Home ยป Recipes ยป Appetizers ยป Authentic Greek Tzatziki Sauce

Authentic Greek Tzatziki Sauce

This yogurt-based tzatziki sauce is tangy and creamy. The perfect dip for Mediterranean dishes, itโ€™s as easy as pie and only takes 10 minutes!

Okay, before I proceed to rave about this Greek godsend, letโ€™s say this together: Tzatziki is pronounced sat-see-kee

Not tuh-za tuh-zi-kee, nope. Sat-see-kee.

I had to learn that the hard way. Oh, if you could just see the waiters trying to stifle a smile for all the times I proudly requested โ€œmore of that delicious tuh-za tuh-zi-kee for my kabobsโ€. 

It wasnโ€™t until I was on the phone later that night, telling a friend how darn good it was, when she laughed, โ€œYou know itโ€™s pronounced sat-see-kee, right?โ€ LOL. 

I never made that mistake again. 

Anyway, if youโ€™ve never tried tzatziki, I implore you to give it a try. It comes together in less than 10 minutes, and tastes heavenly! A true godsend. 

Thereโ€™s absolutely no heat or real cooking involved and plus point: that means less to clean up, too ๐Ÿ˜‰ 

Tzatziki is a mixture of Greek yogurt and the freshest ingredients like cucumber, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs. Itโ€™s got the zest and lusciousness of sour cream, except better! 

Have it as a kabob dip or a flatbread spread. Itโ€™s always able to add little zing to any Mediterranean meal (which is already amazing on its own) like this feta turkey burger. 

Now do you see why I am obsessed with tzatziki! Are we on the same page yet?! 

Is Tzatziki Healthy?

Tzatziki is hands-down, WAY healthier than most other sauces. Unlike sauces that are heavily processed, and full of artificial flavoring and sodium โ€“ *cough* Mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, and mustard *cough* โ€“ this cucumber yogurt dip is definitely the healthier option.

Itโ€™s also keto-friendly, gluten-free, and low-calorie. Most of its calories come from Greek yogurt (strained yogurt) and olive oil, which are still pretty good sources of protein and healthy fats. Then, thereโ€™s the addition of whole fresh produce like lemon, loads of cucumber, and garlic. What more could we ask for? 

That doesnโ€™t mean we should have it every day at every single meal, though! Too much of something isnโ€™t healthy, and besides, youโ€™ll get bored having tzatziki sauce every day. Balance puts the โ€˜keyโ€™ in tzatziki. 

Recipe Ingredients

This recipe will make about 3 cups worth of tzatziki sauce. Feel free to double or even triple it to yield more sauce! (See Storage Instructions for meal-prep suggestions.) 

To make this easy tzatziki recipe, we will need:

  • Cucumber โ€“ Grate one medium cucumber using a box grater. Grating the cucumber is a workout in itself (your personal trainer will be proud). But the really challenging bit is to squeeze the cucumber and remove every last drop of water. Any excess water in tzatziki will create separate layers of yogurt and water. 
  • Greek yogurt โ€“ Plain Greek yogurt is the base for all tzatziki, but this recipe calls for thick, whole milk Greek yogurt. Iโ€™m a sucker for its super creamy texture! 
  • Lemon juice โ€“ Tzatziki gets its refreshing and zesty flavor thanks to freshly squeezed lemon juice. 
  • Extra-virgin olive oil โ€“ This will loosen up the texture of tzatziki and make it easier to stir. Of course, you can also use regular olive oil. 
  • Garlic โ€“ A staple ingredient in Mediterranean dishes. I love minced garlic and the subtle nutty flavor it brings. 
  • Sea salt โ€“ Season to taste. Feel free to replace it with regular table salt or kosher salt. 
  • Chopped dill โ€“ Fresh dill is preferred for its herby aroma, but of course, dry dill is also fine. 
Tzatziki sauce ingredientsย | cookingwithcassandra.com

Best Ways To Use This Sauce

Tzatziki is very versatile, acting as a condiment for a variety of dishes (usually best with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisines). Here are some of the best ways to use this sauce!

Use this easy tzatziki recipe as a dip for:

  • Grilled chicken kabobs
  • Vegetable kabobs (with mushrooms, bell peppers, corn, onions, or asparagus)
  • Raw vegetables (celery, baby carrots, or cherry tomatoes)
  • Pita bread, naan, or flatbread
  • Cheese and crackers

You can also spread tzatziki as a dressing for dishes like: 

  • Greek salad
  • Tabbouleh
  • Mediterranean chicken salad 
  • Pasta salad
  • Sandwiches
  • Burgers

Storage Instructions

Have leftover tzatziki from your Greek family feast? I hope no one double-dipped! 

Keep your tzatziki at its best consistency and flavor even after some time. 

Chilled tzatziki โ€“ Chilled tzatziki keeps fresh for up to five days, making it easy to grab and go whenever you feel like a quick bite. Store it in a container with a tight-fitting lid and chill. Since tzatziki is usually served cold, it does not need to be thawed to room temperature. 

Frozen tzatziki โ€“ You can definitely make tzatziki in large batches and keep them in the freezer for meal-prepping. Theyโ€™re great for midday snacks, whether youโ€™re packing them with you to the gym or to work. 

I recommend dividing the sauce into individual portions. This will make things a lot easier when you want to thaw just a small amount to be used. 

