Greek Tzatziki Recipe
Get a taste of the Mediterranean with this cool, creamy Greek Tzatziki Recipe! It’s perfect served with grilled meats, pita bread or veggies, and it comes together in just 10 minutes!
I love Mediterranean food year round, but summer is one of the best times to enjoy it because it’s packed with fresh summer produce and it’s bursting with flavor.
My Greek chicken souvlaki is one of my favorite things to throw on the grill, and it has to be accompanied by this cool, creamy Greek tzatziki recipe.
This classic Greek recipe consists of thick Greek yogurt, freshly grated cucumber, garlic, fresh lemon juice, dill and olive oil, and it’s amazing served as a sauce with grilled meats, burgers, or as a dip for veggies and pita chips.
It’s versatile, so easy to prepare, and is the ultimate summer recipe!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- This easy Greek tzatziki sauce is cool, creamy and bursting with fresh flavor.
- It’s a healthy, high protein snack or condiment that comes together in about 10 minutes.
- This recipe is extremely versatile! It may be used as accompaniment for meats, a topping for bowls or as a dip for pita chips and veggies.
- It’s a great make ahead recipe for entertaining or meal prep.
Recipe ingredients
- Greek yogurt. Be sure to use full fat plain Greek yogurt for ultra creamy tzatziki. Fage is my all time favorite brand.
- Cucumber. English cucumber is my favorite variety to use because it’s seedless. Simply grate the cucumber, salt it, and allow it drain for 5-10 minutes before adding it to the Greek yogurt. This step should not be skipped as it will prevent the tzatziki dip from becoming watery.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic adds great flavor, but you may use a teaspoon of garlic powder in a pinch.
- Lemon juice. For best results, use fresh lemon juice as bottled does not have the same fresh flavor.
- Dill. Fresh dill really makes this recipe shine. Fresh oregano or mint are good substitutes.
- Olive oil. Authentic tzatziki recipes include olive oil, which is either mixed into the yogurt or simply drizzled over the top. While it’s optional, it provides a rich, silky texture and it balances out the acidity in the Greek yogurt and lemon juice.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make this authentic tzatziki recipe
This authentic tzatziki recipe is so easy to make. It includes just a few ingredients and comes together in about 10 minutes.
Pro tip: It’s important to salt and drain the grated cucumber to prevent the tzatziki from becoming watery.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Grate the cucumber.
- Toss the grated cucumber with a pinch of salt and place in a fine mesh sieve for 5-10 minutes. Squeeze the excess water from the cucumber and place in a medium bowl.
- Place the Greek yogurt, lemon, dill, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Stir to combine. Drizzle with olive oil or mix the olive oil into the tzatziki.
Recipe FAQs
Tzatziki is a classic Greek dip or sauce made with plain Greek yogurt, cucumber, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and dill.
Plain Greek yogurt is the best choice for this Greek tzatziki recipe as it is nice and thick, creamy in texture and a tangy flavor. Use full fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest texture.
Watery tzatziki results from inadequately drained cucumber. Be sure to salt the grated cucumber lightly and drain in a colander for 5-10 minutes, then squeeze out any excess liquid prior to adding it to the yogurt.
It will keep for up to 3-4 days in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
Serving suggestions
Greek tzatziki sauce is a versatile dip, sauce or spread that may be served as follows:
- Serve as a dip with crunchy veggies and pita chips or pita bread
- Dollop over grain salads such as Greek quinoa salad.
- It’s a great sauce for Greek chicken souvlaki and grilled turkey burgers. It also works great with as a garnish for grilled vegetables.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: It’s important to salt and drain the grated cucumber to prevent the tzatziki from becoming watery.
- Use full fat Greek yogurt for the best tzatziki!
- Be sure to use fresh dill and garlic in this recipe for maximum flavor.
- Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The yogurt will separate, simply stir and enjoy!
