain Greek Yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, the minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix to combine. Store in the fridge overnight for best flavor (if desired). 
2. Remove excess water from the cucumbers. Take the grated cucumber and place in several layers of paper towels. Wring out any excess liquid over the sink. 
3. Add cucumber and dill. Add the drained cucumber and 1 tablespoon fresh dill. Stir to combine. Serve this cucumber sauce chilled! 

Recipe Tips

Letting the yogurt mixture sit in the fridge overnight will help the flavors deepen more. But if you don’t have time, it’s still delicious made same day. 

Use a box grater to grate the cucumber. 

Tzatziki dip is a great dipping sauce or spread when you are looking for a healthier option. 

You can use regular cucumbers or English cucumbers. English cucumber typically have less seeds (and smaller), and they tend to not have as bitter of an aftertaste. 

If you find the dip is too runny, removing the seeds from the cucumber next time will help eliminated excess moisture. 

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

You can make the homemade tzatziki sauce recipe days in advance. The tzatziki recipe will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

Store this recipe for greek tzatziki in an airtight container. 

While you can freeze this sauce, keep in mind the yogurt-based dip may separate once frozen and thawed. 

Recipe FAQs

Recipes to Serve with Tzatziki

• Healthy Chicken Wraps
• Greek Quesadillas
• Summer Fresh Greek Pasta Salad
• Lemon Honey Glazed Salmon
• Grilled Chicken