Refreshing, creamy, and perfect for any Mediterranean dish, Tzatziki sauce is a classic for a reason. Instead of buying it at the store, why not make it yourself, with nothing more than a few simple ingredients and some yogurt?
For more great tasty sauces, why not make this delicious Lemon Aioli? Or a flavorful Chimichurri Recipe instead?
Tzatziki Sauce
Tzatziki sauce is one of those really specific recipes that is often considered super authentic when you get it in Turkish and Greek restaurants. They often bring it out in this giant serving container and lavish your plate with it, and you feel like you are eating something prestigious and super interesting.
However, Tzatziki sauce is basically just a flavored yogurt, and there is nothing stopping you from making it all by yourself at home!
Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients
Make sure you look at the recipe card at the very bottom for the exact amounts so that you know exactly what to buy for this recipe.
• Cucumber
• Greek yogurt
• Dill
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Salt
• Mint
How To Make Tzatziki Sauce
• Grate your cucumber and place it on paper towels and gently squeeze out the liquid and then place it in a medium bowl
• Add the Greek yogurt, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt, stirring to blend well
• Chill in the fridge at least an hour for the flavors to completely infuse
The Most Important Ingredients In A Tzatziki Sauce
This recipe, just like pretty much all sauces, is fully customizable and adaptable based on your preferences.
If you like it more acidic, saltier, or even just more interesting flavorings, you can definitely add whatever you feel like adding. For example, why not try adding a touch of cumin to make it have a bit more flavor depth, or even some chili pepper like cayenne to add some spiciness?
However, no matter what you do, make sure that you are sticking to the three core ingredients of Tzatziki sauce: Greek yogurt, mint, and lemon juice.
All of the other ingredients (besides salt, of course) are adaptable and changeable, but it is these three ingredients that give this sauce its key flavor and texture.
Fresh mint can actually be a bit hard to come by sometimes, but if you struggle to find it in your local grocery store, consider going to a local shop, especially if you happen to have a local Greek store or even a Turkish or Balkan foods store.
If you still struggle, try looking at garden centers or anywhere that sells plants; they will be bound to sell at least some mint plants.
Plus, if you get the whole plant, you can plant it and enjoy mint during the year! Just keep in mind that mint is a super invasive plant – if you plant it in your garden into the soil, expect your entire garden to be dominated by mint in 5 years!
Plant it in a pot or strong container, and you should be fine.
Could You Use Low Fat Yogurt Or Olive Oil To Save On Calories For This Recipe
There is always a temptation to try and save a few calories when making something particularly rich and calorific, and this recipe might seem like a good candidate to try and save a few calories.
However, definitely don’t try and skimp here – this is a recipe all about richness and luxuriant textures.
If you try and get rid of some of the olive oil or try and use low-fat Greek yogurt, you are just going to end up with a dip that tastes lackluster and lacking in texture and flavor.
Instead, try and just use a little bit less Tzatziki sauce whenever you plan on eating it. It will definitely pain you not to eat it by the spoonful, but it is really the only way to avoid some of the calories in this surprisingly rich dip.
Looking for more delicious Marinades, Sauces & Salad Dressings recipes? Try these out:
Happy Cooking
Love,
Karlynn
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Tzatziki
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cucumber (finely grated )
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon dill (Fresh chopped if available)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic (fresh minced or pressed)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon mint Chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Grate your cucumber and place it on paper towel and gently squeeze out the liquid. Place it in a medium bowl.
- Add the Greek yogurt, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Stir to blend ingredients.
- Chill in the fridge at least an hour for the flavors to fully infuse.
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