More Greek recipes you’ll love
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Greek Tzatziki Dip
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup grated cucumber
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt use 5% Greek yogurt for richer taste
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill add up to 1 tablespoon more as desired
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for garnish
Instructions
- Toss the grated cucumber with a pinch of salt and place in a fine mesh sieve for 5-10 minutes. Squeeze the excess water from the cucumber and place in a medium bowl.1/2 cup grated cucumber
- Add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, dill, garlic and salt and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- Place the tzatziki sauce in a serving bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Serve and enjoy!1 tablespoon olive oil
Notes
- Pro tip: Use full fat Greek yogurt for the best tzatziki! Drain the yogurt in a cheesecloth lined sieve over a bowl overnight in the refrigerator for extra thick and rich yogurt.
- Be sure to use fresh dill and garlic in this recipe for maximum flavor.
- Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The yogurt will separate, simply stir and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
54 Comments on “Greek Tzatziki Recipe”
Tzatziki goes perfectly as a refreshing accompaniment with grilled lamb or chicken.
It certainly does!
We love tzatziki here, Marcie – it’s so refreshing, and pairs perfectly with meats. We sometimes even eat it as a dip – perfect with some veggies or crackers. Thanks for sharing your recipe, it looks perfectly delicious!
Thanks Katerina, and I’m glad to hear that you love it as much as I do!
One of our favourites! So delicious, and so many ways to use this – yum!
I can never get enough of this! Thank you Alexandra. 🙂
Tzatski dip is one of my favorites and I can’t get over how unbelievably gorgeous this looks, Marcie! This would be SO good with chicken skewers!
Thank you so much Sarah! This is the perfect time of year to enjoy bowl after bowl!
Tazatziki is my all-time favorite, especially in the summertime because of cooling the cucumber and yogurt are together. Love your simple flavor-packed version!
I don’t make tzatziki often enough! I have cucumber coming out my ears right now so this is the perfect thing to make at the moment. 🙂
We were JUST thinking about doing a Greek themed dinner and talking about making tzatziki. I’ll definitely give your recipe a try!
Yay! I can’t wait to hear about your dinner! 🙂
I mean, screw the meat, I would eat this with a spoon as a snack! OK, so I would eat it with meat too, but I adore anything with dill so tzatziki is my all-time favorite dip. I can’t wait to make this and dunk everything I can find in it!
I hear you…I don’t need the meat, just the souvlaki! 🙂 The fresh dill is what truly puts this over the top!
I absolutely love tzatziki, especially the homemade kind, for some reason the store-bought ones always taste watery and bland. Yours looks absolutely PERFECT, Marcie! I will definitely be eating this straight from a bowl with a shovel! YUM! Pinning! Cheers!
I agree — the store bought varieties don’t taste as fresh! Thanks Cheyanne! 🙂
I’m such a fan of tzatziki dip – I think it’s the combo of fresh lemon and dill that I adore! I’m not sure why I don’t make it at home, so I am definitely going to try your recipe out.
Thanks Nicole! 🙂
I’ve never made my own tzatziki but it’s definitely on my list to try. This one looks so fresh and creamy! As for your Whole Foods addiction, I’m with you. We don’t have one where I live so last year when I travelled to Minneapolis, I visited Whole Foods everyday. The food that I bought back in my suitcase was ridiculous!!
It sounds like you made the most out of your Whole Foods trips too! 🙂
This dip sounds glorious! Love the cucumber in it! I just might need to make this all summer long! 🙂
It’s definitely the most refreshing dip in the summer heat! Thanks, Jocelyn! 🙂
This is one of my favorite dips Marcie and I love your recipe! Pinned!
Thank you, Deb, and I appreciate the pin! Have a great evening. 🙂
I love Tzatziki Sauce. I’ve only made it a few times, but every single time, I think “why don’t I make this more often!”. This recipe looks awesome Marcie! And as far as Whole Foods – I don’t have one near me, or I think I’d be spending more time there too! 🙂
That’s exactly what I think every time I make tzatziki — why don’t I make this more? It’s wormed it’s way into my mainstay dips this time — it’s too easy and too good to forget about. Have a great night, Kristi! 🙂