Place it in a container with a tight-fitting lid and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw tzatziki, simply keep it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight until it melts into a creamy consistency. Dollop some more Greek yogurt and stir well if the tzatziki has lost its creaminess. 


Looking for more easy sauce recipes? Check out my homemade caesar salad dressing, the best pico de gallo salsa, and this quick guacamole recipe!

Tzatziki mixtureย | cookingwithcassandra.com

Tzatziki Recipe

This yogurt-based tzatziki sauce is tangy and creamy. The perfect dip for Mediterranean dishes, itโ€™s as easy as pie and only takes 10 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 ยฝ cups grated cucumber from about 1 medium cucumber
  • 2 cups thick whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons chopped dill

Instructions

  • Start by grating the cucumber, using your cheese grater.
  • Next, the most essential step for making a creamy tzatziki โ€“ squeeze the water out of the grated cucumber. Do not skip this step as the water from the cucumber will cause your tzatziki to separate and become watery. Place the cucumber on a towel (or paper towel) and gently squeeze out the excess water directly over the sink.
  • Lastly, stir everything together! In a medium bowl, combine the squeezed cucumber with the yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, salt, and dill. Chill until ready to use.
Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I’m Cassandra!

ย Iโ€™m so happy youโ€™re here! Iโ€™m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Letโ€™s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Featured On

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up for free recipes straight to your inbox:

Unsubscribe at any time.

sun

Summer Cravings

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Close-up of stacked zucchini chocolate chip muffins with golden edges, chocolate chips, and flecks of zucchini.

Zucchini chocolate chip muffins are everywhere on the internetโ€”but this is the recipe Iโ€™ve tested over and over until I could confidently say: these are better than any bakery muffin Iโ€™ve ever had. They rise high, stay moist for days, and have the perfect balance of cozy spice, melty chocolate, and fluffy texture without being oily or too sweet. ย Plus, theyโ€™re super quick and easy to make! What makes this version different? No squeezing the zucchini, no watery batter, and no flat tops. The secret is the high-heat oven start (for a big rise) and just the right combo of brown sugar and oil...

Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas

Sheet pan chicken quesadillas sliced with melted cheese, refried beans, and shredded chicken being served on a serving turner

I love a good quesadilla, but standing over a skillet flipping them one by one while everyone else is already eating? Not exactly my idea of a good time. Thatโ€™s why these Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas are such a game-changer. They bake all at once, slice beautifully, and the best part? I get to sit down and enjoy them with everyone else. It might just be the easiest, most crowd-pleasing appetizer Iโ€™ve ever made. These chicken quesadillas are crispy, cheesy, packed with flavor, and made to feed a crowdโ€”no stovetop required. This isnโ€™t your average Tuesday-night quesadilla situation. Itโ€™s...

Lemon Bars Recipe

Close-up of a thick lemon bar with a buttery shortbread crust and vibrant lemon filling, dusted with powdered sugar and surrounded by lemon wedges.

Who else LOVES lemon bars?! For me, theyโ€™re one of my all-time favorite dessertsโ€”bright, tangy, buttery perfection. This lemon bars recipe is one Iโ€™ve tested to perfection, made with an easy, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust and a smooth lemon filling that strikes just the right balance of sweet and tart. I love a generous bite, which is why I created this recipe in a 9x9-inch pan, giving you that perfect ratio of thick lemon filling to buttery crust. If life gives you lemons, this is the recipe to make. Whether youโ€™re bringing dessert to a spring brunch, prepping for a holiday tray,...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundlesย | cookingwithcassandra.com

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party.  Iโ€™ll be honest: it doesnโ€™t look like much at first, and itโ€™s definitely not as tantalizing as a colorful berry salad. But donโ€™t be fooled, one bite into this asparagus with puff pastry and youโ€™ll be amazed: glazed with honey, oozing with the best cheese mixture, and simply robust asparagus, this is definitely going to be one of the most memorable dishes youโ€™ll ever have.  It is very similar to cheesy asparagus tarts, except this one has already been apportioned and is shaped...

Free E-Cookbook!

Cooking dinner doesnโ€™t have to take all night. Subscribe & receive my favourite 10 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes in an easy e-cookbook format!

You Might Also Like

The Best Pasta alla Vodka

Thereโ€™s something about a big bowl of creamy Pasta alla Vodka that just speaks to my soulโ€”especially when the sauce is rich, garlicky, and clings...

The Best Pasta alla Vodka

Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken

If youโ€™re craving a quick and easy one-pan meal thatโ€™s bursting with flavor, this creamy lemon chicken is just what you need! In just 25...

Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken

Easy Steak Marinade

How do you like your steak done? Cooking steak to a certain degree of doneness is hands-down one of the hardest things for me to...

Easy Steak Marinade

๎‚š

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cookingwithcassandra on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithcassandra

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I'm Cassandra!

ย Iโ€™m so happy youโ€™re here! Iโ€™m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Letโ€™s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up for free recipes straight to your inbox:

Unsubscribe at any time.

Free E-Cookbook!

Cooking dinner doesnโ€™t have to take all night. Subscribe & receive my favourite 10 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes in an easy e-cookbook format!

Jujeh kabab - Eating | cookingwithcassandra.com

Get the Inside

Scoop

Be the first to receive free e-books, recipes, inspiration, and exclusive extras you wonโ€™t want to miss!

We wonโ€™t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.