If you enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, tzatziki sauce is the perfect complement. If you haven’t tried it yet, you must give this quick and easy sauce a go!
What is Tzatziki sauce
Tzaziki is another sauce based on thick yogurt from Mediterranean countries. There are different versions of it, depending on the country of origin. The most popular is the version with yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, and dill. Sometimes, we also come across a version with mint added.
The version with mint is very popular in Turkey, but in this version, Turks sprinkle it with sumac, similar to Labneh.
In Bulgaria, a similar recipe sprinkled with walnuts makes a cold soup served on hot days. I ate it and was delighted with it. Ideally, in my version, I will replace the walnuts with pecans, which I love.
There are as many ideas for tzatziki as there are countries. My version of the recipe is simple and tasty, and now you can invite it to your home, too.
How to choose the best ingredients for Tzatziki
Greek Yogurt: If you don’t have Greek Yogurt, don’t worry. You can make it yourself from regular natural Yogurt. However, make sure it’s good quality yogurt, with only milk and live bacteria cultures. Strain the natural yogurt for 6 hours, and it will take on the consistency of Greek Yogurt, perfect for Tzatziki.
Cucumber: Whether I peel a cucumber depends on the quality of the cucumber I have at home. If it has thin skin, I wash it thoroughly and do not peel it; if it has thick skin, I peel it before grating it on a grater.
Garlic: Is best when fresh because it has a distinct flavor and aroma.
Olive oil: Choose the best one from the first pressing, I love olive oils from Greece or Italy but I also wouldn’t mind the one from Spain. Choose your best one!
Tips and Tricks Tzatziki
- I prefer making this sauce in just one bowl to minimize the number of dishes used while cooking. Follow my step-by-step instructions, and I’ll walk you through the recipe.
- The juice from the squeezed cucumber is great for making refreshing water. You can enhance it with lemon juice, honey, and mint, making it perfect for hot days. Additionally, the juice can be used in smoothies, particularly green ones like the Green Smoothie Fat Burn with Kale, Healthy Green Smoothie, or Fat Burning Detox Green Smoothie with Spinach.
Sides To Serve Tzatziki Sauce
You can serve Tzatziki with naan bread and pita, or it is ideal for fresh or grilled vegetables such as peppers, carrots, eggplant, and zucchini. Roasted, grilled meat and burgers as a sauce or addition are also ideal for toasted French bread or sourdough bread.
Tzatziki Sauce Step-by-Step Instructions
Tzatziki is a quick and easy sauce for all kinds of dishes. It has a creamy, yogurt flavor, and the flavors of fresh cucumber, garlic, and dill mix.
So, let’s start this adventure with a super easy recipe.
You will need a bowl, a large strainer, a coarse grater, a chopping board, and a good knife. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Peel or grate the cucumbers whole, then add salt and apple cider vinegar. This helps the cucumbers release their juice quickly, which speeds up the tzatziki sauce-making process. The more we squeeze the cucumbers, the less watery the sauce will be, resulting in a creamier consistency.
Step 2: Wait 2-3 minutes, then strain the cucumbers in a fine sieve. Transfer the cucumbers to a sieve and strain them over the same bowl.
Step 3: Pour the cucumber juice into a glass or jar for later use in delicious cucumber-based smoothies.
Step 4: Then return the drained cucumbers to the bowl.
Step 5: Add the Greek Yogurt
Step 6: Add the minced garlic.
Step 7: Mix well, then add the olive oil.
Enjoy!
How to store Tzatziki
It’s best to prepare Tzatziki sauce 30 minutes in advance so that all the ingredients can blend and the garlic can become stronger. If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for 2-3 days in a tightly closed container to prevent the yogurt from drying out. When you take it out, the water will separate from the yogurt, but you just need to mix it well to combine everything again. I love tzatziki sauce and often make it in large quantities, so I have tested storing it in the fridge.
Substitute for Tzatziki Sauce
Any sauce made with yogurt and sour cream can be a substitute. One suggestion is Crispy smashed potatoes with yogurt dip or Labneh.
You can also make tzatziki from vegetarian yogurt; it will taste good, too.
Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 long cucumber
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 3 kosher salt
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill (can be frozen)
Instructions
- Peel or grate the cucumbers whole, then add salt and apple cider vinegar. This helps the cucumbers release their juice quickly, which speeds up the tzatziki sauce-making process. The more we squeeze the cucumbers, the less watery the sauce will be, resulting in a creamier consistency.
- Wait 2-3 minutes, then strain the cucumbers in a fine sieve. Transfer the cucumbers to a sieve and strain them over the same bowl.
- Pour the cucumber juice into a glass or jar for later use in delicious cucumber-based smoothies.
- Then return the drained cucumbers to the bowl.
- Add the yogurt, chopped garlic, and chopped dill to the strained cucumbers. Mix well, then add the olive oil.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
FAQ
What type of yogurt is best?
Greek yogurt is ideal for tzatziki due to its thickness and creamy texture. If you use regular yogurt, strain it using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to remove excess liquid and achieve a thicker consistency.
Can I make Tzatziki in advance?
Yes, you can make tzatziki ahead of time! It will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just stir it well before serving as some liquid may separate.
Is Tzatziki gluten-free?
Yes, tzatziki is naturally gluten-free, as long as the yogurt and other ingredients are gluten-free (which they typically are).
How do I prevent the Tzatziki from being watery?
Grate the cucumber and then squeeze out the excess moisture by pressing it between paper towels or using a cheesecloth. This step is key to preventing a watery dip.
Can I freeze Tzatziki?
Freezing is not recommended, as yogurt tends to separate and change texture when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or after being stored in the fridge for a few days.
Is Tzatziki keto?
Yes, Tzatziki sauce is a keto dish, but it depends on what you serve it with. If it is grilled or roasted meat, then tzatziki sauce fits perfectly into the keto or low-carb diet assumptions.
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